THE HAWK REPORT...

[Henry Hawk]

In the wake of the recent cold-blooded murder of two NYCPD cops, Ferguson and Eric Gardner, I have been hesitant to put my thoughts to words.  I just read a response by Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs guy).

I believe he sums it all up perfectly on how I feel about it.

Here it is: Responding to a question from a girl named Meghan about a riot in SF over these incidents,

Last week, those very protests blocked off one of the major arteries, and as a result, I was 90 minutes late to a holiday dinner in Alameda. I apologized for my tardiness, and was told by my hostess not to give it a second thought. "It's a small price to pay," she said, "given all that's at stake." Another guest, already well into the eggnog, wondered aloud if a heart attack victim waiting for an ambulance stuck in traffic might hold a different view?Within moments, everyone was talking about Garner and Brown, and the conversation got very political very quickly.

A liberal guest said, "Look, I wasn't there, but it seems pretty clear that both men would still be alive had they been white." A conservative guest replied, "I wasn't there either, but it seems pretty clear that both men would still be alive if they hadn't resisted arrest."This annoyed the liberal, who asked the conservative why Republicans wanted a "police state." This annoyed the conservative, who asked the liberal why Democrats wanted "total anarchy."

Things continued to escalate, and within moments, fingers were pointing, veins were bulging, and logical fallacies were filling the air. Ho! ho! ho!For once, I kept my mouth shut and listened as a roomful of decent people tore each others throats out.

It was remarkable, because no one disagreed on the big points. No one disagreed that black lives mattered just as much as white lives. No one disputed that racial bias in law enforcement should be exposed and eliminated. In fact, no one disagreed about the basic facts surrounding each case. The breakdown happened over relevance and context.My conservative friends were focused on the fact that both men died while resisting arrest, and were therefor responsible for their own demise.

They wanted to discuss the killings in light of the incredible risk that all police officers agree to assume.My liberal friends were focused on the fact that both men were unarmed, and were therefor victims of excessive force.

They wanted to discuss the killings in the context of historical trends that suggest bias plays a recurring role in the way cops treat minorities.By dessert, it was clear that both sides wanted law and order. But the conservatives were convinced that order is only possible when citizens treat cops with respect. Liberals, on the other hand, were arguing that order can only occur when cops treat everyone the same. And round and round we went. The chicken and the egg.

Later, on the drive home, I called a friend of mine back in Baltimore. He's black, successful, and hard-working. He also resents the way he's gotten swept into the zeitgeist of Ferguson. In his words, "I'm a pawn in someone else's agenda, and I'm sick of it. I know what bias looks like in my life. I'm tired of being represented by two petty criminals who died resisting arrest."I hadn't thought about it like that, but he's got a point.

The vast majority of black Americans have never broken the law. And yet, millions of lives are now entwined with the death of Brown and Garner. That's not fair, but it's hardly breaking news. Minorities are constantly stereotyped and the impression lingers. Looters and arsonists run amok, and Black America suffers the association.

Now I'm trying to get my head around the fact that two cops are dead in Brooklyn, assassinated by a lunatic in "retaliation" for Ferguson and Staten Island. Unbelievable.How much worse can it get for the millions of law-abiding minorities, struggling to be seen as individuals? How much worse can it get for the thousands of honest cops, trying to protect a citizenry that doesn't seem to appreciate their daily sacrifice?

A few days ago, people were marching in the streets, literally calling for the execution of police. ("What do we want? Dead Cops!") Others are standing by today, waiting to lionize the assassins who answer the call. These are not the champions of justice; these are the enemies of civilization, and it's up to sensible people on both sides of the aisle to close ranks and shout them down.

If we want to live in a nation of laws, we need to support the humans sworn to uphold them. They're a lot of really great cops out there who have promised to do that very thing, including the one in my family. We'd be screwed without them.

To answer your question Meghan, I support peaceful protests, and I'm all for rooting out bad cops. But let's not stop there. If we're serious about saving lives, and eliminating the confrontations that lead to the demise of Garner and Brown, let's also condemn the stupidity that leads so many Americans to resist arrest. I don't care if you're white, black, red, periwinkle, burnt umber, or chartreuse – resisting arrest is not a right, it's a crime. And it's never a good idea.

Mike

[Bo D]

 

[Purplelady1040]

 
Very well said!

[me]

 

[Y]

I'd lay money it's fiction - a story created to make the author's point...which is simplistic RW propaganda.

[Bo D]

I'd lay money it's fiction - a story created to make the author's point...which is simplistic RW propaganda.

I tried to find evidence that is was fiction, but as far as I can tell, it's true.

And I still agree with it. 

[Henry Hawk]

 I absolutely support the right to assemble and protest. That's an American tradition protected by the First Amendment. However there is no right to:

1) Block our streets and highways, causing suffering for innocent motorists who are simply trying to get somewhere.

2) Damage property, including police cars. We pay dearly for those, so leave them alone.

3) Attack police officers who are simply doing their duty.

I, for one, am fed up with these useless parasitical agitators and I am for a return to water cannons and incarceration for anyone who does any these things for at least six months. Why are we tolerating this?

[Locutus]

Why do you think they're protesting Hank?

Honest answer please. 

[Henry Hawk]

Why do you think they're protesting Hank?

Honest answer please. 

Because they lost. Period.  This generation want's free stuff.  They thought they was going to get more free stuff.....now they THINK the world is coming to an end because of Trump.

At a minimum, at least wait until he has done something wrong.......so far, he hasn't hurt a damn person or thing.

[Palehorse]

. . .

I, for one, am fed up with these useless parasitical agitators and I am for a return to water cannons and incarceration for anyone who does any these things for at least six months. Why are we tolerating this?

Do you know what it is like to hold one of those weapons you are endorsing over the faces of your neighbors, your friends, and even your family? I doubt it or you wouldn't be so quick to call for their use.

These "agitators" were created by the vitriolic rancor utilized within the last 3 presidential election cycles. If you want to blame someone then blame congress and all of our other elected representation in Washington. They're the root cause for this situation.

I don't agree with what these protestors are doing entirely. Use of violence only begets violence. The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago is highly reflective of what we find ourselves dealing with today, only they used the methods you endorse here.

I personally know several men that were National Guardsmen called upon to use force against their neighbors, friends, and family within the demonstrators. It messed some of them up for life.

Is that really necessary?

[Henry Hawk]

Do you know what it is like to hold one of those weapons you are endorsing over the faces of your neighbors, your friends, and even your family? I doubt it or you wouldn't be so quick to call for their use.

These "agitators" were created by the vitriolic rancor utilized within the last 3 presidential election cycles. If you want to blame someone then blame congress and all of our other elected representation in Washington. They're the root cause for this situation.

I don't agree with what these protestors are doing entirely. Use of violence only begets violence. The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago is highly reflective of what we find ourselves dealing with today, only they used the methods you endorse here.

I personally know several men that were National Guardsmen called upon to use force against their neighbors, friends, and family within the demonstrators. It messed some of them up for life.

Is that really necessary?

It doesn't mater WHO the blame is on........I agree congress played it's part........but it does NOT mean this is okay to break the law.....and that is what they are doing........innocent people being attacked?  Traffic being shut down.....public and private property being destroyed?.....Police Officers being hurt in the line of duty?

You guys make me feel like I am on a twilight zone episode........I can't believe that some people are making excuses for this kind of behavior.......enough is enough.  Time to end this shit!  Obama needs to tell them to peacefully protest.....if they cannot do this, then the National Guard will cease this.....immediately.

No! it shouldn't be necessary....but, it is becoming obvious that it may.  I am sickened by this to the core of my stomach.

[Palehorse]

It doesn't mater WHO the blame is on........I agree congress played it's part........but it does NOT mean this is okay to break the law.....and that is what they are doing........innocent people being attacked?  Traffic being shut down.....public and private property being destroyed?.....Police Officers being hurt in the line of duty?

You guys make me feel like I am on a twilight zone episode........I can't believe that some people are making excuses for this kind of behavior.......enough is enough.  Time to end this shit!  Obama needs to tell them to peacefully protest.....if they cannot do this, then the National Guard will cease this.....immediately.

No! it shouldn't be necessary....but, it is becoming obvious that it may.  I am sickened by this to the core of my stomach.

Shutting down traffic is one thing, but beating people and tearing up their property is another.

These people are upset over the election results, and some of them are in it for the violence. It is a volatile situation that results in mob action when one or more of them begin the destructive behaviors. Mob action.

Blocking of traffic is the least of the issues here. Think about it. If you've got a chipped tooth and you don't feel anything other than some slight discomfort over the sharp edge hitting your tongue, you learn to avoid hitting your tongue on it until your next scheduled dentist appointment; if at all. . . But if that chipped tooth exposes a nerve ending and you experience pain, you're going to pay attention to it pretty damned quick.

Same holds true for protesting.

Traffic blacking gets people paying attention. Or used to. . .

[Palehorse]

Shutting down traffic is one thing, but beating people and tearing up their property is another.

These people are upset over the election results, and some of them are in it for the violence. It is a volatile situation that results in mob action when one or more of them begin the destructive behaviors. Mob action.

Blocking of traffic is the least of the issues here. Think about it. If you've got a chipped tooth and you don't feel anything other than some slight discomfort over the sharp edge hitting your tongue, you learn to avoid hitting your tongue on it until your next scheduled dentist appointment; if at all. . . But if that chipped tooth exposes a nerve ending and you experience pain, you're going to pay attention to it pretty damned quick.

Same holds true for protesting.

Traffic blacking gets people paying attention. Or used to. . .

That being said, I for one am not making excuses for the actions of these groups. Protesting is a necessary evil and a constitutionally protected right, but it doesn't extend toward imposing physical harm upon others or their property. I agree on that point.

But to react by calling upon military personnel to intervene upon civil unrest is a bit heavy handed. That is what the police are for.

[Henry Hawk]

If traffic blocking was the worst thing they were doing.......then I say lets ride it out.  But they are getting more and more violent.

Be honest PH, if this was some rednecks doing this because of Hillary winning........you would be pissed as hell.  Am I right or wrong?

[Palehorse]

If traffic blocking was the worst thing they were doing.......then I say lets ride it out.  But they are getting more and more violent.

Be honest PH, if this was some rednecks doing this because of Hillary winning........you would be pissed as hell.  Am I right or wrong?

Wrong. I'd feel exactly like I do right now. Let the police handle it.

This is escalating and already there are similar actions taking place in central Indiana.