What is Digg?429 Comments
- Gump9005, on 01/09/2009, -9/+256If you're gonna burn something down, burn down government buildings.
Burning down Radio Shack won't really send the message. - the2989, on 01/09/2009, -10/+219Bad cops should have double penalties, as they are in a position of power to protect us, not harm us. That cop better be in jail for a loooooong time.
- nreynolds, on 01/09/2009, -28/+219violence is never justified except in legitimate self-defense or defense of others.
They burned innocent people's cars for no ***** reason. You don't get to say "oh, this cop did an awful thing, so I'm gonna go burn some *****." We have a criminal justice system for a reason. It's not perfect, but that's why you're allowed to protest and vote. What these people did is awful (not as awful as what the cop did, but what about the people who's (whose?) cars they burned arbitrarily).
The cop should be in jail for life (as should everyone that has ever taken another person's life), but we got rid of mob-rule for a reason. - nwoantibody, on 01/08/2009, -120/+282it's justified imho
they execute a civilian and begin lying, get caught in the process, videos reach the media
they don't punish the murderer
people protest and then are told by cops that they dont have a right to protest?
***** that, their riots are justified - Lucas123, on 01/08/2009, -4/+132BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit (for those of us who don't live in San Francisco).
- inactive, on 01/09/2009, -9/+101Yeah, it's justified!? If I come out of my house and you are burning my car for an incident that had nothing to do with me and I shoot your dumb ass, is that too justified?
- kinseyincanada, on 01/09/2009, -12/+103no they are not, vandalizing and smashing, and lighting fires to innocent civilians property is not justified. Two wrongs do not make a right. Protest peacefully or your message against violence is lost.
- danjal, on 01/09/2009, -20/+81an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind - mahatma gandhi
- Solkre, on 01/09/2009, -4/+57That officer should have been handcuffed and his weapon taken at the scene in the subway, and carted out of there ASAP. It would have shown the civilians the gravity of his mistake/purposeful firing. Also could save his ass if they decided to open fire on them, or rush them.
Also riots are retarded, and those who damage or hurt someone else or their property deserve to face justice as much as the BART officer. - XDingoX83, on 01/09/2009, -5/+51The thing that always gets me is people usually riot in there own neighborhoods. So people increase there chances of damage to there own property by joining these mobs.
- s6t9eve, on 01/09/2009, -6/+49Sad it has come to this, the officer should already be behind bars for LIFE.
- exxon, on 01/09/2009, -6/+47why do subway cops cary guns ?
- fabriciom, on 01/09/2009, -4/+45US police force needs major over haul. Police need some psychiatric training or better education requirements over all IMO.
- AJay85, on 01/09/2009, -1/+39If you've been in Oakland at night, you know why.
- mithrasinvictus, on 01/09/2009, -1/+36Cop killers and killer cops should both get double sentences.
- Disgod, on 01/09/2009, -4/+37Has this cop even spent a minute in jail yet? I mean not as a cop, but as a criminal? He should have at least been charged, it is an open and shut case, there's video and dozens of witnesses to the crime. He shot a non-resisting individual. Even if it was a 100% accident that he shot and even if he was released on bail, the symbolic gesture of putting him through the start of the criminal process would have helped alleviate the tension in the city.
So far it sounds like the only thing that has happened to him is he had to resign from his job. That's ***** - namayake, on 01/09/2009, -3/+35A little word for the wise for those not so familiar with Oakland. Oakland has a very large population of African Americans, most of them poor and disenfranchised. The crime rate is exceedingly high with violent crime rates off the charts. With social services in the gutter, people being denied and *rudely* being denied service, a criminally underfunded police force that's stretched ridiculously thin and you've got a pressure cooker waiting to explode. Something happen in your neighborhood and you call the cops? Don't expect them to arrive for 6-8 hours or even more, yes, even for emergencies. And if the situation is so dangerous you decide to go somewhere else safer? The police will arrive, see you're not there and leave. That simple. No trying to contact you, nothing. You'll have to call them and repeat the same process all over again. The police seem to exist there only to keep track of crime statistics. The last time I checked there was only one, yes, *ONE* crime scene investigator for the entirety of Oakland and surrounding areas for a population bordering 1 million! How do I know all this? I lived there for 2 years. You couldn't pay me to move back. I can't tell you how many times I had to call the police while living there. And after being jumped by 5 guys on my way to the Bart station, having the police refuse to do an intake over the phone or even come visit me in the hospital or do ANY investigating for that matter, even when I saw the house and knew the address where the guys who jumped me had come out of, I moved out as quick as I could.
- dagnome1984, on 01/09/2009, -3/+34Riots are the dumbest thing a group of individuals could possibly do. In this case a riot will further justify the police state actions of those in government. The best thing to do would be civil disobedience. Governments don't know how to effectively respond to a large number of individuals who practice non violent civil disobedience. It worked for Dr. King back in the 60's and it still works today. You could recreate the sit ins where people mass in front of city hall for example and until the officer is tried for some sort of murder charge. This puts the ball in the government's court. They have two choices. One is to crack down and arrest everyone which will just show everyone else how bad the system is and cause more people to join your cause. Or they give into the demands of the people.
Destroying property and injuring others is morally wrong and does nothing to help your cause. - Heiminator, on 01/09/2009, -5/+35why jail,if the dead teenager had shot the cop,they would hand out a death sentence for sure,thats what the cop should get
- tgc1, on 01/09/2009, -2/+31Many of you are failing to see the point of the riots. There is no point. It's Anarchy run amok. We live in a society, we try to make it civilized. When that civilized part of things goes away (ie. a cop who is meant to keep the peace, shoots someone execution style) then the balance is ruined and things turn in favor of anarchy and chaos. There is no method behind anarchy, it is what it is. It just happens. But not without reason. There is motivation there. There is a catalyst.
People don't just randomly walk around their neighborhoods torching cars. They do it for a reason. One of sufficient cause and effect. What we're seeing here is simply outrage. People are sick and tired of this *****. They are mad as hell and they are not going to take it anymore.
Now, whether that warrants torching public property, I don't know. But if nothing is done, and nothing happens to the man who is responsible then we set a precedent for law enforcement officers (and transit police) to randomly go about executing people whenever they feel like it. The response is entirely justified, albeit not entirely pointed in the right direction. That is to be expected in the dealings of anarchy and chaos. Things tend to be random.
The problem here, is that many people still don't get it. They don't see how rights are being taken away at a record pace. These people standing up and doing SOMETHING about it means there is going to be some resistance to that. - inactive, on 01/09/2009, -0/+24They need you back, man.
- kuzotz, on 01/09/2009, -18/+41the riots currently happening in Greece makes the riots in Oakland look like lolipop land.
Point is I am surprised we are still on this peaceful protest *****.
It simply doesn't work, and the problem we have reached in this society is that we can't even identify any viable solutions. Peaceful protest tend to be broken up or easily controlled by the powers that be, and the powers that be tend to be the people that are being protested against. Soooooo I would say rioting tends to happen when there is civil unrest, and to a greater extent when there is social instability in a society.
Right now this is American society, and it's been denied for decades, and here it is to bite us in the ass. So ***** all of you ***** who have no real solutions to bring up to the table while getting asss ***** by ***** who run this country. - tavallai, on 01/09/2009, -17/+38Athens! Athens! Athens!
Do it to it, Oaktown. - meerling, on 01/09/2009, -4/+23Being pissed at the police and politicians isn't a reason to trash the shops, windows, cars, etc of those that aren't involved. I could make a really snarky and sarcastic comment to really emphasize the point, but I'll spare everyone tonight.
- elister, on 01/09/2009, -4/+23Or Paris, those guys really know how to protest. First sign of ***** and the McDonalds are the first to burn.
- trevor98, on 01/09/2009, -8/+26It sickens me that these rioters might influence anything with their blood lust. The ex-cop needs to be judged by the rule of law based on a fair system of justice not based fear of rioters- otherwise it's just mob justice once removed.
Certainly, if the justice system is broke then protesting and civic action is the not just acceptable but required, however, a week is too soon to react so strongly. We can't make allow a second victim out of the ex-cop in deference to a mob's thirst for vengeance. - arcangelgabriel, on 01/09/2009, -6/+24-kuzotz-
"there is a bigger problem and the problem is killings like this happen all the time to young black males, and is often done by police."
The killing of young black males is often done by young black males.
I wonder how many deaths to young black males have bee caused due to sloppy and inept medical professionals this year. I don't see hospitals being burned.
This situation is horrible, horrible, but it in NO WAY justifies the rioting, looting, burning that's going on. All the diggers who are supporting that here are the ones whose cars, shops etc are not being burned and destroyed. To those supporting that acting I say you're cowards, spouting off from your laptop somewhere.
It will be found that this was a terrible TERRIBLE accident. I watched the video over and over, I can see the officers reaction when just after he pulled the trigger. I'm pretty sure he truly though he was going to tase him. He didn't he had his head up his ass and now he's screwed the pooch.
For those saying it's an execution, shut up. You really REALLY think an armed officer, knowing that everyone has video these days, in an open area, in FULL PUBLIC VIEW is going to execute someone?
He's *****, the guys dead, every moron with a grudge is running amuck screaming justice is their own name, not the dead guys, we post here because it's safe and we're behind our monitors being internet tough guys.
I've killed men, I've burned their homes. I've destroyed more than any of the vast majority of you will ever ever know.
It solved nothing then it'll solve nothing now. Except that I'll get dugg down and people will say 'Hey you'er right ,I dugg you down." Move along.
semper fi. - RetlawST, on 01/09/2009, -0/+18No, but burning down a Radio Shack makes everybody feel better.
- normalkid0615, on 01/09/2009, -6/+23FTA- "He said a group of anarchists, who were not part of the organizations hosting the rally, smashed a police vehicle before setting a garbage can on fire," the NBC affiliate reported.
I believe it was the CIA or some gov't agency. Same thing happened in the Greece Riots (there is video proof) and in the RNC riots (Twitter feeds as proof). The government is taking away our right to protest in the streets. They "act" as "anarchists" to get the regular peaceful protesters arrested and taken off the streets...
We need a new way to protest.... - Bauer22, on 01/09/2009, -5/+22@diggmeordie
Im not sure about you but I'm gonna think a bit before I riot or attack a cop that just shot and killed an unarmed man. - elister, on 01/09/2009, -3/+20Its just a few bad apples that are actually burning stuff down, they mix in with the crowd. Ironically enough, the same thing can be said for the cops, just a few bad apples will make the entire dept look bad.
So I guess things are even. - smotpoker, on 01/09/2009, -3/+20"considering it takes months for murder/manslaughter cases to go to trial, how can anyone claim the system isn't working correctly?"
Because no one was charged. In most cases where someone is tied up and shot on video, the shooter is immediately charged and arrested. The only reason he hasn't been charged or arrested is that he is a cop. Chances are, this guy will go the same route most of these police brutality cases go: they say they are investigating, decide not to file charges and then pay the victim (or his family) millions of taxpayer $$ to shut everyone up.
The video evidence and lacking explanation alone is enough to charge anyone with murder immediately. Even with explanation any other person would still get an involuntary manslaughter charge since his weapon shouldn't have been pulled at all to begin with precisely to prevent this sort of accident from happening.
With every other citizen: person gets shot, shooter gets charged/arrested (because he could be a threat or attempt to flee) unless there is *very* compelling evidence not to, police investigate, suspect defends himself in court.
With police usually: person gets shot, police ask him what happened, send shooter home while they [pretend to] investigate (find out if there were witnesses and get their stories), tell their buddy what they found (to work out any inconsistencies in his story), try to convince superiors/the state nothing bad happen and (optionally) have a mock trial or ask the shooter to resign. - KSUdesigner, on 01/09/2009, -6/+23I posted this in another article, but it's just as suitable here:
Why is it that people riot over something like this, yet sit idly by as the government strips away our rights and liberties? I'm not saying the anger and riots in Oakland are unjust, but we should be applying these same methods of fighting back to other areas in our lives as well. The level of violence in Oakland is a bit extreme, but if people get that worked up over the death of one individual why do they not get just as worked up and take action when the government strips away the freedoms of millions? - johnbellone, on 01/09/2009, -0/+16He should not have even had the curtsey of being able to resign.
He should have been put into handcuffs on the scene and carted off to jail. Any officers with him that did not perform the arrest should be brought up on charges as well. He was put on administrative suspension and then after his feet got hot he decided to resign before he got fired.
If we are lucky he gets charged with manslaughter. But they want to look into "the state of his mind" during the attack. Give me a break -- the man was handcuffed lying on his stomach. - Solkre, on 01/09/2009, -0/+16The only thing I've ever seen a subway cop carry is a cold cut trio foot-long, sometimes with some bites out of it.
- nickespinosa, on 01/09/2009, -0/+16What if you kill a killer cop?
- Dotcommer, on 01/09/2009, -3/+19Man, I leave SF for maybe two weeks for a break from school, and oakland just falls apart....
- scratend0788, on 01/09/2009, -0/+15not to mention that these people sould be working for us, they should be more scared of the masses than the masses are scared of them.
- inactive, on 01/09/2009, -7/+22All you diggers are missing your opportunity - this is the time you need to go to Oakland and protest - and get yourself a plama 51 in TV in the process.
- nmezib, on 01/09/2009, -0/+14I'm all for a revolution and making the people's voices heard... but lighting innocent peoples cars on fire (and it's Oakland, remember, many of the people trying to make an honest living there are also black), looting stores and inciting violence only DEGRADES our message.
Sure, riots are fun, but something infinitely more effective would have been NONviolence. Remember Gandhi? Dr. MLK Jr.? They and their followers brought about the change violence could never achieve.
I hope the cops get what they deserve (lots of jailtime in the least), but I also feel sorry for the people caught up in the rioting. Imagine you're a middle-aged black man in Oakland who started his own barbershop from the sweat of his brow. all of a sudden, riots erupt and they torch your store. All up in flames. Justice, right? I'm SURE you'd be all for it!
***** *****. - thejohnfloyd, on 01/09/2009, -1/+15So his right to a fair trial by peers is gone?
- inactive, on 01/09/2009, -1/+14In Oakland everyone should be heavily armed. I never walk down International Ave without my Glock.
- sodade, on 01/09/2009, -1/+14And that, my friends, is the most valid justification for owning a gun.
- scamper22, on 01/09/2009, -5/+18protest, raze police cars, throw molatov cocktails at police stations, raid the courthouse....
that would be justified. burning some random person's car who had nothing to do with the incident...? - dext3r, on 01/09/2009, -5/+18@kuzotz: I'm not sure I agree with these riots 100% (based on the fact that innocent people get involved), but what I can agree with is that I'm tired of the pussyification (it's a technical term) of American society. At least these people have some kind of ballsack (again, technical term) to stand up for something. A peaceful protest will be broken up with teargas and violence by the police and the claim will be that "the crowd was getting violent," like they always say.
Of course there are always the ***** opportunists that just want to burn random *****, ***** those guys. - flygirl62, on 01/09/2009, -0/+12And one of the most valid justifications for defedning the right to own a gun
- thejohnfloyd, on 01/09/2009, -4/+16In Texas it is...
- crazycracker911, on 01/09/2009, -0/+12As long as you didn't have to use it, consider it a GOOD DAY.
- Stinkylicious, on 01/09/2009, -5/+17To the diggers saying the riots are justified:
"I am begging the citizens not to use violent tactics, not to be angry," said Wanda Johnson, Grant's mother, at a press conference. "You're hurting people who have nothing to do with the situation. You're vandalizing their property, hurting their cars and breaking their windows. Please just stop it, please."
I'm not saying what happened should be overlooked. The officer resigned, and in the face of the other problems we have, that's a god damn good start. - keraneuology, on 01/09/2009, -3/+15What due process? The last I've heard they STILL haven't even gotten an official statement from the guy. If anybody - ANYBODY - other than a cop pulled the trigger and left a man dead they would be at the very least questioned before the day was out. This guy quickly lawyered up (I presume that bart cops are unionized so this was done on advice on the union's lawyer) and hasn't been actively questioned. They also placed him in some kind of protection program - on taxpayers' money - which is yet another unusual step that is ONLY afforded to cops. Since it is such an unusual step you could say that it is only afforded to dirty cops.
Yes, there is an actively conspiracy - cops always protect cops, even the dirty ones. Many people have died by cops who were too stupid to kick in the right door or by cops who outright lied about what was growing in somebody's yard just so they could confiscate the land for the cash it would bring and nothing ever happens.
This is the state of today's world: the citizenry is going to fight back, the cops will continue to refuse to police their own and things are going to get uglier than <insert simile here>. -
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