Protests following the killing of George Floyd

TheReligion

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Absolutely, if what you meant as too fast for your liking was that it was absurd how fast they went through people.
But the way you were "playing devils advocate" and at the speed they drove comes across as if they were just a bit too fast, not unreasonably fast with putting extreme danger of injuring and killing the protestors which squarely put them in the wrong regardless of their reasons for moving so fast.
I thought it was pretty obvious what I meant however clearly not. The devil's advocate was there are certain circumstances when you simply have to get through that crowd. It may be due to the risk to yourself or the nature of the incident you are responding to. If there's no other option then you may have to go through the crowd but not at that speed and in such a reckless, careless fashion.

Not sure how that opinion makes me a racist or all of the other insults that were thrown.
 

arnie_ni

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:lol: I did crack up at that. I mean the guys a racist cnut but he at least gave me some mild amusement. Who the feck comes out to this sort of thing with a bow and arrow.
He wasnt even very good with it. He didnt even get a shot of i dont think
 

duffer

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If you're allowed to be on your own property during curfew (which I think you are from what I have read about it) then they've done nothing wrong for being outside on their porch. If the police (authority or whatever) ask me to do something and I am not breaking the law then I do not have to comply with them and should most definitely not be shot.
Legally you may be correct, like you I also don't know.

In the real world, I'd move from my porch to inside my house, even if it meant the video footage I was trying to get was not as good.
 

nimic

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I counted 9 times they said "get inside" before they paintballed them.

I reckon if armed police were shouting at me to do something, I'd listen to them after (at most) 4 or 5 times.
Except they had no right to tell them to get inside. It's nice to know that you're so obedient to authority, though.
 

Pexbo

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Sorry guys, but racism and police brutality are initial problem here and it needs to be resolved but when protests turn into riots and vandalism where innocent people are being attacked, beat and robbed then as a citizen i would want drastic measures from police and national guard.
Unfortunately idiots ruined something which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality.
@Rado_N
 

Walrus

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I understand this but you simply can't shoot at people who don't listen. It's not reasonable to the circumstances in my opinion and an officer could have walked over and explained the situation and the request to go inside. Especially in that scenario when the street was empty.
Indeed, and its all symptomatic of what I said in my first post this morning on this - the American police plainly have no idea on how to deescalate and defuse situations. Whether this is a lack of training, a deliberate policy, something being passed down from above, I dont know. You see plenty of videos from Europe of police officers who are actually engaging with people and holding a conversation - that very rarely seems to happen in the US and they prefer to just go straight for the nuclear option. At this point, the police are simply not trusted by a significant amount of the population, which means that rather than being peacekeepers they have basically become a private army, simply enforcing the wishes of whoever holds the purse strings.

It was discussed on here a couple of days ago, but I think major reforms are needed over there. Mandatory sensitivity and negotiation training. Centralization and standardization of police practices across the states. Right now it boils down to a lack of empathy and a lack of ability to defuse or deescalate.

A famous quote comes to mind; "I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail "
 

psychdelicblues

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Sorry guys, but racism and police brutality are initial problem here and it needs to be resolved but when protests turn into riots and vandalism where innocent people are being attacked, beat and robbed then as a citizen i would want drastic measures from police and national guard.
Unfortunately idiots ruined something which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality.
Why not try to address the racism,police brutality and economic inequalites to prevent the riots in the first place?
 

arnie_ni

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Why should they have to get inside though when they are stood on their own property? Granted I don't know the law in the US but I'm not sure how you can justify shooting people stood on their own porches in an empty street.
So just want to quote this to bring a bit of balance to the "sticking up for your mates" comments that seem to be thrown at you a lot.

Those same posters somehow don't notice your criticisms of policing and only think your one sided.
 

JPRouve

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Sorry guys, but racism and police brutality are initial problem here and it needs to be resolved but when protests turn into riots and vandalism where innocent people are being attacked, beat and robbed then as a citizen i would want drastic measures from police and national guard.
Unfortunately idiots ruined something which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality.
That point is simply wrong and it's tiring to see people make it over and over. You guys are clearly showing why these riots happened, no one cared when the protests were peaceful to the point where some of you seem to think that these type of protests are/were a turning point.

Violence is bad everyone knows that but violence comes from the violence of the system and its disdain when people have spent the better part of the 20th century protesting and being totally ignored and demonized. It's funny how no one responded to the quotes from MLK that I posted, they are from the 60s nothing has changed, peace and violence have been tried but nothing changed.
 
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diarm

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Sorry guys, but racism and police brutality are initial problem here and it needs to be resolved but when protests turn into riots and vandalism where innocent people are being attacked, beat and robbed then as a citizen i would want drastic measures from police and national guard.
Unfortunately idiots ruined something which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality.
Remind me what happened when Kaepernick made a nonviolent stand which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality?
 

duffer

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Except they had no right to tell them to get inside. It's nice to know that you're so obedient to authority, though.
It depends what I'm being asked to do. If, during a lockdown, a cop points a gun at me and tells me 9 times in increasing severity to move from my porch to inside my house, I'll do it. Not a hill worth dying on to debate what counts as "inside".
 

arnie_ni

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That point is simply wrong and it's tiring to see people make it over and over. You guys are clearly showing why these riots happened, no one cared when the protests were peaceful to the point where some of you seem to think that these type of protests are/were a turning point.

Violence is bad everyone knows that but violence comes from the violence of the system and it's disdain when people have spent the better part of the 20th century protesting and being totally ignored and demonized. It's funny how no responded to the quotes from MLK that I posted, they are from the 60 nothing has changed, peace and violence have been tried but nothing changed.
 

Zlaatan

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I asked what would you do. So you're blocked in by people who are attacking your car. Do you just turn the engine off and let them carry on and at worst case scenario kill you? With regards to where they were going I don't know. I was simply speculating it was a 911 call given they had their sirens on.
I was simply giving another angle on the one that was being put forward that they've simply got in their cars and thought "feck it, let's run down some people".

I don't know where they were going, I assume a 911 call as they had their sirens on. In any sense what would you do in that situation if you were surrounded by a crowd attacking your vehicle. You can't just sit there as it's likely you'll get seriously injured or killed. That's not to say you should speed though people (as I've said repeatedly now).
None of the bolded parts apply to the situation that's being discussed, they weren't blocked in and they weren't surrounded by the crowd. Changing such a vital fact about the event to defend the actions of the police is intellectual dishonesty at its best.
 

VorZakone

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It depends what I'm being asked to do. If, during a lockdown, a cop points a gun at me and tells me 9 times in increasing severity to move from my porch to inside my house, I'll do it. Not a hill worth dying on to debate what counts as "inside".
I agree with @duffer here. Tensions are high, and the police don't give a feck about you and your porch, do yourself a favour and go inside.
 

Ødegaard

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I thought it was pretty obvious what I meant however clearly not. The devil's advocate was there are certain circumstances when you simply have to get through that crowd. It may be due to the risk to yourself or the nature of the incident you are responding to. If there's no other option then you may have to go through the crowd but not at that speed and in such a reckless, careless fashion.

Not sure how that opinion makes me a racist or all of the other insults that were thrown.
That opinion doesn't make you racist in my view or the evil person I thought you were being. My sincere apologies for the reaction.

To me playing "devils advocate" is something you do when you want to humor the idea of defending the indefensible (arguing for something you inherently disagree with) or something some do when they want to mask their view. I didn't see it the way you meant it. I still don't fully understand what you mean but at least I'm of the understanding that you weren't being a piece of shit, so it is a start. :lol:
It could be that we Norwegians or just northern norwegians use the term devils advocate differently or more strictly than others.
 

arnie_ni

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That opinion doesn't make you racist in my view or the evil person I thought you were being. My sincere apologies for the reaction.

To me playing "devils advocate" is something you do when you want to humor the idea of defending the indefensible (arguing for something you inherently disagree with) or something some do when they want to mask their view. I didn't see it the way you meant it. I still don't fully understand what you mean but at least I'm of the understanding that you weren't being a piece of shit, so it is a start. :lol:
It could be that we Norwegians or just northern norwegians use the term devils advocate differently or more strictly than others.
It wasnt you who insinuated he was racist it was another poster from what i seen just incase you think he was accusing yourself of that
 

Ish

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That point is simply wrong and it's tiring to see people make it over and over. You guys are clearly showing why these riots happened, no one cared when the protests were peaceful to the point where some of you seem to think that these type of protests are/were a turning point.

Violence is bad everyone knows that but violence comes from the violence of the system and it's disdain when people have spent the better part of the 20th century protesting and being totally ignored and demonized. It's funny how no responded to the quotes from MLK that I posted, they are from the 60 nothing has changed, peace and violence have been tried but nothing changed.
This has needed explaining way too many times in this thread. We should sticky this and the dog whistle at the top of every page for reference :lol:

Saying “peaceful protesting is the only way” is something said by those who have not lived whilst oppressed. I say this being a non white South African.
 

Eyepopper

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I understand this but you simply can't shoot at people who don't listen. It's not reasonable to the circumstances in my opinion and an officer could have walked over and explained the situation and the request to go inside. Especially in that scenario when the street was empty.
They're jacked up, under trained and over armed.

"Light em up..." talking and acting as if they're an occupying military force in a hostile war zone.

And thats when they're walking through an empty residential street... Hate to see how they react in an actual stressful situation.
 

Raees

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This has needed explaining way too many times in this thread. We should sticky this and the dog whistle at the top of every page for reference :lol:

Saying “peaceful protesting is the only way” is something said by those who have not lived whilst oppressed. I say this being a non white South African.
It’s like the appeasement policy when it came to Hitler. Sometimes lives have to be lost, people have to martyr themselves for the greater good of society and personally I hope these protests become more radical and lead to real change in the cultural mindset of the US.
 

Raees

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Sorry guys, but racism and police brutality are initial problem here and it needs to be resolved but when protests turn into riots and vandalism where innocent people are being attacked, beat and robbed then as a citizen i would want drastic measures from police and national guard.
Unfortunately idiots ruined something which could have been huge in fighting against racism and police brutality.
Would these protests and the issue have been as highlighted if the protests were peaceful? Hell no.
 

Cloud7

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It’s like the appeasement policy when it came to Hitler. Sometimes lives have to be lost, people have to martyr themselves for the greater good of society and personally I hope these protests become more radical and lead to real change in the cultural mindset of the US.
When the system is broken sometimes the best thing to do is destroy it and build it again. There will be collateral damage, but nothing positive has ever happened throughout human history without some losses happening along the way.
 

Tucholsky

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I counted 9 times they said "get inside" before they paintballed them.

I reckon if armed police were shouting at me to do something, I'd listen to them after (at most) 4 or 5 times.
If I'm sitting on my porch on my property, ant the police says that I should get indoors, I'll expect of them to reason with me why I should get indoors. Cause at that moment I am just exercising my rights.
And a curfew is not an order to stay indoors in your house, but that you can't leave your property/apartment.
 

BobbyManc

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Racist friends? How dare you. You have absolutely no right to insult me like that when you know nothing about me. I've commented on a video where a police vehicle has driven at protesters. Why does that make me racist?
You can drop the faux outrage. I did not say you were a racist. I said you were licking the boots of your racist friends. That’s how I’d define someone leaping to add hypothetical context and mitigating factors to a video of a US police car mindlessly driving through civilians. Most normal people would condemn it, not instinctively play ‘devil’s advocate’. If you want to do the latter don’t act upset when you get called out for it.
 

Handré1990

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Republicans want life to be like it was in the 50s, and they got it! Police are turning violent on protesters and black people are being treated like 3rd class citizens
Yep, seems so. I mean, there’s a lot of things to like about America. I’ve loved my visits there. The problem is a lot of them seem to think it’s the greatest country in the world. Most educated people I know in Norway rate it as a developing country.

The police, the health care system, the widespread poverty, the guns, the poor educational system (for those who can’t afford private education) and the blatant worship of money and status. Yeah, it’s really not that great, probably never were. In fact, as a historian, that sounds a lot like those origin myths of former empires.
 

Wibble

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I'm tired of the racism angle. We need to get to the bottom of that spirit and route it out and throw it out. Racism is a tool that is used. Perhaps all their are legitimately upset. Perhaps some are paid to be for some stupid agenda. Just don't care at this point in time. The media spread this racism. Films spread this racism. It's got to stop. I hate to be the one to say it but maybe they should look to God about how to behave. This is too organised. Who is behind this? What are they saying and what do they want to achieve?

In USA, they push white supremacy. They push white guilt. Ideas are promoted that you can only be racist if you are white. I don't see anywhere - as much organisation so when form no opinion. Because it adds to the flame. They are stirring the pot and people need to know WHO is behind it and hold them to account. Many people that act the victim are completely fake (NOT all) but many are for political agendas.
Which makes you part of the problem.
 

evil_geko

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So people are supporting violent behaviour that hurts innocents just because it rises more attention to the other violent problem? So endless circle of violence basically. Cool.

This world needs the meteor cleanse as soon as possible.
 

TheReligion

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So just want to quote this to bring a bit of balance to the "sticking up for your mates" comments that seem to be thrown at you a lot.

Those same posters somehow don't notice your criticisms of policing and only think your one sided.
Thanks mate. Appreciated.

None of the bolded parts apply to the situation that's being discussed, they weren't blocked in and they weren't surrounded by the crowd. Changing such a vital fact about the event to defend the actions of the police is intellectual dishonesty at its best.
I'm not going to get into semantics with you. The videos speak for themselves. I think it's pretty clear the vehicles are being blocked and attacked.

That opinion doesn't make you racist in my view or the evil person I thought you were being. My sincere apologies for the reaction.

To me playing "devils advocate" is something you do when you want to humor the idea of defending the indefensible (arguing for something you inherently disagree with) or something some do when they want to mask their view. I didn't see it the way you meant it. I still don't fully understand what you mean but at least I'm of the understanding that you weren't being a piece of shit, so it is a start. :lol:
It could be that we Norwegians or just northern norwegians use the term devils advocate differently or more strictly than others.
Thanks. I'm sorry if I didn't explain properly but glad you understand where I was coming from and the point I was trying to make. I possibly need to be clearer in the future. No hard feelings.

They're jacked up, under trained and over armed.

"Light em up..." talking and acting as if they're an occupying military force in a hostile war zone.

And thats when they're walking through an empty residential street... Hate to see how they react in an actual stressful situation.
I think you have it spot on here. The mentality is all wrong and very military like which isn't what day to day policing needs. I've said a few times though it's a cultural issue in the states which I'm sure stems from firearms and goes outwards from there. You even have volunteers within communities forming their own "professional" militia to protect their rights and neighborhoods whilst decked from head to toe in military uniform and with various automatic weapons. When you see all that is there any wonder why the police behave just as idiotically?

I genuinely believe the whole country needs reform.
 

TheReligion

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You can drop the faux outrage. I did not say you were a racist. I said you were licking the boots of your racist friends. That’s how I’d define someone leaping to add hypothetical context and mitigating factors to a video of a US police car mindlessly driving through civilians. Most normal people would condemn it, not instinctively play ‘devil’s advocate’. If you want to do the latter don’t act upset when you get called out for it.
Don't try and backtrack. It's certainly not "faux outrage" as I find it highly insulting to tell someone they are friends with racists.

Put the personal insults aside and discuss like an adult or log off and take your pent up anger out elsewhere. No time for it.