2011 Fousesquawk Jerk of the Year
Eric Holder arrived in Ferguson today and did what many of us feared he would do. He fanned the flames. Here is what he told local people when he arrived.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/eric-h-holder-jr-in-ferguson-shares-painful-memories-of-racism/2014/08/20/b05a2f62-289b-11e4-8593-da634b334390_story.html
First of all, we have yet to establish that Michael Brown was the victim of racial profiling or anything. If the police officer's account (as has been reported) is accurate, Brown was a thug who robbed a convenience store and then compounded it by assaulting Officer Darren Wilson. The officer may have been in real fear of his life if after having had facial bones in his face broken and an attempt made to take his gun, he was being rushed by Brown while his gun was drawn. (We don't know if that is true or not.) It may very well be that race had nothing to do with the shooting. But it is a racial issue now because of the charges being leveled and the disturbances which have followed.
So we can add Holder to the list of people who are speaking out and making claims before all the facts are in. The remarks yesterday from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon about a "vigorous prosecution" were irresponsible. Holder's remarks today-from the top law enforcement officer in the land- are also irresponsible. They imply a racial motive on the part of Officer Wilson. Brown had just robbed a store and was walking down the center of the road when confronted by Officer Wilson.
I have said it before and will say it again: Eric Holder is a corrupt attorney general. That he could take charge of this investigation scares me. His words today only add to that fear.
It appears from photos that officer Darren Wilson weighed about 170 pounds and Michael Brown weighed maybe 250 pounds. His friends called him "Mike-Mike" because he was so big he had to be called twice. So if a 250 pound young athlete is charging a middle-aged small-framed officer who had just been bashed in the face, what is he supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteBased on photos, officer Darren Wilson weighed about 180 pounds and Michael Brown weighed 250 pounds or more. His friends called him "Mike-Mike" because he was so big he had to be called twice. After an altercation that left Wilson with a broke eye-socket, he is apparently charged by Mike-Mike. What is an officer to do in that situation?
ReplyDeleteGary--Since my original post went to the dead letter file, I will re-do it below, the sites show right in front of me as I type. When I sent the first one, your webpage had expired just as I submitted it, so maybe something happened there, Siarlys said he was having problems, and I am certainly no computer guru. If it does not come thru this time I will cease and desist.
ReplyDeleteSince this current post references Holder, I would note that this is the exact same Holder who previously commented that "America" (he means whites) is "cowardly" when it comes to discussing racial issues.
I would partially agree with him in that some of us (them, whites and blacks alike), do not have the slightest intention of discussing ANYTHING racial in a frank, open, and aboveboard manner. What you see instead is what is happening in Ferguson and elsewhere.
Gary--I am forwarding two videos re Ferguson which I found interesting. Both are by black people who take on the black demonstrators/rioters/looters in no uncertain terms. While the lady is quite passionate, she is also profane and uses "nigger" and "mf/the f bomb" with abandon. The guy is somewhat calmer with no real vulgarity or racial stuff, and who appears to be a black guy who, at least in this instance, is angry at ignorant, irresponsible blacks rather than whites and/or police officers. You may or, then again may not, want to post either, but we should all be grownups here, no??
https://apps.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204411428915207&set=vb.1515461779&type=2&theater
http://youtu.be/PCOYFpP0anY
In addition, I believe Casenet documents Brown's adult criminal record as being charged (I do not have any disposition) on 11/02/13 with four felony counts (1st degree burglary, two counts of armed criminal action, and 1st degree assault), no further information. It of course does not indicate his juvenile record, which he almost necessarily has.
Given the nature of the criminal record, the gang signs and attire, and the cigar thing, doesn't sound too much like an innocent "kid" to me, and a pretty good indication that he most likely DID assault the officer. In Missouri, fear of either death OR great bodily injury to self or others can justify the use of lethal force to prevent such. Sounds to me like he very unwisely copied Trayvon Martin by taking his fists to a gun fight, with a police officer no less.
Elwood,
ReplyDeleteThis time the links came through. Thanks. I agree with your assessment.