I confess I’m a typical pinko/progressive/UU type. I look for the underlying causes of societal problems and the related solutions. Hence. the events and aftermath of Ferguson gets me. Today on Left Ahead, Ryan Adams and I kicked around the implications and, we hope, the positive changes that may arise.
For this very opinionated group, I wonder how you look at it two weeks in.
I’ll tuck in our half hour of chatter below…for those not tired of coverage and commentary.
For one, we see a clear consensus, even among right wingers, to stop the craziness of hyper-militarized local police forces with federal surplus armaments and vehicles. It’s human nature; if cops have the gear, they’ll find times and ways to use ’em.
Ryan has optimism that body video cameras are right behind. Mike was skeptical that what Ryan calls “bad actors” would not record their interactions, absent knowing they’ll be charged for fired for doing that.
On the hand, more fundamental fixes are harder and further out. Consider:
- Real recording and database of police killing and maiming of civilians (even the FBI doesn’t have these stats and details)
- Per-municipality civilian-review boards with power to investigate and even subpoena officers
- Police accountability for abuse and death charges
- Police chief, DA and judicial shift to holding officers responsible, and bring charges as fit
To us, the Ferguson FUBAR is a horror. Yet, it shines such a bright light on the problems that several good results are possible.
Who thinks this may be a catalyst for fundamental change?
~Mike
Our culture is too screwed up for this to matter. There’s a neigh infinite regression of causality/blame for all the awful crap that goes on, too.