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Two presidential candidates did a very bad thing last weekend:
They are promulgating a false narrative — a narrative that was comprehensively debunked by the investigation and report of the Obama Justice Department in 2015. The report is readily available online. Brown’s killing may have been tragic — nobody wants to see a young man’s life snuffed out — but calling it murder is inflammatory. Warren’s tweet amounts to race baiting, as bad or worse than the rhetoric she condemns from Donald Trump.
Harris and Warren are intelligent, highly articulate women; they know better. They know exactly what their words mean and the effect they are seeking to create with them. They know the narrative is false, they know they are creating propaganda, they know they are stoking a fire and they are doing it strictly for their own political gain.
A slogan built on a false narrative. When a false narrative is repeated in the face of clear evidence to the contrary, it is simply a lie.
The persistent narrative that Brown was “murdered” — as some persist in claiming, shot in the back while running away or with his hands up (“Hands up! Don’t shoot!”) — is clearly debunked by the forensics and witness testimony. The report states:
“The physical evidence establishes that (Officer Darren) Wilson shot Brown once in the hand, at close range, while Wilson sat in his police SUV, struggling with Brown for control of Wilson’s gun. Wilson then shot Brown several more times from a distance of at least two feet after Brown ran away from Wilson and then turned and faced him. There are no witness accounts that federal prosecutors, and likewise a jury, would credit to support the conclusion that Wilson fired at Brown from behind. With the two exceptions of the wounds to Brown’s right arm which indicate neither bullet trajectory nor the direction in which Brown was moving when he was struck, the medical examiners’ reports are in agreement that the entry wounds from the latter gunshots were to the front of Brown’s body, establishing that Brown was facing Wilson when those shots were fired. This includes the fatal shot to the top of Brown’s head. The physical evidence also establishes that Brown moved forward toward Wilson after he turned around to face him. The physical evidence is corroborated by multiple eyewitnesses.”
Those who — rightly — criticize President Donald Trump for his lies and inflammatory rhetoric must hold “progressive” candidates to the same standard. Apologists for Warren and Harris may wave off their use of the word “murder” as mere semantics — but they know better, too. At least they should. Condemning the rhetoric of “their guy” while giving a pass for the same kind of rhetoric from “our guy” is part of the reason we’re in the divided, hyper-partisan state of affairs we’re in. Those who are promoting “civil discourse” will never get to goal unless they’re willing to hold everyone in the arena to the same standard.
I won’t hold my breath. When I posted on this episode on Facebook, I got comments from several people who insisted that Brown’s killing was unjust and regurgitating the myth that he was shot in the back. I posted a link to the report and asked them each if they had read it. No response. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to infer that they’d rather maintain their false narrative intact than engage with evidence. They’re quick to call out the lies, distortions and inflammatory rhetoric of those with whom they disagree, but if the politics and the cultural narrative suit, lies, distortions and inflammatory rhetoric get a pass. Hypocrisy seems to be the coin of the realm.
*
Bad police shootings happen. Racism exists. A cop in Charleston, South Carolina, who really did shoot an unarmed black man in the back while he was running away is sitting right where he belongs — in prison for 20 years.
Facts matter. The rule of law is a precious gift the founders of the republic gave us. It is the final protection of the smallest minority — the individual — from the tyranny of the majority. That we have failed to truly apply the concept of “liberty and justice for all” through our history brings us shame — but you cannot fix that by abrogating the concept in the present.
Each case must be judged on its individual merits and on the facts as best they can be determined — not on what people want to believe or, worse, what is politically expedient for them to believe.
Greg Walker says
Jim,
When you have Nancy Pelosi offer, during her one day in El Salvador, that she fondly remembers visiting a childrens’ orphanage in El Mozote in the 1970s…and that now those children — that she visited — are all now the age of the new president of El Salvador…you can better understand how “lies, lies, and more damn lies” describes political/social leadership in America these tiresome days.
To date, no one has found where Pelosi was in El Salvador, much less El Mozote, much less at an orphanage in El Mozote “in the 1970s”. Even worse, Ms. Pelosi appears to have been wholly unaware that El Mozote was razed to the ground in December 1981, by the Salvadoran Military, with to date over 981 elderly, women, and children murdered in the most heinous of ways. Sixty percent of those killed were infants and children. There’s only a handful, literally, of the children of El Mozote who are alive today, and all are essentially orphans as a result.
In her comments she mentions nothing about the ongoing El Mozote war crimes trial — bitterly obstructed by both Democrats and Republicans that could, if they truly cared, would unlock the thousands of still classified US documents detailing exactly what was known, by whom, and when within 24 hours of the largest massacre in modern Latin America taking place. Not a word — 18 former/senior Salvadoran officers on trial — not a word from Pelosi.
Michael Brown? When the leading Democrat in the House can and will openly lie about and exploit the Truth of our war in El Salvador and the massacre at El Mozote — how are we surprised the truth of who and what Michael Brown was and did is likewise distorted for public consumption?
For many of us, the interaction between the United States and El Salvador has been transformative in our own advancement in politics. For me, I owe El Salvador a big favor, because in the middle of the seventies – just about the time the President was born, a couple of years earlier, maybe – had the privilege of coming here and we went to El Mozote, all of that.
But I mean, in terms of personally, I was at an orphanage with little children, Mr. President, little children there. And they struck my heart and I said, ‘I’ll never forget you and I’ll always work to hopefully make your future better.’
Those children are your age now, all these years later, some of them maybe a little older. And I wonder what their future turned into. Rather than wonder, we want to make sure we can ensure a future for the children of El Salvador that is very positive.
Matthew says
Police shootings have to be evaluated on a case by case basis. One shouldn’t believe narratives that police are all racist or for that matter all above board. However, when ever a shooting occurs you can bet CNN and MSNBC take the first narrative and Fox News the second.
Ugly Hombre says
The career criminal who shot six police officers in Philly was weaponized for propaganda against the 2nd and the Constitution by Comrade Kamela Harris before the brass had hit the ground.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-shootings-six-shot-suspect-maurice-hill-20190815.html
“Public records show that he has been arrested about a dozen times since turning 18, and convicted six times on charges that involved illegal possession of guns, drug dealing, and aggravated assault. He has been in and out of prison; the longest sentence handed him came in 2010, when a federal judge gave him a 55-month term.“A nd his record indicates he does not like to go to prison. In 2008, he was convicted of escaping, fleeing from police, and resisting arrest. Along the way, he beat criminal charges on everything from kidnapping to attempted murder.”
Harris thought she had a win- she was to stupid to check her six, thought and prayed the shooter was a NRA member, instead it was a member of her voting bock. The progressive media spiked further stories on the matter.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/08/14/what-trash-kamala-quickly-pushes-her-gun-control-plan-while-philly-shooting-unfolds-n2551709
“Democrats, particularly those who are running for president, want to enact strict gun control laws. They’ve each come up with their own “plans” that with supposedly curb mass shootings and end gun violence. California Sen. Kamala Harris came out in full force back in April, saying if elected president, she would give Congress 100 days to “get their act together and have the courage to pass gun safety laws” or she would use executive action to make her proposal a reality”
Sure-How about locking up gun criminals using the laws that are already on the books ‘lady’? Cop shooter Hill should have have been in jail- still doing time, instead he was on the street selling poison to his community and gathering illegal guns that he was already banned from owning.
Harris said-“Wolfie-90 percent of the guns that are associated with crime are sold by just five percent of the gun dealers in the United States and so, among many plans that I have, both in the form of executive action and legislation, one of them is to put more resources into the ATF and take licenses away from gun dealers who violate the law.”
Bull-chit- pure New Democrat Bolshevik- Bull-chit. Egg on her face and caught in another lie again.
You have a choice- a vote for any New Democrat is a vote for Socialist/Communist rule in the United States per their own statements and policies.
Trump a’int a Angel, but hes not a Socialist/Communist Anti- American destroyer either.
As for the truth — compared to the Democrats he is Honest Able..
You can keep your doctor.. lol
Key point here.
Ugly Hombre says
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2019/08/14/what-trash-kamala-quickly-pushes-her-gun-control-plan-while-philly-shooting-unfolds-n2551709
“The worst part of this whole ordeal: she made this proclamation as the shooting was still taking place. The scene was still active and the suspect was still shooting at police.
It’s not like Kamala knew how many officers were shot.
It’s not like Kamala knew how many suspects there were.
It’s not like Kamala knew how the suspect(s) obtained their weapons.”
Yep.. As I said the brass had not even hit the ground, and the officers were still potentially under fire..
Its like- she hates the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment.
Political aggrandizement — everything is an opportunity to this shabby pol.
Greg Walker says
When you have Nancy Pelosi claiming to have visited the site of a war crime (El Mozote) and visiting with orphans as she did last week —
An absolutely false claim (lie) -
And no one calls her on it -
It’s no wonder her fellow “femacrats” such as those in the “squad” display the same traits as the Speaker of the House -
All any of it proves is that you cannot fix Stupid.
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/06/692103008/elizabeth-warren-apologizes-for-latest-revelation-of-native-american-claims
The other Ferguson liar- Elizabeth Warren
“Warren had been listed as “minority” and as Native American when she was part of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School. But “nothing about my background ever had anything to do with any job I got in any place. It’s been fully documented,” Warren said, “and there’s no evidence of any kind” that she was hired because of her claims.”
Another whopper, sure ‘lady’– sure, that’s bullchit- you lied to get preference .And you know it.
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/15/657468655/warren-releases-dna-results-challenges-trump-over-native-american-ancestry
Warren’s DNA analysis, conducted by Stanford University researcher Carlos Bustamante, found that the “vast majority” of Warren’s lineage is of European ancestry. But he also writes that the results “strongly support the existence of an unadmixed Native American ancestor in the individual’s pedigree, likely in the range of 6–10 generations ago.”
“The Cherokee Nation described the DNA test as “useless,” adding that there are legal requirements for tribal citizenship.”
“Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong,” Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr., said in a statement. “It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven. Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage.”
So then she had to apologize and backtrack after managing to offend the Cherokee nation that she claimed to belong to over decades with her lies.
Comrade Harris and Forked Tongue Warren never get any hard ball questions on their lies and Neo- Communist baloney from the biased leftist media.
I would pay money to see them debate Trump- with no cover from the media, he would crush them.
Trump does and says a lot of wacky stuff, but he is not a Socialist/Communist Anti-Constitution hater, he is a helluva fighter and is working for America’s best interests. As opposed to the Democrats who think America is a evil white supremacist nation. Etc etc per their own statements.
lane batot says
NO ONE seems to be calling out anyone on all the lies, half-truths, and distortion of facts on BOTH sides these days–except one side against another–but neither has much impact on the other because of denial, denial, denial. These are certainly the STUPIDEST times I’ve lived in during my half-century-plus(so far.….). There has always been rivalry, but the BLIND stupidity I see on BOTH SIDES is incredible now. Incredibly STUPID! It is like people shallowly supporting their chosen sporting team(in whatever sport), and cheering them on REGARDLESS of their behavior. For the recreation of sports(although BIG MONEY has corrupted them too, of course), the fate of our FRIKKIN’ COUNTRY is not at stake(Gawd, the anti-American Rooskies must be LOVIN’ our dissension–and no doubt helping spur it on any way they can. Ditto for the Anti-American Chinese and radical Muslims; etc. etc. etc.). Sometimes I wonder if all this Demo vs. Repub rivalry is done just to keep the peasant masses disorganized and blind so the ultra elite despots in Washington can continue their power and wealth domination, as opposed to our guvmint SUPPOSED to be one of “the people”. If that conspiracy theory is correct, then our politicians certainly are being quite successful with those tactics! If not, then they are the STUPIDEST leaders ever, and encouraging the STUPIDEST divisive system of governing ever perpetrated on this country! WAKE UP GAWDDAMMIT people! I remember people originally defending less than savory politicians before, but EVENTUALLY, they open their eyes and are EMBARRASSED, and don’t BLINDLY continue to do so–and those politicians power waned. NOW, people BLINDLY defend their choices with no shame or any idea of the RECKONING we will ALL havta pay for such rabid, STUPID faithfulness to the “beloved leader” of their choice! We(the PEOPLE!) REALLY need to get back control, and that starts with TRYING to elect individuals with some sort of honor and integrity(good luck finding THAT in Washington D. C.!). We could start the weeding process by insisting upon(with force, if necessary) and enforcing a strict law that any politician caught LYING(including half-truths, making crap up in the spur of the moment, distorting or exaggerating facts, etc.) will be SEVERELY FINED. After 3 lies(each fined SEVERELY), they are OUT! I think this simple policy would go FAR in changing the whole, dishonest, corrupt quagmire regarding politics in Uhmareka! It would certainly mostly depopulate Congress and the Whire House as presently occupied.…
lane batot says
…that would be “White House”, not “Whire House”–although it is most assuredly “wired” by somebody.……
TJ says
Segments of our government and politicians are not interested in the truth Jim and every domestic law enforcement professional needs to understand that before they enter, or remain on the job. Made peace with it long ago.
Not too long ago — we had an armed robbery suspect on the run blocks from the department. Needless to say the PD, sheriff, CHP and even DA cops were involved.
Simultaneously, a run of the mill 5150 (mental health related call for service) went out literally across town. It devolved into a mentally ill subject attempting to smash through the window of a residence with a knife and a rock to assault the random civilian resident.
A lone officer (lots a time on) arrived and had a non compliant armed suspect at gun point. Another investigative sergeant arrived on scene with limited (non patrol uniform) force options, but he was a cop on the east coast for years before coming to us.
It took me four minutes to get there code three lights and siren. We had about 75 plus years experience between the three and that’s three cops and an armed suspect in an approximately 30’ x 10’ side yard.
At one point the knife was literally shot out of the suspect’s hand by less lethal means (yes some luck in combination with skill and training); taser deployed and although she slashed my pant leg and boot with the knife; we did not utilize lethal force. Refer to Craig’s “The People I Could Have Shot” thoughts for reference.
In fact, had I wound up with her knife buried to the handle in my eye socket, any police tactics expert worth their weight, would have justifiably questioned why this suspect wasn’t shot.
A close call for sure but a win for all involved. The press response comments re the incident were indicative of the same false narrative you speak of. Jim — we shot the knife out of her hand.…… Granted, she picked it back up and tried to kill me with it but hey, it was some Hollywood level movie stuff?.
My point is, you can have police car dash cams showing a drug crazed suspect charging an officer who shoots and unfortunately kills the suspect and it’s still not enough. Also happened at our department.
Not much outrage when cops are murdered on the street however? We DO NOT get paid to be murdered. You correctly pointed out the officer serving prison time for shooting an unarmed suspect not posing an immediate threat and regardless of his original violation and or arrest warrant, it’s a bad shoot.
Every man and woman wearing the uniform has to comprehend the current narrative and understand the risks Jim.
Also remember that a significant portion of our public support and trust their public servants and even though we respond to and try our best to help those who in some cases hate us for what we represent, we willingly serve both portions of our society.
I choose to remain and many of us do. Even after 26 years. It’s a great job; difficult yes especially as “some of us” start breaking mechanically, but most of us dig what we do.
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TJ says
Jim
and for those interested
Both sites keep current on L/E related news; dash cam videos; training; politics; editorial and the like.
https://www.policeone.com/
https://www.calibrepress.com/
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Ugly Hombre says
Thank you for your service Sir- stay safe out there.
TJ says
Thank You
I am happy and privileged to serve!
Most of us feel that way BTW
TJ