US: State of emergency in Missouri

[webfact]

Michael Brown: Missouri governor activates National Guard

(BBC) The governor of the US state of Missouri has activated the state's National Guard in anticipation of a grand jury decision over the killing of an unarmed black teenager.

In a statement, Jay Nixon said the guard will "support law enforcement's efforts to maintain peace".

A panel is deciding whether to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the August death of Michael Brown, 18.

No specific date for the jury's decision has been given.

The St Louis County prosecutor has said he expects the grand jury to reach a decision in mid-to-late November.

Michael Brown, 18, was shot and killed by Mr Wilson in August after a confrontation in Ferguson, a majority-black suburb of St Louis.

Witnesses say Brown had his hands up in apparent surrender to the officer when he was shot.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30091336


-- BBC 2014-11-18

[RustBucket]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

The National Guard won't be so effective. They will still burn and pillage.

[Ulysses G.]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

[F430murci]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

The National Guard won't be so effective. They will still burn and pillage.

Not as always. If you have no actual knowledge about something, perhaps you should refrain from passing judgement lest you sound like a dumb a...

[NeverSure]

Some who aren't Americans might not understand this. The National Guard is under the leadership of each state governor. Each state has its own national guard. It is fully military and will have military equipment including fighter jets, choppers, etc. But it is still a function of each state.

So the "CEO" of the state's national guard called on the guard to stand by in case of riots by people who would then be criminals by rioting.

[Pinot]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder.

[squarethecircle]

"Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder. "

If the man was going for the cop's gun and the cop was shooting in self-defense, not murder.

[Ulysses G.]

If the man was going for the cop's gun and the cop was shooting in self-defense, not murder.

Of course and true in any civilized country.

[new2here]

Until the full transcripts of the grand jury proceedings are released, I think you can't comment, factually, as to right, wrong or otherwise... Speculate? sure... Know? I don't think so.

I do support the idea of a grand jury as a means to establish probability of the commission of a crime - thus setting the stage for a trial, at which point the State must now prove their case.

I can see - only from what I've read - a case being made for both sides here.. But until I, or a grand jury, can see all those facts, I don't know that bringing this to trial is appropriate.

I believe in the grand jury system essentially as a vetting tool for the State to show that there is at least a basis for bringing someone to trial.

[rethaier]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Oh come on General. You can't be serious a black man with his hands in the air is hardly a threat. There's a clue here "From the information that has been made public". The police in the US only release want they want to release. Thai cops save face, US cops cover their butts.

[saakura]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

The National Guard won't be so effective. They will still burn and pillage.

They will be allowed to burn and pillage in a 'controlled' manner. Face saving for both sides.

[maidee]

for "face", they should arrest the policeman and put him in jail, followed by witness protection program on a nice island

everybody happy

[kamahele]

"Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder. "

If the man was going for the cop's gun and the cop was shooting in self-defense, not murder.

The information that has been made public so far which is by no means all of the evidence, seems to show that the deceased young man had grappled with the officer's gun while the officer was still in his car and the gun was fired in the car first.

[kamahele]

Results from independent investigators seem to back up the officer's version of events in this case.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/10/michael-brown-autopsy/381761/

[Credo]

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder.

No, I am sorry but in the vast majority of the world, the police shooting someone goes unnoticed.

It's quite interesting how they always figure out that someone is unarmed after they have shot them.

[Baerboxer]

Some who aren't Americans might not understand this. The National Guard is under the leadership of each state governor. Each state has its own national guard. It is fully military and will have military equipment including fighter jets, choppers, etc. But it is still a function of each state.

So the "CEO" of the state's national guard called on the guard to stand by in case of riots by people who would then be criminals by rioting.

Thanks for that.

It's a good way of ensuring State sovereignty.

In the UK we have local police forces in England and Wales based on counties or combinations of counties. But the volunteer military reserves are under the command of the full time military. Our counties and big cities ceded a lot of power to central government due to the 2 World Wars, which has never been given back, The British government would have an easier time restricting and controlling its citizens than an American government would.

Edited November 18, 2014 by Baerboxer

[chuckd]

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Oh come on General. You can't be serious a black man with his hands in the air is hardly a threat. There's a clue here "From the information that has been made public". The police in the US only release want they want to release. Thai cops save face, US cops cover their butts.

I'm presuming you have photographic or video proof that Brown had his hands in the air.

If so, why not contact the Grand Jury Foreman to present your evidence?

[chuckd]

The rioters, and possibly looters, are getting ready for a decision. My guess is they will riot even if Wilson is indicted.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

#Ferguson Protest Group Releases List of Targets, Including: Anheuser Busch, Boeing, Emerson Electric, Airport

Posted by Jim Hoft on Monday, November 17, 2014, 11:28 AM

The Justice for Mike Brown Ferguson protest group released its list of potential targets following the decision by the St. Louis County Courthouse on the Mike Brown case.

The published map shows expected landmarks like the Ferguson City Hall and the County Courthouse.

But it also marks things that have NOTHING to do with the Michael Brown situation, like Anheuser Busch and Boeing.

Check out who is on the list here: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/11/justice-for-mike-brown-group-releases-list-of-targets-including-anheuser-busch-boeing-emerson-electric-airport/

[umbanda]

Guns with tranquilizer amunition is used in circus to protect handlers....but... for the US Police... people have less rights than animals....

[ravip]

Thai cops save face, US cops cover their butts.

[Don Aleman]

ep, the spooks are at it again but this time an new, energized KKK has said , to paraphrase : " If those ^*%$#%^

spades act up we will do likewise ", and this was said while brandishing machetes and ropes !I am supplying cheerleaders to the KKK !

[Suradit69]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

The National Guard won't be so effective. They will still burn and pillage.

Sounds like a parallel event to the shooting of a ten year old Palestinian. Police or soldiers can always find some lame excuse for being trigger happy when the victim is considered to be a nuisance or essentially disposable. Not saying it's easy to be a soldier or cop in a tense situation, but in many cases the government is licensing the use of lethal force by people who are neither well-trained nor mentally stable under stress.

Edited November 18, 2014 by Suradit69

[CMNightRider]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder.

Ridiculous??? I think not. The unarmed young man (three hundred pound gang member) jumped into the officers squad car, and attempted to take the officers weapon away from him. As a result, the three pound gang member was shot and killed.

What would be a "bizzaro world" is if the police officer was charged with murder. The vast majority of people on this planet, have the common sense to understand why the officer shot this fool. Evidently, you are not part of the vast majority of people on this planet.

[billsmart]

A Grand Jury does not find anyone guilty or not guilty, they only return a bill of indictment or don't. What that means is they look at all the evidence (that's presented to them by the District Attorney - the prosecutor) and then decide if there is enough evidence to indict, charge with an offense and then go forward with a trial.

None of us know for sure what evidence was presented to the Grand Jury. Usually the DA slants his presentation to show guilt so he will get an indictment. In this case it sounds like there was a lot more and conflicting evidence presented supporting both sides of this issue.

My opinion from all I've seen and read is that there will be no indictment, and if there is it will be for some lessor offense. I do think that this does go to a jury trial the officer will eventually be found Not Guilty. This is not because I think the shooting was absolutely justified but because the laws favor the officer. In Missouri an officer has an OBLIGATION to pursue and apprehend a fleeing felon by any means necessary, including shooting him. If the officer knew or strongly suspected Brown had just robbed a convenience store, and if during the second confrontation Brown did grab for his gun and then flee, the officer was then chasing a fleeing felon. Also at any time if he felt his life was in imminent danger he is allowed to shoot. And he of course in all these legal proceedings he is entitled to the presumption of innocence so the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt is on the prosecution..

[arjunadawn]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

The victim narrative is embraced and celebrated as a viable tool to basically "hostage take" justice and reason; this same narrative is played out by other populations in the world. This narrative ensures that justice can be held ransom irrespective of facts.

I personally think US law enforcement has become too militarized, too detached, and too insular to effectively be a community partner in most locations. Law enforcement increasingly treats their areas of operations as if managing a zoo. Sadly, in many cities it is easy to see how this has happened. But the police do not have a mandate nor legal capacity to be increasingly militarizing. It is a dangerous slippery slope that would make the stasi proud. Having said this, it is pretty suggestive that this cop may not be guilty and threats of violence are effectively threatening a jury pool. In this and some other recently celebrated media contrived racial injustices we see the "victims" as people we would hasten to grab our children from, lock our doors, and quickly avoid.

Congratulations Obama and Holder, your accessory aims of transforming and Balkanizing American seem to be paying off!

[arjunadawn]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

The National Guard won't be so effective. They will still burn and pillage.

Sounds like a parallel event to the shooting of a ten year old Palestinian. Police or soldiers can always find some lame excuse for being trigger happy when the victim is considered to be a nuisance or essentially disposable. Not saying it's easy to be a soldier or cop in a tense situation, but in many cases the government is licensing the use of lethal force by people who are neither well-trained nor mentally stable under stress.

I was so tempted to also make the connection to the Palestinians. However, my point was to indicate how people's embrace and celebrate a victim narrative that seeks to afford them special rights, not equal rights.

There is no indication that this cop, nor your fictitious soldier in the Levant, is ill trained or mentally unstable. Including this suggestion here appeals to the emotional, such as the protesters are doing in the US. These are the means by which an enlightened society slowly dies.

[JDGRUEN]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder.

You have no understanding of law of self-defense and the laws for a police officer in self-defense... in the various states of the United States... ignorance if bliss...

[JDGRUEN]

So basically the ruling will be 'not guilty' as always.

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Oh come on General. You can't be serious a black man with his hands in the air is hardly a threat. There's a clue here "From the information that has been made public". The police in the US only release want they want to release. Thai cops save face, US cops cover their butts.

And you only believe the news sources you want to ... the claim the this man had his hands in the air has been refuted by several witnesses. And added to that there is evidence of struggle for the gun - blood in the police car, etc.

Edited November 18, 2014 by JDGRUEN

[JDGRUEN]

for "face", they should arrest the policeman and put him in jail, followed by witness protection program on a nice island

everybody happy

If the Grand Jury finds that the evidence in the case warrants the police officer will be charged ... if not he will not be charged...simple as that...

[JDGRUEN]

From the information that has been made public, it certainly appears that the shooting was justified. In that case, not charging Officer Darren Wilson would be simple justice. If there are riots anyway, it will just make the protesters look like hateful, misguided fools.

Ridiculous. Not charging the policeman who shot down an unarmed young man in the street is anything but simple justice. Maybe in the right wing bizzaro world of Fox News lemmings that's simple justice. In my world and in the eyes of the vast majority of the world...that's murder.

No, I am sorry but in the vast majority of the world, the police shooting someone goes unnoticed.

It's quite interesting how they always figure out that someone is unarmed after they have shot them.

Unarmed?... reports are the nearly 300 pound young man pounded the police officer with his fist and tried to take his gun. The young man had the physical power to beat the officer to death... not to mention the gun he almost got..

Edited November 18, 2014 by JDGRUEN