DEMILITARIZE the POLICE. Change the PARADIGM.

Clearly, I have been saying something along this lines for some time. There is no reason our Police in America need Military Grade Weapons and Vehicles. I was sitting here and some show, that my wife had been watching on MSNBC, was discussing this idea.

One of the justifications as to why they should have it, from some Commentator, was this idea that the Police would have it in case of another 9/11 situation would occur in America. It wasn't "really" intended to help Police Communities, per say.

OK- so as to that here is my two cents.

IF, we feel, as a Nation, not as a Politician, that our Police should have the means to take on some group of Armed Terrorists, that have some how made it deep into our heartland, or on to the shores of our Coasts, other then the weapons they already carry (Guns, Batons, ShotGuns and Rifles), fine. Let them have them. Let them get trained in them.

As a former Hospital Corpsman, and a Veteran of a Foreign War, I get this idea. And I could see the justification behind it.

HOWEVER...

I do believe that this equipment must be kept under lock and key @ the "LOCAL" National Guard Armory. Also, the Police could only ever access this equipment, through the either an order from the Governors Office or the Presidents Office, or possibly a Congressional Declaration of War.

BUT Thats it.  Dealing with warrants...NOT a TERRORIST situation.
Dealing with a Speeding Ticket...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Dealing with Gang Bangers...NOT a TERRORIST situation (a SWAT one perhaps). Dealing with underage drinking...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Arresting a Pot Dealer...NOT a TERRORIST situation. Arresting a Pot Smoker...NOT a TERRORIST situation.  This list could go on and on.

I am going to "double down" on this idea that, IF, they NEED them for combating Terrorists then they need to be in the Governments Armory, somewhere, and only allowed access to them through Governors, Presidents  and Congress.

Thats my two cents. Now granted, it can be tweaked. Its NOT PERFECT. But its an idea to fix a situation and not a bitch. Something I am  going to get better at doing on here. Enough of us are bitching, GUILTY of that crime here as you know, and not enough of us are pitching solutions. So I will 'change that paradigm' when it comes to Policing myself.

I do support Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) plans to file legislation to limit the militarization of local police; its not perfect either, but its a start.  

"Our main streets should be a place for business, families, and relaxation, not tanks and M16s," Johnson says in his letter. "Our local police are quickly beginning to resemble paramilitary forces. This bill will end the free transfers of certain aggressive military equipment to local law enforcement and ensure that all equipment can be accounted for." -  HuffPo. 

Conversation about a tragedy with a Bait and Switch Bigot.

“He looked like he was going to go violently,” said Ronald Ritchie. “If he would have dropped the weapon, he could have came out with his life, but unfortunately, he didn’t.” - IT WAS A FUCKING BB GUN!!! How fucking dare they say he was going out violently. This young man was not mentally ill, was he? Pathetic coverup.

BLACK AMERICA...RISE UP, DONT TAKE THIS SHIT ANYMORE.

and WHITE PROGRESSIVES GET OFF YOUR ASSES and HELP END THIS SHIT!!!

4Q4Q4Q  Social (In)Justice • a day ago

Whoa........I am usually not a big fan of the police. That said drop whatever it is you are holding, real or not. Then have a discussion about your actions.
I consider myself exceptionally rational and I will tell you if I were a Peace Officer I would make it my mission in life to go home to my family after every shift. How 'bout " he was such a nice cop, he always gave people the benefit of the doubt".

Social (In)Justice  4Q4Q4Q • a day ago

I, personally know, that there are good cops out there. Unfortunately, they are a small percentage.

I can't believe that this kid didn't drop the gun, IF, he was asked to do so. I believe they probably just walked up and shot him and then asked for him to cooperate.

But this doesn't happen to White People. Take for instance this example where the guy is even threatening with his behavior.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/l...

Its time we change this paradigm, its time we no longer give the Police a FREE PASS. Its time for Civilians to Operate the "Internal" investigations. This is the only way it will change.

4Q4Q4Q  Social (In)Justice • a day ago

"I can't believe that this kid didn't drop the gun". You know this how? I believe that if this "kid" turned out to be armed to the teeth your comment would be "goddamned black thug".

Social (In)Justice  4Q4Q4Q • a day ago

First...I don't bring in color to discriminate. I point out where people of color are discriminated against.

IF- he were armed to the hilt, WTF would he even bother with a BB gun? Your LOGIC is flawed.

And how dare you place words in my mouth or even begin to think I am a bigot; you don't know me other then my post saying that this kind of tragedy here in the USA must end. Therefore if I were a bigot, I might not be posting that these Police Officers need to be behind bars, I would be rallying behind them with support.

And how can i say "I can't believe that this kid didn't drop the gun." Easily, I was raised in a dominate black neighborhood growing up. I listened to every African-American Mother tell their children about resisting a COPS order and what would happen. ALSO -by saying "I can't believe that this kid didn't drop the gun," is NOT saying HE DID DROP IT or alluding that he did so. It is saying, I CANT BELIEVE he didn't.

If I were him, and I heard COPS yell at someone to drop it, and I not doing anything against the law, I would turn around to see who they were yelling at. I think that may have been the case, but until all the evidence presents itself, I think this is MURDER. A child armed with a BB GUN against a KEVLAR VEST...PFT! JUMP that KID. DOG PILE HIM if you need to.

I spent 8 yrs with the Marine Corps, went to war for this Insane ASS Country, and if i saw a kid with a BB gun and I was in my combat gear, I wouldn't flinch. It may hurt some if I got shot, BUT SO WHAT, thats our job(s).

So please, spare me your own bigotry.

4Q4Q4Q  Social (In)Justice • a day ago

And I spent eight and a half years with the US Army 101st. Airborne Division 63-71. Two tours S.E Asia, youngest 1st. SGT. in that Division and I still think your full of shit. Thank's for your service and welcome home HO RAH.

Social (In)Justice  4Q4Q4Q • a day ago

Im full of shit because i choose not to be racist? Truly you are showing why you are called GRUNTS and why you all are always on clean up duty...like my Father who served in the Airborne during Vietnam; two prerequisites for Airborne..ignorance and arrogance.

4Q4Q4Q  Social (In)Justice • 13 hours ago

First I am not a racist, second the reason Marine's are aboard ship? So the sailors will have someone to fuck while out to sea. Oh and another thing.......our motto "Follow Me". Order of battle in Nam 1st Air Cav., 101st. Airborne, 1st. Marine Div. Order of Battle Iraq Operation Freedom 173rd. Airborne Brigade 101st. Airborne Division.
"Follow Me Marines".

Social (In)Justice  4Q4Q4Q • 10 hours ago

HA! You slay me...good try. Marines always open the door first, and then you wussies come in an clean up. Face facts. Just like you probably are a racist when you think others must be; thats called your own conscience trying to justify its own morality.

You can say "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, BLAH" all you want about not being racist. But clearly, once again trying to point your fingers at others in an attempt to call them a racist is just the kettle calling others black.

Perhaps you need a therapist to overcome your delusions of grandeur; I have a few friend in that field so if you want I could see if they would give a referral for you. One that takes on bigots and isn't as judgmental as you are.

You can say you're NOT...but clearly by attacking my post, where I am trying to defend a citizens right to buy a legal gun, from a store that can sell them legally and gets gunned down by Police must be racially motivated because of all the examples that we have of that behavior within Police in this Nation now, and the fact that some TWIT called the Cops because he saw a Black Man with a BB GUN, and they come in guns blazing.

Look in the mirror and Judge yourself before you have the audacity to judge others. Is audacity to big of a word for you? I mean you were in the Army and they do take anyone and everyone...high IQ's and uber low ones. You could google it (you know what that is right?)...or I could list it for you. Just let me know what you need; I taught special ed. for 6 yrs, and if i can teach and help them overcome their needs, Im sure I can help you as well.

OH and another thing...your Disqus ID proves how ignorant and asinine you are. REALLY? FUCK U FUCK U FUCK U...such a grown up. (I bet you are, or were a Reservist huh? Couldn't cut the real thing...for shame and now you try to act Hard. Pathetic Bigot).

4Q4Q4Q  Social (In)Justice • 2 hours ago

Nope two and a half tours, CIB with two Star's , 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star and President's Citation plus the usual Campaign and Good Conduct. Not braggin' you opened it up. Finished up in Weisbaden, Germany teaching the 10th. Mountain Division and 11th. Special Forces Group to jump from a United States Army aircraft. Notice a trend here? All the truly bad bastards want to be jump certified. Arrogant.........certainly I'm Airborne. Tell your Dad I said "Currahee.........All the way". 173rd.Airborne was the first unit in Iraq and a 101st. Mechanized Unit fired the first shot and drew first blood. HooRah asshole. What was your last MOS and duty station? Special Ed. teacher? I had you figured for "home schooled".

Social (In)Justice  4Q4Q4Q • 22 minutes ago

Again, you figured wrong...cause of your arrogance. My last duty station was the 2nd FSSG in Camp LeJeune, NC. Teaching Microvascular Surgery and pulling duty as Color Guard. Received 80 credit hours for the American Medical Association for the Physician One category award; one of a few hand selected Corpsman ever to receive this training by Captain Woody E. Woodruff; the inventor of many of the microvascular procedures that are used today. That means I was certified to teach heart and kidney transplants, digital reconstruction, etc.

It doesn't take intelligence to jump out of plane; and Special Forces; hardly. You are way to much of an arrogant person to be honored with that award; so now you are also branded a liar. But good googling that info. I will give you a bronze star for being intelligent enough to look for something that sounded "cool." Also , what a disgrace you are trying to boast that you received a bronze star and purple heart.

And yes, special Ed. Teacher; Vocational Education: Building Trades, Maintenance, Drama (Lighting and special effects etc). Once I got of the service I worked as a Public Health Investigator, before being accepted into an Ivy League school to get my degree in Art Education and screen writing. I believe in giving to my community and those in need and enjoyed every minute of it. Not taking form it, or even acting like a Bigoted ass that you and your comments prove to the world you are.

IF you EVER wore a UNIFORM (more then that two week period before you got out of active duty on an Administrative discharge) you are a disgrace to it and all those that have died wearing them. You have no Professional bearing or integrity about you; once again I point to your 4Q4Q handle and your comments to me to prove such a thing.

Anyhow, you bore me with your lies, bigotry, pettiness and arrogance. You can post all the comments you want...continue to prove to the world what an ass you are, our conversation has now ended. I will however, post all these comments @ http://unjustsociety.blogspot.... to show your asinine bait and switch comments and bigotry to the world. People in this country are getting tired of rhetoric from trolls like you and the jackass behavior you display...

This conversation was over this post from www.rawstory.com on the Murder of the young man at Walmart found "here."