Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
I'm talking about the nature of this thread, in general, and the underlying root of the attitudes toward the subject.
The underlying root is the prevalence of conspiracy theory, misdirection, bait and switch, out-and-out lies, innuendos, conveniently missing bits of information, and intentional deflection of the crux of the matter, ALL OVER THE INTERNET that leads otherwise intelligent people to look elsewhere while an injustice is done.
The facts: All kinds of things might have happened before the video tape started at second #1. Floyd might have resisted mightily. That's fine and well, and everyone who thinks this happened is 100% correct. Hypothetically - Floyd was a regular POS who was aggressive and violent and horrible.
NOW LET THAT GO because it has NOTHING to do with the video.
(snip)
What is pertinent to the thread is everything that occurred DURING the time frame of that video.
Everything else is a distraction away from this, and an attempt to minimize the horrendous, atrocious, monstrous crime that Chauvin committed against George Floyd.
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I'm curious where any one individual here can make claim on what's pertinent to the thread and what's a distraction. I'll push back on those kinds of assertions every single time. Threads are conversations that frequently become more broad-based as the discussion moves along.
I went back and reread all of the comments here. I read quite a few diversions from "what's pertinent", like Colin Kaepernick's kneeling, and Chauvin's wife filing for divorce. Yeah, pertinent stuff. I've read comments from people here who label anyone a racist who simply asks to wait and see what an actual investigation and trial turns up. I read where one individual called another an outright liar, and that same individual claimed that we're all (well, except for him, apparently) essentially complicit in Chauvin's act. The frequent retort from this individual is that any comment not toeing his line is merely "obfuscation". Moreover, I'm left with the impression that there are "some" who are hoping that the Medical Examiner's preliminary findings are wrong. Why? How about the truth, whatever that turns out to be?
I'm not here to vindicate any of these officers. From everything I know and have read and seen,
at the very least Chauvin has to be tried on manslaughter charges for extremely reckless behavior. If it can be determined that this was a deliberate hate crime, then obviously the charges increase - as they should. My guess is the other officers there will not escape criminal charges.
But this notion that the video is the be all and end all of history surrounding this incident is clearly mistaken. And how do I know that? Because the criminal complaint against Chauvin says as much. It details what took place before the viral video. Nothing happened in a vacuum.
And no, that does not in any way vindicate nor exonerate Chauvin. But it tells the story of how this all happened.
Some people couldn't care less, I guess. "It's the video, stupid!" I'd like to know what actually led up to this tragedy. And why could that be important? First, to establish the facts. Second, to train future officers on what to do and what NOT to do in any similar set of circumstances. Third, to the extent possible, to try to ascertain why an officer or officers could be in a law enforcement position if they are clearly not suited for it by their actions, their biases and their own work history.
And you know who else wants to know what happened? A court of law. Chauvin's case isn't only going to entail the video moments. It's going to outline the timeline of what occurred prior to that. The complaint against Chauvin says as much. I read one comment here that suggested that we need a speedy trial because otherwise things might get swept under the rug. I actually want the legal system to work.