Talk about shooting yourself in the foot

[JonWilliams]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

[Stu from NYC]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

Oh my. Firsts they protest ignoring social distancing and than destroy something that might be helpful in saving their lives.

As the old saying goes, cannot fix stupid.

[davem4616]

I'm trying really hard to stay neutral and support these protestors...but they are really stretching it with all the damage that they are doing, for what damn reason???? It's their own damn neighborhoods that they are trashing

[manaboutown]

That behavior does not surprise me. Stupid cannot be fixed. That it has been allowed by government to run rampant and violent for so long does. Again, stupid cannot be fixed.

[Stu from NYC]

I do not understand why the local govt's are allowing the destruction and criminality to continue

[billethkid]

I do not understand why the local govt's are allowing the destruction and criminality to continue

We have been becoming increasingly permissive with no respect or discipline and now it is out of control.
Federal/state/local leadership will no longer do anything that MIGHT offend anybody. The usual position is to wait and it will go away.

This time....maybe not. At least not until the silent major stands up and demands enough is enough.

[tophcfa]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

Many of the personal sacrifices millions of Americans have endured since early last March will very likley be undone by the total lack of respect given to the threat of Covid-19 by the protests going on. Many states will arrest or fine people for having gatherings of more than 15 plus people, but it's OK for thousands of people to dangerously gather to protest and destroy neighborhoods and the livelihoods of businesses, and that's somehow OK. Go figure?

[newgirl]

Haha good luck finding a place to be tested here, even my 2 doctors could not get tests !! The numbers reported are full of very horrifying inaccuracies .

[alfredpopcorn@gmail.com]

Excuse me . So protestors and rioters are one in the same ? Just the fact that all pandemic rules were not followed is similar to committing murder ? Isn’t that what we where told ?

[MOMOH]

If the media started covering the peaceful protests instead of the riots we might feel better about things. But that is boring news so it doesn't make it. The media could change the whole tenure of a story if they cared to. Bad behavior makes headlines. Have you ever read a story about it being a beautiful sunny day? Nah...

[Windguy]

Seriously????

I think you missed the sarcasm...

[allsport]

The arrests being made by the police in the areas where places have been destroyed including the police station and in KY are young white males affiliated with the White Nationalist terrorist. You have not point.

[golfing eagles]

Excuse me . So protestors and rioters are one in the same ? Just the fact that all pandemic rules were not followed is similar to committing murder ? Isn’t that what we where told ?

Well, protestors during the day, rioters and looters at night. I wish they would keep their day jobs.

[Windguy]

It’s amazing how easily people are swayed by media with a bias. The headline said testing sites were destroyed by protestors. They were not destroyed by protestors—they were destroyed by rioters. The vast majority of protestors do not riot, but it doesn’t fit their agenda of demonizing the protests to put it that way.

If this story made you angry and hate the protests even more, you’ve been conned.

[riamd1954]

They’re not stupid there savages

[JonWilliams]

Haha good luck finding a place to be tested here, even my 2 doctors could not get tests !! The numbers reported are full of very horrifying inaccuracies .

Santos Urgent Care, with offices in Mulberry Grove, Lake Sumter Landing, and Colony Professional area, offers both PRC testing for the active virus and anti-body testing.

You don't need to be symptomatic and don't need permission from your primary care physician.

Cost is covered by most types of health insurance, including Medicare, and the copay likely covered by your Medicare supplement.

You can just walk in, but if you have active symptoms they want you to call ahead 888-693-2340. But you can still get tested.

I was tested on a recent Saturday and got the results the following Tuesday (thankfully, no evidence I had been exposed to the virus).

[life is fun]

Key is to understand what black lives mater and antifa are really about It isn’t about? Follow the money trail. There’s your answer. It’s about destroying our country

[JonWilliams]

It’s amazing how easily people are swayed by media with a bias. The headline said testing sites were destroyed by protestors. They were not destroyed by protestors—they were destroyed by rioters. The vast majority of protestors do not riot, but it doesn’t fit their agenda of demonizing the protests to put it that way.

If this story made you angry and hate the protests even more, you’ve been conned.

I guess you missed the quotes around "protests" indicating sarcasm.

[Bikeracer2009]

Yeah, I get it. "They" are "stupid", "violent" etc. I don't believe that most protesters are either of those. Some of the violence is coming from agitators, criminals and thugs. A few protesters get caught up in the heat of protesting. A few protesters get an adrenaline rush joining in on looting. I've seem protesters chasing off these bad people and protecting people and property.

I'm not defending anyone and I do see the violence as deplorable behavior. I also see the pain.

I don't have any statistics to support my opinions and I could be wrong. Just my observation.

[17362]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

They were taught to rule with their emotions and that is the only thing that matters. No society can obtain social justice being ruled by oneselves emotions. An important lesson that was withheld in their cause.

[jbrown132]

If the media started covering the peaceful protests instead of the riots we might feel better about things. But that is boring news so it doesn't make it. The media could change the whole tenure of a story if they cared to. Bad behavior makes headlines. Have you ever read a story about it being a beautiful sunny day? Nah...

The media does not report the peaceful protests because it does not fit their agenda.

[DanBrew]

I recently responded to an email from a left leaning friend who made the statement, "ALL police are crooks and thugs". My response back was that I stopped reading whatever they had to say when I read that statement. That is equivalent to stating that all black people are rioters and looters. This sort of thinking is what is contributing to the problem. This is an example of an emotional response, on both sides of the equation, to a miniscule percentage of the population. When injustice happens, deal with it swiftly and put an immediate end to that injustice. Unfortunately, or justice system and our mass media don't operate that way. As a result, a fire is fueled that doesn't need to be.

[Saluce]

The droves are owned by the media and are being Spoon fed the media’s opinion of what they want them to believe!!! Gone are the days of reporting the news and allowing g people to form their own opinion or even fact checking!!! And we wonder who the great divider is of our county......I personally believe it’s the media! I quit watching mainstream media a long time ago, they are nothing more than a glorified talk show of their own opinion.

[gpk111]

They were taught to rule with their emotions and that is the only thing that matters. No society can obtain social justice being ruled by oneselves emotions. An important lesson that was withheld in their cause.

A mass attitude of "Ruling with emotions" is what jumps out at me when I see the irrational demands and violence. Thanks for putting a label on it.

Consider the other side of that: Intelligence, deliberation, responsibility (to oneself and their community), logic, education, stable families.

All those things are ignored in raising kids in our "underserved" communities. Fixing things from the inside is taboo. Even addressing the subject is politically incorrect. Outside factors are always blamed: bad cops, discrimination, insufficient hand outs, not enough free housing.

Elected officials don't have the courage to take on the difficult root causes and the cycle continues. I grieve for our country.

I hope that the silver lining of the canonization of St. George will ultimately shine some light on the root causes and why the affected communities refuse to address them.

[cheweycat]

Protesters, even those who live in the neighborhoods, have no buy in to the destroyed business. They do not own anything. They have no pride in what moves in to the neighborhood.
Having been oppressed for so long they just don’t care.

Maybe community involvement in the neighborhood and businesses would help?

[karostay]

Protesting peaceably for what one believes in should be embraced

Destruction stealing and causing bodily harm under the pretense of protesting should dealt with harshly and swiftly

[Pdesensi]

I really don’t think they are protesting in the areas that they live. Some are not even residents.

[Bay Kid]

Don't these people ever work?

[ldivens]

Obviously Covid-19 is no longer a threat. If it were, the President, Congress, Governors and local politicians would be doing something to "save" lives. Instead all you see and hear is how the have right, and they do, even in the event of a breaking Covid-19 protection laws. They are highjacked by Antifa and other violent groups that destroy and even worst the statistics don't support the cause. Who cares they are angry and all of American needs to bow to their madness. We have a new fear, riots and destructions, all lives matter.

[karostay]

Don't these people ever work?

Their like feral cats ..No disrespect to the cats
They live solely off hand outs

[Stu from NYC]

Obviously Covid-19 is no longer a threat. If it were, the President, Congress, Governors and local politicians would be doing something to "save" lives. Instead all you see and hear is how the have right, and they do, even in the event of a breaking Covid-19 protection laws. They are highjacked by Antifa and other violent groups that destroy and even worst the statistics don't support the cause. Who cares they are angry and all of American needs to bow to their madness. We have a new fear, riots and destructions, all lives matter.

Disgusting and disgraceful that govts on all levels do nothing to stop the destruction.

[billethkid]

Disgusting and disgraceful that govts on all levels do nothing to stop the destruction.

Why do we the people continue to allow that to be the case?

[Cheiro]

I'm trying really hard to stay neutral and support these protestors...but they are really stretching it with all the damage that they are doing, for what damn reason???? It's their own damn neighborhoods that they are trashing

If you watch the videos carefully, you can see the "Agent Provocateurs" doing the majority of the damage. While the protests were going on, on just one occasion, I could see a white guy, holding an umbrella (it was not raining) as a screen, walking down a street in the early evening swinging a sledge hammer breaking all the windows of the stores as he went. If you also notice, following the initial disturbances, the vast majority of the protests all over the country (much less the world) were peaceful and not only peaceful, but as they continued, they grew in size to hundreds of thousands. Hundreds of thousands of "peaceful" demonstrators. Which, by the way, is their right as protected in the First Amendment to the Constitution;
#3 "...the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech."
and
#5 "...the right of the people peaceably assemble."

P.S. As I watched George Floyd's brother testify before Congress yesterday, I could not help but be effected. The man just buried his brother and how he managed to be so eloquent in his plea to the Representatives was truly inspiring. It is time to stop denying African American people their humanity.

[chas39]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

You think that wasn’t planned! Think again!

[notme6w]

Called VOTES

[Neils]

I'm trying really hard to stay neutral and support these protestors...but they are really stretching it with all the damage that they are doing, for what damn reason???? It's their own damn neighborhoods that they are trashing

Wonder how long your support for looters and vandals would hold up if they were in YOUR front yard and banging on your door???

[VillageLiberal]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

This is Fake News, Americans can't trust anything Dr. Birx says, for Christ sake she agreed that drinking bleach and pumping bright light inside the body somehow may help fight the Coronavirus.

[bluecenturian]

Are you upset that protesters and rioters are being lumped together ? So 1 police Officer acts improper and 800,000 are considered racists. That doesn’t reek too strong if hypocracy.

FYI, nationally blacks make up 12.2% of law enforcement and are 13% of the population. That’s a pretty close reflection if society.

No one disagrees that Chauvin was wrong and should go to jail but to say he represents all cops even though they denounce him is pretty ignorant.

[hrenner]

National review is a propaganda site.
Fake news
Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

[Marty94]

Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists were Muslim

There is no single, universally accepted, definition of terrorism. Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85).

Here are a few examples of non-Muslim terrorists:

April 6, 2005, sentencing of Matthew Hale, leader of the white supremacist Creativity Movement, to 40 years in prison for solicitation of violence and obstruction of justice; August 30, 2005, sentencing of white supremacist Sean Michael Gillespie to 39 years for the synagogue firebombing in Oklahoma City; and who can forget Timothy McVeigh? 168 dead, 680 injured. Closer to home: On August 22, 2002, police in Pinellas County, Florida, responded to a domestic dispute detained Robert J. Goldstein after finding numerous weapons and explosives and a “mission statement” threatening to attack Islamic facilities in the United States.

Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt, stated not only for Islam but in general: "Terrorism cannot be born of religion. Terrorism is the product of corrupt minds, hardened hearts, and arrogant egos, and corruption, destruction, and arrogance are unknown to the heart attached to the divine."

[sloanst]

The next "protests" will occur in the affluent neighborhoods. Some will be ready and able to defend their communities. Others will not. Which one are you?

[smacquart]

Sad that violent and looting infiltrators ruined peaceful demonstrators image.

[billethkid]

Any discussion becomes confusing as folks continue to use protestors and rioters/looters as one and the same.
They are not.

Protestors do not riot and loot.
Those who riot and loot do not protest. They could care less. They are activists/thugs bent on destruction.

Why there is not more aggressive measure taken against the rioters/looters remains a mystery......and the major cause of the problems.

Obviously burn baby burn is more newsworthy than peaceful protesting.

[VillageLiberal]

Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists were Muslim

Pretty sure Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, Ted Kaczynski, Eric Robert Rudolph, Wade Michael Page, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Dylann Roof, James Thomas Hodgkinson, James Alex Fields, Robert Bowers, and Patrick Crusius are not Muslim.
Domestic terrorism in the United States - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_terrorism_in_the_United_States#Unabomber_ attacks_(1978–1995))

[VillageLiberal]

The next "protests" will occur in the affluent neighborhoods. Some will be ready and able to defend their communities. Others will not. Which one are you?

So this time by "Protests" you mean white nationalists marching thru affluent neighborhoods carrying their assault rifles to create fear, I for one will be prepared to defend my community from that ever happening.

[Aloha1]

National review is a propaganda site.
Fake news

Actually they got it from The Daily Beast which has a transcript of the conference call in which Birx made the comment. Not one of the fact check sites has refuted the comment.

[Scorpyo]

Yeah, I get it. "They" are "stupid", "violent" etc. I don't believe that most protesters are either of those. Some of the violence is coming from agitators, criminals and thugs. A few protesters get caught up in the heat of protesting. A few protesters get an adrenaline rush joining in on looting. I've seem protesters chasing off these bad people and protecting people and property.

I'm not defending anyone and I do see the violence as deplorable behavior. I also see the pain.

I don't have any statistics to support my opinions and I could be wrong. Just my observation.
No statistics - how dare you. Don't you know this site is only for people with Phd's in Statistics. We'll let it slide this time. For the future go to a site called Google. You'll be able to find statistics that suit whatever opinion you have. I'm sure you'll find - all protesters are rioters; no protesters are rioters; all rioters are lefty's; all rioters are righty's; no such thing as rioters, just misunderstood something or other.
Also, I was going to write something just like you wrote. How did you read my mind?"

[VillageLiberal]

Are you upset that protesters and rioters are being lumped together ? So 1 police Officer acts improper and 800,000 are considered racists. That doesn’t reek too strong if hypocracy.

FYI, nationally blacks make up 12.2% of law enforcement and are 13% of the population. That’s a pretty close reflection if society.

No one disagrees that Chauvin was wrong and should go to jail but to say he represents all cops even though they denounce him is pretty ignorant.

It's a good thing that blacks are in law enforcement, but yet people of color somehow out number white people in prison. There's an old saying "To someone with a hammer everything looks like a nail" , we've allowed black people and people of color to become the nail for law enforcement and that needs to change. When police officers need to fill their quota for the week the easiest place is to head to the black neighborhood. In either neighborhood you'll find someone driving drunk, riding with their high beams on, loitering, jay walking. But going to the black neighborhood is much easier than going shaking down some white kids in an affluent neighborhood, less pushback from affluent whites, and because whites have been hypnotized to believe that blacks are inferior, inclined to criminal behavior, etc... ,probably from watching COPS and Live PD, we argue that it ok.

In 2017, blacks represented 12% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population. Whites accounted for 64% of adults but 30% of prisoners. And while Hispanics represented 16% of the adult population, they accounted for 23% of inmates.

[VillageLiberal]

Protesting peaceably for what one believes in should be embraced

Destruction stealing and causing bodily harm under the pretense of protesting should dealt with harshly and swiftly

Said the King of England to the Colonists in the 1700's

[IvorT]

I think the majority of protesters are well intentioned. I also believe that there are anarchists who just want to overthrow the system, whatever that system might be.
I just saw pictures of the tearing down of the slave-traders statue in England. The people who did it were white guys. No blacks in sight. I blame anarchists in both countries. In fact I suspect that all countries have this small minority of people, who just want to insight chaos.

[Joe V.]

Pretty sure Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, Ted Kaczynski, Eric Robert Rudolph, Wade Michael Page, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Dylann Roof, James Thomas Hodgkinson, James Alex Fields, Robert Bowers, and Patrick Crusius are not Muslim.
Domestic terrorism in the United States - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_terrorism_in_the_United_States#Unabomber_ attacks_(1978–1995))

Research please. Tsarnaev brothers were raised Sunni Muslim.


The Brothers: The Road to an American Tragedy by Masha Gessen

[VillageLiberal]

I think the majority of protesters are well intentioned. I also believe that there are anarchists who just want to overthrow the system, whatever that system might be.
I just saw pictures of the tearing down of the slave-traders statue in England. The people who did it were white guys. No blacks in sight. I blame anarchists in both countries. In fact I suspect that all countries have this small minority of people, who just want to insight chaos.

Agreed, and in the US there are anarchists on both sides of the political spectrum, not just Antifa, although is seems to be the Fox News word of the day - wonder why, but also the KKK, Proud Boys, and Boogaloo. Boogaloo is a group often associated with far-right extremist ideology that wants to initiate a civil war. The Boogaloo movement, members of which are often referred to as Boogaloo boys or Boogaloo bois, is a loosely organized American far-right extremist movement. Members of the boogaloo movement say they are preparing for a coming second American Civil War, which they call the "boogaloo". The term is used by members of the group to refer to violent uprisings against the federal government or left-wing political opponents, often anticipated to follow government confiscation of firearms.

[murlock]

Well said! But when are we going to finally stand up and demand our rights? I am sick of always having tobepolitically correct I am sick of the sensational news instead of correct news, I want honesty!

[VillageLiberal]

Research please. Tsarnaev brothers were raised Sunni Muslim.


The Brothers: The Road to an American Tragedy by Masha Gessen

You are correct, they were Muslim, my apologies. The rest are Christian.

[VillageLiberal]

Well said! But when are we going to finally stand up and demand our rights? I am sick of always having tobepolitically correct I am sick of the sensational news instead of correct news, I want honesty!

What rights are you lacking that need to demanded?

[Cybersprings]

Having been oppressed for so long they just don’t care.



Please explain this "oppression."

[Cybersprings]

The arrests being made by the police in the areas where places have been destroyed including the police station and in KY are young white males affiliated with the White Nationalist terrorist.

How is this even possible? police ONLY arrest person's of color or minorities

[Byte1]

Excuse me . So protestors and rioters are one in the same ? Just the fact that all pandemic rules were not followed is similar to committing murder ? Isn’t that what we where told ?

Yes, protestors and rioters are the same. Anyone observing a crime that does not report it, is an accessory to the crime. Just like how those three other COPS are going to be charged for watching their fellow officer commit an unlawful act.
I have not seen any mention of comparing pandemic violations to committing a murder. Did someone suggest that they were the same?

[Byte1]

What rights are you lacking that need to demanded?

On the other hand, what rights are minorities "lacking" that need to be demanded?

[Byte1]

Good comment, yes that is the thinking. Evidently all Muslims are terrorists too.

And ALL COPs are bad because one is bad, right?

[Byte1]

Santos Urgent Care, with offices in Mulberry Grove, Lake Sumter Landing, and Colony Professional area, offers both PRC testing for the active virus and anti-body testing.

You don't need to be symptomatic and don't need permission from your primary care physician.

Cost is covered by most types of health insurance, including Medicare, and the copay likely covered by your Medicare supplement.

You can just walk in, but if you have active symptoms they want you to call ahead 888-693-2340. But you can still get tested.

I was tested on a recent Saturday and got the results the following Tuesday (thankfully, no evidence I had been exposed to the virus).

Interesting. Did you have symptoms or did you just want to see if you were infected for that period of time? I have been curious as to why anyone would get tested unless they had a specific reason, such as a requirement before entering a work place, etc.

[Cybersprings]

It's a good thing that blacks are in law enforcement, but yet people of color somehow out number white people in prison. There's an old saying "To someone with a hammer everything looks like a nail" , we've allowed black people and people of color to become the nail for law enforcement and that needs to change. When police officers need to fill their quota for the week the easiest place is to head to the black neighborhood. In either neighborhood you'll find someone driving drunk, riding with their high beams on, loitering, jay walking. But going to the black neighborhood is much easier than going shaking down some white kids in an affluent neighborhood, less pushback from affluent whites, and because whites have been hypnotized to believe that blacks are inferior, inclined to criminal behavior, etc... ,probably from watching COPS and Live PD, we argue that it ok.

In 2017, blacks represented 12% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population. Whites accounted for 64% of adults but 30% of prisoners. And while Hispanics represented 16% of the adult population, they accounted for 23% of inmates.

I do not know what the facts regarding the context of those stats are, and I am not sure anyone really does. IF there truly is a racial bias in arrests/convictions/sentencing, it should be addressed. I am not ruling out that there is bias, but stats on percentages do not necessarily mean bias. However, are you suggesting that we should make sure that our prison population is set up to match the population, regardless of the ratios of crime commission? It SEEMS like when objective rules are made for sentencing, they are criticized because they would affect persons of color more harshly. But the rules should be set up independently, rationally and based on the impacts of the crime to society etc, then just applied blindly, and let the numbers fall where they may.

[VillageLiberal]

On the other hand, what rights are minorities "lacking" that need to be demanded?

The Black Lives Matter protests are for Civil Rights. Civil rights, guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics. It's clear that black people and people of color are unfairly discriminated against, targeted, incarcerated, and/or killed. If you believe that people of color are inferior to white people, less educated, poor workers, more inclined to violence, need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, are sucking on the governments welfare tit, are drug dealers and pimps, then you are part of the problem perpetuating the oppression of equal rights of black people and people of color.

Black people and people of color are human beings who unfortunately get targeted by law enforcement more often than white folks because of systemic racism.

[JonWilliams]

Interesting. Did you have symptoms or did you just want to see if you were infected for that period of time? I have been curious as to why anyone would get tested unless they had a specific reason, such as a requirement before entering a work place, etc.

Because of multiple posts on this site, including the one I responded to, to the effect that testing was not available in The Villages. I got tested so I could share my experience and the facts that I learned in the process.

[Cybersprings]

The Black Lives Matter protests are for Civil Rights. Civil rights, guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics. It's clear that black people and people of color are unfairly discriminated against, targeted, incarcerated, and/or killed. If you believe that people of color are inferior to white people, less educated, poor workers, more inclined to violence, need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, are sucking on the governments welfare tit, are drug dealers and pimps, then you are part of the problem perpetuating the oppression of equal rights of black people and people of color.

Black people and people of color are human beings who unfortunately get targeted by law enforcement more often than white folks because of systemic racism.


Do you have any facts to support your claims of targeting? Numbers do NOT indicate intent or bias. They are an indicator to delve further into the situation, but unless the context is fully analyzed, it is not possible to tell if race was even A factor much less THE factor for the difference.

IF due to whatever, societal factors, people of color committed more of certain crimes than other races, would it be acceptable to you to incarcerate them at an equal rate to the commission rate?

Here is a statement I can support 100%... We as as society need to address the fact that the number of people of color in the prison population is hugely disproportionate to their population.

A statement I cannot get behind without any proof to support it is..."Black people and people of color ... get targeted by law enforcement more often than white folks because of systemic racism

[VillageLiberal]

I do not know what the facts regarding the context of those stats are, and I am not sure anyone really does. IF there truly is a racial bias in arrests/convictions/sentencing, it should be addressed. I am not ruling out that there is bias, but stats on percentages do not necessarily mean bias. However, are you suggesting that we should make sure that our prison population is set up to match the population, regardless of the ratios of crime commission? It SEEMS like when objective rules are made for sentencing, they are criticized because they would affect persons of color more harshly. But the rules should be set up independently, rationally and based on the impacts of the crime to society etc, then just applied blindly, and let the numbers fall where they may.

Some people believe its a "Nature" problem - Blacks are just inferior, naturally inclined to violence, etc..., I believe its a "Nurture" problem, our society is forcing these people to become this way. Forcing them both physically and mentally. It wasn't that long ago that our country was segregated, and the perception, and maybe the reality, black education was behind that of whites. As such why should we hire an uneducated black person for any technical well paying job, and in many places the laws were such preventing black people from getting advanced education so as a society we were preventing black people from advancing (I'd recommend the movie Hidden Figures). Many will say, oh that was a long time ago, we don't have those problems today, laws have been put in place to prevent racism, etc... - trust me, I've seen it first hand, racism is alive and thriving, people who practice it know how to try and not get caught at doing it. I've only been in The Villages for a few months, however its been my observation that the racial make-up of the Villages does not match that of the rest of the country. There are, as far as I can tell, very few people of color that live in The Villages. Has there been any research as to why that is? Some might say its too expensive to live in the Villages and blacks can't afford it (racist thinking), some might think its too hot in Florida and blacks don't like the heat (more racist thinking), some might say blacks don't play golf or like to swim (again racist). I don't know the answer, only what I observe, but it would be a great case study.

[tenorgirl]

I do not understand why the local govt's are allowing the destruction and criminality to continue
Votes? Afraid of being called a racist?

[bfoglbird]

Excuse me . So protestors and rioters are one in the same ? Just the fact that all pandemic rules were not followed is similar to committing murder ? Isn’t that what we where told ?

If the protesters that weren't wearing mask was putting people at risk can not the said of the police? Does two wrongs make anybody right?

[bfoglbird]

If the protesters that weren't wearing mask was putting people at risk can not the said of the police? Does two wrongs make anybody right?
ALL you can do IS all you CAN do!!!

[Mumbles]

I'm trying really hard to stay neutral and support these protestors...but they are really stretching it with all the damage that they are doing, for what damn reason???? It's their own damn neighborhoods that they are trashing

I don't need to try hard to support these protesters. First, a miniscule number of people broke into places like pharmacies (might be where some of the testing results were kept), retail stores, FOOD stores-- most of these stores would have supplied them with things they might have felt jypt out of in their lives. Without using the words that would "qualify" what you really mean to say, it sounds like ALL the protesters did this looting. Instead, I might have said, "I'm really trying hard to stay neutral and support the protesters because of those who looted in the crowd," or something like that. I think more of us would feel comfortable with that insight.

Second, a lot of these protesters are millennial people. As a totally separate generation from us, they seem to think and react in many ways differently from us. If you have had children, you might have realized early on that they were not becoming "just like me".

So, bottom line... I can support your feelings because I "think" you didn't mean to paint all protesters with the same brush. Am I wrong? :icon_wink:

[mvbird]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

I used to be able to watch the news. Can't anymore. Distorted thinking, needless destruction, excuses, chaos. My brain can't tolerate it. Feel sick, turn it off, feel better.

[Byte1]

Oh my. Firsts they protest ignoring social distancing and than destroy something that might be helpful in saving their lives.

As the old saying goes, cannot fix stupid.

Apparently, Pelosi feels that "taking a knee" might help. But, when the officer did it, instead of praising him, he will be incarcerated for the rest of his life. One just can't win with everyone. Just being facetious. I agree, you cannot fix stupid. Apparently some feel that throwing money at the problem can glue anything back together again.

[Byte1]

It's a good thing that blacks are in law enforcement, but yet people of color somehow out number white people in prison. There's an old saying "To someone with a hammer everything looks like a nail" , we've allowed black people and people of color to become the nail for law enforcement and that needs to change. When police officers need to fill their quota for the week the easiest place is to head to the black neighborhood. In either neighborhood you'll find someone driving drunk, riding with their high beams on, loitering, jay walking. But going to the black neighborhood is much easier than going shaking down some white kids in an affluent neighborhood, less pushback from affluent whites, and because whites have been hypnotized to believe that blacks are inferior, inclined to criminal behavior, etc... ,probably from watching COPS and Live PD, we argue that it ok.

In 2017, blacks represented 12% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population. Whites accounted for 64% of adults but 30% of prisoners. And while Hispanics represented 16% of the adult population, they accounted for 23% of inmates.

Confusing. So, are you saying that we should only arrest proportionate to the amount of color in a populated area? Or, are you suggesting that white criminals are given more breaks than black criminals? I apologize for not seeing how someone can accuse racial bias based on actual and existing crimes committed by anyone, based solely on the quantity of color incarcerated. By that reasoning, since there is approximately 51% female population in the U.S. there should be equal amount of females incarcerated. But, there is only about 10% females in prison. That should indicate that law enforcement is sexually biased against males, right? Yes, once again I am being facetious. But, the argument that in today's law enforcement that there is overwhelming racism in upholding the law, is ludicrous in my opinion.

[Byte1]

The Black Lives Matter protests are for Civil Rights. Civil rights, guarantees of equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics. It's clear that black people and people of color are unfairly discriminated against, targeted, incarcerated, and/or killed. If you believe that people of color are inferior to white people, less educated, poor workers, more inclined to violence, need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, are sucking on the governments welfare tit, are drug dealers and pimps, then you are part of the problem perpetuating the oppression of equal rights of black people and people of color.

Black people and people of color are human beings who unfortunately get targeted by law enforcement more often than white folks because of systemic racism.

I have seen and heard the word "systemic" quite a bit lately. It is being used improperly in my opinion.
White (and males of color) males are being targeted by law enforcement more often than females, therefore according to the above analogy, there is systemic sexism against males. Female population is a little over half the country, therefore if we do not have half the prison population females then there is a problem with systemic sexism. Or whatever fancy word you wish to call it.

[Barborv]

It's time for the military to step in. Now they are taking over areas! This whole thing went bad very fast. These activist groups saw a way in and went full speed ahead and these stupid young kids are so gullible. What happened to Floyd was disgraceful. No one is denying that. Why isn't there big hype over that retired officer who was killed protecting a friends store? He was a respected law abiding citizen who contributed to society. Why aren't they televising his funeral and memorial service. It's just sickening.
This November, I hope EVERYONE gets out there and makes the right decision because this county is going to hell.

[Stu from NYC]

I have seen and heard the word "systemic" quite a bit lately. It is being used improperly in my opinion.
White (and males of color) males are being targeted by law enforcement more often than females, therefore according to the above analogy, there is systemic sexism against males. Female population is a little over half the country, therefore if we do not have half the prison population females then there is a problem with systemic sexism. Or whatever fancy word you wish to call it.

Bottom line is that us males commit crimes and get caught much more than females.

However from what I read females are working to close the gap.

[Swoop]

It's a good thing that blacks are in law enforcement, but yet people of color somehow out number white people in prison. There's an old saying "To someone with a hammer everything looks like a nail" , we've allowed black people and people of color to become the nail for law enforcement and that needs to change. When police officers need to fill their quota for the week the easiest place is to head to the black neighborhood. In either neighborhood you'll find someone driving drunk, riding with their high beams on, loitering, jay walking. But going to the black neighborhood is much easier than going shaking down some white kids in an affluent neighborhood, less pushback from affluent whites, and because whites have been hypnotized to believe that blacks are inferior, inclined to criminal behavior, etc... ,probably from watching COPS and Live PD, we argue that it ok.

In 2017, blacks represented 12% of the U.S. adult population but 33% of the sentenced prison population. Whites accounted for 64% of adults but 30% of prisoners. And while Hispanics represented 16% of the adult population, they accounted for 23% of inmates.

Black males make up roughly 6% of the population, yet commit over 50% of the murders in the US.

[Holpat39]

How quickly the people who want to dismantle or defund the police departments forget 9/11. It was the police and firemen who ran towards death, not the politicians, protesters/rioters but the news media vilifies the police and glorifies the protesters. What a topsy-turvy world we live in.

[GoodLife]

When police officers need to fill their quota for the week the easiest place is to head to the black neighborhood.

I don't think you've asked any Police officers about this. :ohdear:

[mneumann02]

Some people believe its a "Nature" problem - Blacks are just inferior, naturally inclined to violence, etc..., I believe its a "Nurture" problem, our society is forcing these people to become this way. Forcing them both physically and mentally. It wasn't that long ago that our country was segregated, and the perception, and maybe the reality, black education was behind that of whites. As such why should we hire an uneducated black person for any technical well paying job, and in many places the laws were such preventing black people from getting advanced education so as a society we were preventing black people from advancing (I'd recommend the movie Hidden Figures). Many will say, oh that was a long time ago, we don't have those problems today, laws have been put in place to prevent racism, etc... - trust me, I've seen it first hand, racism is alive and thriving, people who practice it know how to try and not get caught at doing it. I've only been in The Villages for a few months, however its been my observation that the racial make-up of the Villages does not match that of the rest of the country. There are, as far as I can tell, very few people of color that live in The Villages. Has there been any research as to why that is? Some might say its too expensive to live in the Villages and blacks can't afford it (racist thinking), some might think its too hot in Florida and blacks don't like the heat (more racist thinking), some might say blacks don't play golf or like to swim (again racist). I don't know the answer, only what I observe, but it would be a great case study.

Sir, don't you understand that many of your statements only harden conservative views and give them great ammunition to attack liberal beliefs like "our society is forcing these people to become this way. Forcing them both physically and mentally." Society is NOT the biggest problem. It is the breakdown of the Black family unit. Too many children are being raised by one parent or none. This leads to lack of education- too many high school dropouts, not enough higher education. Lack of education leads to lack of good paying jobs. Lack of good jobs leads to criminal activity. Too many young girls having babies before they are 20, which dooms them to a life of poverty. Too many involved in drugs. This is NOT society's fault. Unless we recognize these are THE real issues keeping minorities down, we can not solve them. Tearing down a Confederate statue is maybe number 25 on the list of things we should be spending our time on. Here is one small step- how about every Black Lives Matters member and every Black church member become a mentor so each at-risk child in kindergarten has someone who will stay with them through high school graduation and either then get them into a technical school or college. Bingo- better education, better jobs, better life.

[Villagerjjm]

Dr. Birx said that 70 COVID-19 testing sites were destroyed by the "protests."

Dr. Birx Says George Floyd Protests Have Resulted in the Destruction of 70 Covid-19 Testing Sites | National Review (https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dr-birx-says-george-floyd-protests-have-resulted-in-the-destruction-of-70-covid-19-testing-sites/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=20579552)

Your quote goes to a post by The Daily Beast. I would suggest that you choose another source for your information. Even FOX News does a better job with quotes and facts.

[Eg_cruz]

I'm trying really hard to stay neutral and support these protestors...but they are really stretching it with all the damage that they are doing, for what damn reason???? It's their own damn neighborhoods that they are trashing
Because it not the protesters doing it the rioters from the outside cause the damage

[twinklesweep]

... At least not until the silent major stands up and demands enough is enough.

Excuse me . So protestors and rioters are one in the same ? Just the fact that all pandemic rules were not followed is similar to committing murder ? Isn’t that what we where told ?

The media does not report the peaceful protests because it does not fit their agenda.

Protesting peaceably for what one believes in should be embraced

Destruction stealing and causing bodily harm under the pretense of protesting should dealt with harshly and swiftly

Sad that violent and looting infiltrators ruined peaceful demonstrators image.

Any discussion becomes confusing as folks continue to use protestors and rioters/looters as one and the same. They are not. Protestors do not riot and loot Those who riot and loot do not protest. They could care less. They are activists/thugs bent on destruction. Why there is not more aggressive measure taken against the rioters/looters remains a mystery......and the major cause of the problems. Obviously burn baby burn is more newsworthy than peaceful protesting.

I think the majority of protesters are well intentioned. I also believe that there are anarchists who just want to overthrow the system, whatever that system might be. I just saw pictures of the tearing down of the slave-traders statue in England. The people who did it were white guys. No blacks in sight. I blame anarchists in both countries. In fact I suspect that all countries have this small minority of people, who just want to insight chaos.


Protesters are protesters; rioters, looters, and arsonists are criminals. Unfortunately, just reading the comments in this thread, it seems apparent that lumping both together fits a specific agenda. We might turn out to be concerned at the possibility that the protesters WERE the "silent majority"—and at least for the moment.

There appears to be a deliberate focus of covert groups to get people to associate protesters with criminals. I was told the extent to which people don't want to be confused by the facts (for example, the protesters themselves are, well, protesting; the criminals are burning and looting), because to blur them together fits that agenda.

One comment I read baffles me—about the friend who says EVERY "cop" is bad based on the misdeed of one. Really. Speaking personally: I'm involved with various groups—some political (some party, a couple bipartisan, one extremist), some community oriented non-political, some support groups, and on and on. From time to time the subject of law enforcement comes up, and there are some forceful views expressed, but I have NEVER known or heard anyone EVER express a view like that, nor has one ever been reported to me.... I have no way of knowing, but just from your story, the man sounds like a bigot! And that's a "friend"?

If only an unarmed, handcuffed man had not been murdered in the street in public view by a police officer in the presence of three fellow police officers who did nothing to stop him, none of this would be happening. Darn!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

One comment I read baffles me—about the friend who says EVERY "cop" is bad based on the misdeed of one.

I don't recall reading that, but I do recall the general sentiment that the set of "cops who know a bad cop just did something bad, and they kept silent and didn't report it" is bad. I don't remember the exact meme but something like:

If 10 cops are bad and 1000 cops know about it and don't do anything about it, then 1010 cops are bad.

And that is correct. How many times do we hear "if you know something, say something." "If you see something, say something."

Should we not hold the police to at -least- the same standard that we're expected to maintain?

[Swoop]

Protesters are protesters; rioters, looters, and arsonists are criminals. Unfortunately, just reading the comments in this thread, it seems apparent that lumping both together fits a specific agenda. We might turn out to be concerned at the possibility that the protesters WERE the "silent majority"—and at least for the moment.

There appears to be a deliberate focus of covert groups to get people to associate protesters with criminals. I was told the extent to which people don't want to be confused by the facts (for example, the protesters themselves are, well, protesting; the criminals are burning and looting), because to blur them together fits that agenda.

One comment I read baffles me—about the friend who says EVERY "cop" is bad based on the misdeed of one. Really. Speaking personally: I'm involved with various groups—some political (some party, a couple bipartisan, one extremist), some community oriented non-political, some support groups, and on and on. From time to time the subject of law enforcement comes up, and there are some forceful views expressed, but I have NEVER known or heard anyone EVER express a view like that, nor has one ever been reported to me.... I have no way of knowing, but just from your story, the man sounds like a bigot! And that's a "friend"?

If only an unarmed, handcuffed man had not been murdered in the street in public view by a police officer in the presence of three fellow police officers who did nothing to stop him, none of this would be happening. Darn!

Actually an unarmed handcuffed man was murdered in the street, in public view, by a police officer, in the presence of three fellow police officers who did nothing to stop him. His name was Tony Timpa, but because he was white, his story wasn’t even picked up by the national news networks... No white lives matter protests, no looting, no politicians talking about defunding the police. All because of the color of his skin. Now that sounds racist to me...

[Bwolf1]

Those who are causing damage and destruction are not protesters, they are thugs, looters, anarchists and criminals. There have been thousands of peaceful protesters. The others hide behind peaceful protesters and should face the full impact of our laws. They must be held accountable as criminals, which is exactly what they are. They belong in jail!