Just keep your protest down in Leesburg. Businesses down there are putting pallets of seed, grain, cement, etc in their shop windows to protect from looters. They are locking up valuables and guns in back room safes, worrying that rioters will break in and loot. It's a real good endorsement for whatever the theme of the supposed demonstration is all about. I am sure it will be peaceful because anyone that is not from out of town knows that the majority of Florida residents are gun owners and will NOT tolerate destruction and violence from "peaceful" demonstrations.
This demonstration is all political anyway.

It takes true leadership...for this to happen. :thumbup:

Drew Brees Apologizes (click here)

Your grandmother had to witness horrible events committed by the government in the name of law and order.

Fortunately, she was out in farm country and got out of Germany in 1934. I'm just not following the concept that this event, or even a series of isolated potentially racist actions by law enforcement is equal to a government policy

Just wondering… I didn’t hear that the “re-open Michigan“ protesters started looting their city. Did they?

Not even close - actually, it's far less dangerous than the military, which is a widespread misconception. It depends upon which source you consult but police is usually 14th - 16th most dangerous job. In contrast, aviation/pilot is 3rd. So police is not nearly as dangerous a job as it once, probably, was. Notice at most police traffic stops, there are often two or three police cars before the "stopping" officer even exits his cruiser.

16. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers
25 Most Dangerous Jobs in America – Page 3 – 24/7 Wall St.

Fred

Not all of them, but they sure terrified innocent citizens.

Would be very interesting as to reactions, if it had been young black men, covered in camo with assault rifles and ammo belts strapped on....that did this.

I can guarantee there would have been a whole different response...from many of the usual suspects. :ohdear:

It's been (IMHO...rightfully) said that if you want to get a start on meaningful gun control legislation, watch what happens when large groups of young black men start assembling, while open carrying and acting...exactly like these Rambo wannabe's act. :boom:

All Lives Matter
 

Rest in peace Patrick Underwood (federal officer murdered in Oakland, CA) and David Dorn (retired officer murdered in St. Louis).

so that makes it ok? are you saying he deserved a death sentence?...i love our police & stand by them, but watching that video shows there's something wrong with the way they perform restraint. and i can't get out of my mind that george was already cuffed & subdued! please tell me why they had to apply force to his throat? was it because he refused to get in the vehicle, and if so, don't you think all these strong cops couldn't lift him up & place him in? i read in a ny publication he was possibly high on fentanyl, which would make it easier to get him in cuz he was 'sedated'. so many missing pieces to this story & we are waiting to learn if the cop with the knee recognized george from a previous job, which was a security detail, which bears the question: with all the past crimes, how did george get a security job?

Are you positive this was racial and not criminal, also, justice will be done with or without protest. The system works.

Hmmm.... I wonder why?? Glad you’re going to attend.

Before you going protested really understand what you are standing up for. I encourage everyone to do some background checks look at the real numbers and really understand what it is that you are standing for. Watch the video from Candace Owens May help you understand things and learn the real numbers

So when and where is the White Lives Matter march in protest of the deaths of white people killed by the police? More white people were shot and killed by police in 2018 than black people. These riots are not about Geirge Floyd but about anarchy and terrorism.

Where are the protest marches for the policeman shot in the head and on life support? Where are the protest marches for the other 3 people who were killed recently in the "peaceful" protest msrches? How about for the countless business owners who got beaten down trying to protect their businesses? Black and white people alike were harshly treated during these so-called "peaceful" marches. Where is the justice for all of them? Or is a lot of this just a frivolous chance to burn down businesses, churches, police departments, etc. and to loot for "free" stuff? Those people want total chaos and anarchy in the streets. The peaceful protesters are looking for real, concrete changes and I'm all for that. Where do the rest of us fit in. The peaceful stay-at-homes who are working, peace loving people who are paying for everything? Who is marching for us and protecting our way of life? It can't be all one-sided. We all are Americans who should watch each other's backs. To live in true peace, eberyone has to give and take. There has to be change on both sides. No more senseless killings by cops and no more senseless killings of cops or anyone else. Have meetings with your mayors and governors and write down exactly what all sides need and want and make changes, on paper, in black and white for concrete changes. Riots are never the answer. Peaceful protests are OK, but sitting down and talking will bring about change for the better.

but as far as stress level then it's fourth: The 10 most stressful jobs

Enlisted military personnel of three or four years
Firefighter:
Airline pilot:
Police officer:

so though statistics may show that they are less "dangerous" they are probably more stressful because of the potential that exists.

as the daughter of a policeman, I can only tell you what I saw. My father saw people at their worst. He was unbelievable strict with his children because of what he saw being done by others kids. It was not a fun childhood. at the time he worked as a police officer they walked beats and they rotated shifts every 6 weeks which they now know is unhealthy for one's body clock. now people have assigned shifts. And he was this way back in a time when policemen were respected and people did what they said. now they are taunted and called all sorts of names when they are trying to help. my father only pulled his gun once in his career--someone actually was stealing his car from in front of the police station. My brother, also a cop, was in knife fights, etc. more than once. and this was in upstate NY, not some teaming metropolis.

I think there should be regular mandatory counseling because I think seeing the worst day after day does something to you. you forget the millions of decent people who live quiet, lawful lives.

:agree:

The problem is because of those that keep saying "systemic racism" and refuse to allow it to heal. Liberals mostly, that NEED color, gender, etc. identity politics to control the masses. Racism was healing, but then about ten plus years ago, the new political control decided that the only way they could maintain control with the least amount of work, for the people was to rip the scab off the healing wound. Ever notice that it is the white progressives that are ALWAYS the ones that stir that racism pot?

Bad COPs perpetrated a wrong and will be punished. Now, let this country heal after suffering a great economic loss due to the virus. There is NO excuse for destruction of property and assaults on people that are already down in this country. I'm sorry if I do not have the patience to coddle those that have been slighted, either imagined or real. No one has even proved yet that this incident, tragedy perpetrated by a few COPS is racially motivated. If it turns out that the COP involved has a personal gripe with Floyd, that has nothing to do with his race, no one is even going to go back and fix things. It will just be chalked off in history as a racially based killing. I am not saying that it isn't, but I am saying that these incidents always prove to be spontaneous combustion, before all the facts get released to the public.
The demonstrations have forced action on the part of the leaders. Four men are charged. Now, close up shop and quit destroying what little folks have left after this terrible virus has robbed from us.

Even illegal aliens are rioting and looting. Some were arrested in Phoenix. DACA Illegal Aliens Among 200 People Arrested in Phoenix, Arizona Riots

peaceful protest...not
 

Whomever says that's it's ok to riot, destroy, and loot anyone else's property has to be some sort of stupid. Peaceful protest is a right by law, anything past that is grounds for jail time, or dirt nap depending on whomever you decide to destroy and loot... In this day and age I am appalled at the behavior of what is supposed to be civilization. And btw... I am of American Indian Heritage... in case you want to talk about injustice....

Nothing wrong with protests as long as they are based upon real world scenarios instead of false info. Last year approximately 250 blacks were killed by law enforcement, but over 1000 whites were killed by cops. Where is the out of control rage coming from? More than 50% of the crimes were committed by blacks, so if cops were racists, why aren't more blacks than whites killed? None of this makes sense.

You are going to find out that this particular cop on black killing was not about race, but instead was totally based upon personal and intimate conflict.

I thought this was police brutality how is this turning into a racist black thing? There were more unarmed whites killed by police last year than blacks twice as many. Stop trying to tear this country apart with your racism.

If we measure police brutality in terms of where police kill the largest number of unarmed individuals, without the officers being held accountable, the top five cities are:

New York (New York)
Phoenix (Arizona)
Los Angeles (California)
Jacksonville (Florida)
Chicago (Illinois)

5 Worst U.S. Cities for Police Brutality | Excessive Force Natl Epidemic

Cities with highest amounts paid for civil rights lawsuits against the police.

Attachment 84428

Our former President wrote this very recently:

The elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels.

So I'm pretty sure all the posts on police brutality aren't doing any good, unless the readers here are voters in the cities listed above. That's where the big problems are and where local governments need to be held accountable for them. The Federal government has very little sway over local Police departments.

Don't know where you are getting you info regarding Mr. Floyd's arrest record. Haven't heard or seen that any where. It was murder, plain and simple. Not justifiable homicide. Police have other mean to control a suspect. I am the wife of a former Chicago police officer and still have family on the police force there and I know for a fact they do not use the knee on neck tactic.

Chicago has paid out more than the other top 7 cities combined in civil rights lawsuits against their Police force.

Attachment 84430

All lives matter and at our age protesting should be out of the question. Look at how many people are being killed over this. Got nothing better to do take up a hobby.

I agree with you. Also why the protesting now the cops are in jail these people are looting and destroying property. Leave it along already

I have to disagree with you. At this time, they have all been charged, so you should be pleased with that development and no further discussion is needed.

"Here" is an adverb meaning "in, at, or to this place or position" this place, to me, would translate to a radius of within about 25-35 miles from where this forum is dispatched, not the entire country. This is what the poster meant, and I believe you KNOW that's what was meant - but made a conscious choice to be argumentative. If people can't even be nice/respectful to one another on this forum, how can you possibly expect it to happen throughout (your version of) "here."

Further, some, even many, ARE blaming ALL police. For example, I saw a photo in the paper of a young woman holding a sign that said "NO GOOD POLICE." And there have been plenty of pictures of police being dragged and beat on, and the firebombing of a police station. Be honest, it's been open season on police for more than a couple of years now. And the media ABSOLUTELY does not treat them fairly. They jump on reporting all the ALLEGED behavior, and when if it turns out to be false, they turn into crickets and the public NEVER hears about it. I am VERY well acquainted with such, and I'll leave it at that.

I absolutely support the need to get rid of over aggressive police - and this is a perfect example of an over aggressive policeman and his underperforming sidekicks. Quite honestly, I'm so fed up with the attacks on police (over the past several years) I wish they would turn in their badges and just say 'take this job and shove it.' It isn't worth the miserable pay/hours/danger/false accusations/etc., that all face because of a minority of bad cops.

I wish for discussions that really examine and address the issue - but it must go in both directions and with open and honest feelings expressed from both sides. I'm not about touchy feely stuff, but feelings about one another is what causes it. The feelings may be based on studies, personal observations/experiences, or upbringing; it all has to be addressed. Merely being forced to cower to political correctness is NEVER going to successfully move the issues toward resolution. In my humble opinion, having PC forced down people's collective throats has led to an even worse situation and resulted in people who have lost any sense of tolerance and acceptance of those 'disagreed' with, into people who hate; hate spills over into action. Even if perfect discussions occur, we as a people, are still going to have some bad apples who will never come around... both racists (racism doesn't just go in one direction) and over-aggressive police officers. For them, I'm afraid all we can do is watch for the signs and take appropriate action sooner rather than later.

I do understand the massive protests right now -- on top of another killing, people are wound up over being locked down, having lost jobs, etc., due to COVID-19 and they are letting it all out with this killing. And that would be fine - if it were only peaceful protesting. But it isn't, sadly. It's not just protesting, it's uncalled for rioting and looting. Even Mr. Floyd's family has said 'knock it off!'

I wish Mr. Floyd's family peace in their sorrow, I wish for him to RIP, and I wish for all who choose to join the protests to remain peaceful and respectful while 'voicing' their opinions and allowing those wanting to protest to release their frustration without destruction.

If I have offended anyone reading this, please know that was not my intention. It may be my lack of being able to express my thoughts/ideas perfectly; I've found that as I get older, I seem to not be able to pull out words that I once knew. Take care and be well! And if you choose to protest - be safe.

You did fine, thank you.
Steve

///

Somebody always has to politicize a situation and post blame. People have the right to assemble in America!

"Systemic Racism" = Fake News
 

Read this & educate yourself on the false claim of "systemic racism"...
Wall Street Journal op-ed: Hold officers who use excessive force accountable, but there’s no evidence of widespread racial bias

This is going to TRIGGER the SNOWFLAKES on here but I'm gonna say it any way...

[B]ALL LIVES MATTER[/B. Wake up people--especially the supposedly "woke" crowd.

The fact that the blm protesters use a rap song with the phrase "f#ck cop's" as their rally song doesn't endear them to me.

Candace Owens . Please save us.
Right-wing commentator Candace Owens says ‘she does not support criminal George Floyd’ and that ‘we are being sold lies’ – The Sun

///

No, if everybody did not have a video camera in their pocket, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Do you think?

They are at the minimum thugs and probably terrorists.

Black Olives Matter! https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-is...atter-t-shirts

When I went there they were sold out of T-shirts but I got a baseball cap.

Nailed it. :thumbup:

In the past, it's always been the police's word against the victim's and of course without a video...the police are going to be believed 99.9% of the time.

Sadly though, as in the Buffalo incident where everyone saw a 75 year old shoved down and was bleeding from his head and ears with no one helping him., there's still those who believe the cops & their union's who say... "the old guy just slipped." :ohdear: