[MENTION=49]fortsbest[/MENTION] a few co-workers and I pretty much pointed out the same stuff that you mentioned. We were talking about the case where the cops shot the 12 year old kid who had the BB gun in particular.
There's video out there showing the kid flashing this BB gun which absolutely looks real, especially if you don't examine it closely. Plus when you factor in all the shootings kids his age are involved in on seemingly a daily basis, how can you not assume that the gun is real.
I also agree with your point about people who aren't on the frontlines foolishly assuming that deescalating a situation is easy and routine. It's easy to think that stuff when you're sitting comfortably on your sofa and not on the frontline having to make split second life or death situations.
I say this with experience as I've been in that situation a few times during my deployments to the middle east.
I remember after one of the Koran burning incidents in Afghanistan a few years ago, Afghans were highly pissed off and wanted American blood spilled for the incident. The General in charge of US Forces, who was safely tucked away in his fortified base camp with dozens of security personnel and equipment surrounding him, spews some nonsense about how we should continue to work, business as usual and engage the Afghans in dialog. Dialog? Pfft. Afghans weren't interested in dialog. They wanted blood. They were throwing huge rocks at Soldiers guarding the gates, hurling fire bombs, etc. But the guy who's safely tucked away not on the front line thinks a passive approach is best. Go figure. I bring this up as a prime example of how a number of people who aren't personally in the line of fire, seem to always have "great ideas" of how a situation should have played out peacefully.
And yet, the great leaders of the black movements are crying foul and talking about vengeance and tearing this country down because of Michael Brown. Holy crap dude, way for people to select martyrs and a great group of folk for a people or race to listen to as leaders.
This is a point that I made as well and it's one of my biggest issues with the thuggish violence that's going on. I have no problem with the peaceful protestors but no way in hell am I getting worked up to the point to where I want to riot and tear things up over Michael Brown. Especially when it's been established that he's a bit of a thug and probably escalated the situation by going after the officer's gun. Also, I guarantee that prior to the shooting 99% of the protestors couldn't pick Michael Brown out of 2-man police lineup.....but his death has somehow stirred up enough emotion in them to where they feel the need to burn down their own city? Okay, to each their own.
Again, I have no problem with those that disagree with the decision not to indict but how about we ratchet down the "burn the city down" rage. Save that rage for an African American who's actually worth martyring.
