Ferguson

It's the perfect title. It's really the only thing anyone wants to talk about (or they are going out of there way to not talk about it). I've read a lot of stuff and made some comments on some things, but I kind of want to put my collected thoughts here. If you want to talk about it, let's talk about it. But let's keep it civil.

First and foremost it's important to realize that a man has lost his life. Another man took his life. No one who knows either of these men, their friends, or their families will ever be the same again. I think blame can spread around and I think there are some things we should be doing to fix this.

We have a lot of people that want to say "if you don't want to get shot, don't shoplift." You people are an embarrassment. Shoplifting is not a capital offense and shouldn't be.

We have people saying that the police have a right to defend themselves, and yes they certainly do. But if we're putting police in an authoritarian position, shouldn't we also expect them to at least show the same level of restraint that we ask of soldiers in a combat zone? No matter what you think of Ferguson, MO I'm pretty sure it doesn't hold a candle to Sirte, Lybia. If we can ask men and women in a combat zone to hold their fire until they are actually shot at, we can probably ask our police force to exercise a little more discretion.

We have a systematic problem with police going too far and not being held accountable. The same prosecutors who rely on police are the ones who have to make a decision about who to prosecute. These are the same attorneys who present the evidence to the grand jury. They structure the case and presentation of evidence. After that they will still have to rely on the police department for their next case. Isn't it unreasonable to think they are going to be biased in their presentation of evidence to the grand jury.

I do believe that police officers have one of the toughest jobs out there. I understand they put their lives on the line every day. I think they have a right to defend themselves. But I think it's important to train them to be safe and effective. That a man had to die means there is something wrong with the system. We shouldn't have a shoot first, and sort it out later mentality in our police force.

We have a problem with angry people lacking leadership. Do the people of Ferguson have a right to be upset? Sure. I'm not there, I don't know the issues they have. What I do know is burning down an auto parts store and a public storage place doesn't help. Looting stores doesn't help either. Why these people didn't take their protest to courthouse, or the police station and demonstrate outside there? At least it would not be costing a neighbor their job.

Obviously I don't have all the answers, but I think if we keep asking the questions, are respectful with each other and look for an actual solution, we should be able to at least make it a little better.