It appears that that article was written *before* the evidence was revealed. I'm sure there are MANY involved in this who are being politically pressured to not only indict Wilson, but to do whatever they need to do to find him guilty of breaking some law with which to hang him. Meanwhile, here's another perspective from a black man who is well aware of the race issues, and who is an American who happened to be in Africa at the time he learned of the Ferguson incident: http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/thoughts-on-ferguson

That statement is out of context, and I think you know what I meant. The rioters and looters in this case are black. Or at least I haven't seen any pictures or videos of any white people being part of that. I said I wasn't going to respond any further, but when I'm intentionally misquoted to make me sound like a racist, umm, yeah, I'm going to respond to that. That's what the MEDIA does for a living. It's sad when women (or mostly women) on a forum where everyone is presumed to be reasonably educated, and should know better, does the same thing.

:sad: Praying for safety. For everyone in Ferguson, not just your family. One would think that the black community, in Ferguson and elsewhere, would want to prove that they are NOT violent and deserving of abuse. Instead, the rioters are just showing out of control they are. Anger doesn't justify anything. If a man (any man) treats his wife the way the rioters are treating those in the town of Ferguson, everyone would be demanding his head. :( And that's going to be my last post on this topic. I'm not going to respond to any other comments or accusations.

That is reverse racism at its finest.... assuming what I know and don't know just because I'm not black. I've studied history, and I have many black friends. And if that's true, that the black population generally knows NOT to engage with a police officer, then why do so many do it? What do you think it is when hundreds or even thousands of black people incite violence with their rioting, beatings, looting, and burning buildings? And why did Michael Brown approach Wilson's police car and begin attacking him? I hardly call them "not engaging in any way". My black friends are appalled and humiliated by all this. The Michael Brown supporters/rioters/inciters of violence do NOT represent them. :( In OUR city, the black population is calling for PEACEFUL protests. That is NOT what's happening in Ferguson.

This is your evidence that Wilson didn't know Brown was the robber? First of all, CNN is one of the liberal media darlings that propogated this whole mess in the first place. Secondly, the date of that article is August 15th -- LONG before all the evidence was in. On August 15th, there was a LOT of hearsay floating around. And people who continue to spread the lies and hearsay from liberal news articles dated three months ago are part of the problem, contributing to the ongoing anger, hated, violence, and (often) false accusations of racism.

Yes, he did. That's why he was in the neighborhood. He was tending to another incident when the call first came through, and he actually stayed there until that situation was resolved before he came over to the store area where Brown was. He saw Brown, then realized he fit the description of the thief and turned around. Wilson hadn't even gotten out of his car when Brown came up to him and started harassing (and evidently, hitting) HIM while STILL IN HIS CAR.

Ahhhh...... But HAD there been a trial, Wilson would not (should not) have been on trial for racism. He would've been charged with murder or involuntary manslaughter. Besides, I still don't see how it's racism to confront (verbally, not physically) a man who fits the description of the thief that was just broadcast over police radio. Dh and I discussed the # of times Wilson fired. It sounded to us like initially, Brown approached Wilson's car with Wilson still inside, physically confronted him (beating him in the face), and Wilson tried to warn him to back off by shooting twice inside the car at first. Then he shot outside the window, grazing his hand, because Wilson wouldn't back off. And so forth. So it sounded to us like he was probably firing multiple warning shots before one of the bullets killed him. (And we don't yet know ALL the details of what happened between Point A and Point B.... but the evidence does at least seem clear that Brown physically attacked Wilson while Wilson was still inside the car. If it was me, and I had a gun or any other kind of weapon on me, you bet I'd be firing at him, too! And THAT has got NOTHING to do with color!) How about a world where young black men don't antagonize a police officer just because he's white, almost DARING him to shoot? You don't think that happens, too? Especially if said young man has drugs in his system and just committed a crime?

Actually, I do know a bit about the court system, attorneys (both prosecuting and defending), the "system", state police, and forensics.... having worked for both trial lawyers, and the forensics division of a state police agency many years ago. I had a part in working with a Japanese company in the development and initial implementation of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System way back in the 80's, too. What *I* have been looking for throughout this whole mess is the scientific evidence. The media (and some in our government) played heavily on people's emotions from Day 1 of this ordeal..... and it worked. Because now, there are many who refuse to believe that no crime was committed because they believe their emotions over the evidence. To me, that is the saddest part of this whole thing. Yes, it was wrong decades ago to prosecute and hang black men for crimes they didn't commit just because they were black. But what does it solve by doing the same to a white man today? The act of getting revenge doesn't bring peace. :( I could almost guarantee that if Brown had been white and Wilson had been black, it would've never gotten this far. {sigh}

But the question I keep asking is this: Even if racism is at play somewhere in the midst of all that, it sounds like many want Wilson to hang in order to set an example. THAT is what I have a problem with. That's just racism in reverse. Exactly how does that help anybody.... other than making some feel good because they think they got revenge? Do you really think that would solve any problems of racism anywhere? :(

Wasn't it an old picture?

But I'm saying that ultimately, it doesn't really matter whether he personally was involved or not, because the science shows absolutely no evidence that there was anyone TO prosecute. Three independent autopsies, federal investigators were involved, etc. So regardless of this particular man's personal background, the evidence appears to have spoken.

Why? As far as I can tell, he didn't prosecute anybody. It went before a Grand Jury and it was decided there's nothing to prosecute.

Umm, no. There is absolutely NO evidence of racism just because a police officer -- ANY police officer, regardless of color -- confronted a citizen who was apparently acting belligerently. You do know that drugs were found in his body, right? And that he then physically attacked the officer while still INSIDE his police car? You don't think a white police officer has ever confronted a white belligerent citizen? How about a white police officer confronting a little 12yo white girl who was just taking the trash out in back of a movie theater late one night while her parents were inside cleaning? And said police officer pointed a gun at that little girl and yelled, "Stop or I'll shoot!" You don't think that ever happens? Clearly, that police officer was prejudiced against little girls. That officer should've been hung! (That little girl was me. And yeah, my dad FELT like personally hanging that officer!)

I'm assuming the prosecuting attorney was telling the truth as he listed out the evidences and witness testimonies that were presented to the Grand Jury. Apparently you, or at least several here, are assuming he was NOT telling the truth. Just made it all up, eh? I'm thankful for forensic science.

I would hope that the media would learn from this. :glare:

It's my response to ALL of the continued accusations of racism as the cause of this whole mess..... despite the evidence.

Wow, there are a LOT of assumptions being made in that paragraph. :huh: You don't suppose it's possible that 1/3 of those black men deserved time in jail? Do you also have a statistic on how many white men have done time in jail? Do you know how many black men don't have fathers that stick around to raise them... or fathers who train them up to be responsible men? (This is a problem among white men, too, btw, but it seems to be more prevalent among black.) If 1/3 of black men have done in time in jail, how is that the fault of a police officer in Po-Dunk U.S.A.? Do you just want a white police officer to be made an example for the problems among black men that you cited? What I think would've happened if Brown had been white and Wilson had been black was that the media and various activists would've never jumped on it in the first place. Did you not hear the prosecuting attorney basically blame social media for the situation getting so out of control? Did you even listen to news conference? I'm sincerely asking because some of your statements seem to indicate that you did not. :confused1: Have you not heard about the four black men who brutally murdered a white police officer in... some eastern state, I forget now which one. This just happened a week or two ago. But no, the media hasn't turned THAT one into a firestorm. :glare: And you want me to believe that the Grand Jury was NOT fair and without bias, yes? :(

Soooo..... Listening to, and repeating the announcement of the physical evidence is being racist? Did you not listen to the prosecuting attorney's statement?

The scientific evidence would clearly corroborate some of those testimonies, and refute others. Especially when many of those testimonies accusing the officer (defending Brown) conflicted their own testimonies. They couldn't keep their stories straight. I'm glad for forensic science.

Are you implying that the Grand Jury was prejudiced just because the majority of them were white? What makes you think the members of the Grand Jury weren't examined for prejudices? They were chosen long before this event even occurred. They would've still been interviewed/examined, regardless. Because if you're implying racism among the Grand Jury and not even willing to assume that they wrestled with this decision night and day, lost sleep over it, agonized over having to say that there was no crime BASED ON THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE.... Well, that sort of accusation (racism) is the very thing that made this event such a media circus in the first place. Did y'all not hear the LONG list of evidences (scientific) and so-called "witness" reports (many of which even contradicted themselves) that were presented to the Grand Jury?

This reminds me of another one we used to watch years ago, but I'd forgotten all about it.... Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. It stars John Boy Walton. Errr, Richard Thomas. ;)

YES, to Little Women! :thumbup: That's our favorite version, too, with Winona Ryder.

LOL, funny how much you can learn about a person by browsing their bookshelves when you visit.... or peeking at their Christmas movie list. :lol: Dh and I used to LOVE Christmas Vacation, but after having not seen it for a few years, we started watching it again with the girls last year and turned it off. (Actually, I don't remember if we turned it off, or just fast forwarded through a whole lot of scenes.) There was a LOT more crudeness in it than I had remembered. :huh: Did I mention Funny Farm, or did anyone else? For those who like Chevy Chase, FF is a good alternative to Christmas Vacation if you want to keep things a little more on the cleaner side. ;)

Christmas with the Chipmunks Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Definitely family friendly. ;)