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The St. Louis Rams’ ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Protest [W:256]

tres borrachos

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The St. Louis Rams’ ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Protest - The Daily Fix - WSJ

<snip>

Professional sports are rarely a province for civil unrest. Take it from a young Michael Jordan, upon being asked to donate to a political campaign, apocryphally responding with “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” But there’s certainly opportunity to players to speak out, and on Sunday, several players for the St. Louis Rams made their voices heard.

As they came out of the tunnel during introductions before their game against the Oakland Raiders, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, and Kenny Britt raised their hands in reference to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protest—a sign that became ubiquitous during the recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., over the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. Following the subsequent investigation, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. Protesters across the country have voiced their displeasure with the decision—a number of them were stationed outside the Edward James Dome, where the Rams play. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, even as the players, all of whom are black, tried to be diplomatic. Britt was quoted as saying, “Taking sides? We wanted to show that we were there for a cause that something positive comes out of it.”

As far as dialogue between opposing sides, much of which has exposed fractious fault lines within attitudes toward race and state, this passes for downright tranquil. And yet, the players were immediately criticized by the St. Louis Police Officers Association, which released a fiery statement criticizing the players and demanding an appropriate response—reprimand from the team, or the league


I don't blame the St. Louis PD. WTF? It was proven that Brown was not shot with his hands up in surrender contrary to what his little sidekick in the convenience store robbery claimed - and which people have clung on to as if it were true.

I'll bet these guys would call the St. Louis PD in a second if there big fancy houses were being robbed.

The PD's statement is here, and it is indeed "fiery"

SLPOA condemns Rams display

Protest is great. Support your cause. I'd love to see the Rams support some causes that are important to me and lots of others too, like animal abuse and elder abuse. But if they did do it where the protest could be seen, I would hope they would be honest about what happened and not feed into the rhetoric and propaganda as they did on Sunday.
 
Wonder what those players position is on domestic violence and child abuse. I don't recall them making any jester about those incidents that involve NFL players.
 
The St. Louis Rams’ ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Protest - The Daily Fix - WSJ

<snip>

Professional sports are rarely a province for civil unrest. Take it from a young Michael Jordan, upon being asked to donate to a political campaign, apocryphally responding with “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” But there’s certainly opportunity to players to speak out, and on Sunday, several players for the St. Louis Rams made their voices heard.

As they came out of the tunnel during introductions before their game against the Oakland Raiders, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, and Kenny Britt raised their hands in reference to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protest—a sign that became ubiquitous during the recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., over the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. Following the subsequent investigation, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. Protesters across the country have voiced their displeasure with the decision—a number of them were stationed outside the Edward James Dome, where the Rams play. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, even as the players, all of whom are black, tried to be diplomatic. Britt was quoted as saying, “Taking sides? We wanted to show that we were there for a cause that something positive comes out of it.”

As far as dialogue between opposing sides, much of which has exposed fractious fault lines within attitudes toward race and state, this passes for downright tranquil. And yet, the players were immediately criticized by the St. Louis Police Officers Association, which released a fiery statement criticizing the players and demanding an appropriate response—reprimand from the team, or the league


I don't blame the St. Louis PD. WTF? It was proven that Brown was not shot with his hands up in surrender contrary to what his little sidekick in the convenience store robbery claimed - and which people have clung on to as if it were true.

I'll bet these guys would call the St. Louis PD in a second if there big fancy houses were being robbed.

The PD's statement is here, and it is indeed "fiery"

SLPOA condemns Rams display

Protest is great. Support your cause. I'd love to see the Rams support some causes that are important to me and lots of others too, like animal abuse and elder abuse. But if they did do it where the protest could be seen, I would hope they would be honest about what happened and not feed into the rhetoric and propaganda as they did on Sunday.

They supported what they thought was right. Nobody got hurt (except for the Raiders, wow...). The Miami Heat came out for warmups wearing hoodies during the Trayvon Martin kerfuffle. After Sterling's comments, the Clippers made a show of warming up without anything that said "Clippers" on it. You could even say it's something of a political statement that Daniel Snyder's NFL team continues to wear gear that says "Redskins."

The important thing is that nobody got hurt. You may not agree, but they said their piece and nobody got hurt as a result. You don't have a right to have your political views catered to.
 
They supported what they thought was right. Nobody got hurt (except for the Raiders, wow...). The Miami Heat came out for warmups wearing hoodies during the Trayvon Martin kerfuffle. After Sterling's comments, the Clippers made a show of warming up without anything that said "Clippers" on it. You could even say it's something of a political statement that Daniel Snyder's NFL team continues to wear gear that says "Redskins."

The important thing is that nobody got hurt. You may not agree, but they said their piece and nobody got hurt as a result. You don't have a right to have your political views catered to.

The Michael Brown shooting and the response to it was political?
 
They supported what they thought was right. Nobody got hurt (except for the Raiders, wow...). The Miami Heat came out for warmups wearing hoodies during the Trayvon Martin kerfuffle. After Sterling's comments, the Clippers made a show of warming up without anything that said "Clippers" on it. You could even say it's something of a political statement that Daniel Snyder's NFL team continues to wear gear that says "Redskins."

The important thing is that nobody got hurt. You may not agree, but they said their piece and nobody got hurt as a result. You don't have a right to have your political views catered to.

In you opinion would it be proper for you or your coworkers to do something similar at your work on company time?

If the same NFL players joined in on a protest on their own time, that is their business. Knowing they are on TV , its a bit political on their part
 
Wonder what those players position is on domestic violence and child abuse. I don't recall them making any jester about those incidents that involve NFL players.

Many NFL players have been tweeting their support of Ray Rice since the other day. Maybe they think it's okay to smack your fiancée silly.
 
As a general gesture, and not specific to Brown, it's a fair statement. I'm not sure it's the place for it, unless there was team approval.
 
As a general gesture, and not specific to Brown, it's a fair statement. I'm not sure it's the place for it, unless there was team approval.


Incorrect, initial witness stated mikey had his hands up and said "don't shoot", that's where it came from. That's what all these protesters are rallying behind in the lack of indictment protests and riots.
 
Incorrect, initial witness stated mikey had his hands up and said "don't shoot", that's where it came from. That's what all these protesters are rallying behind in the lack of indictment protests and riots.

As a statement regarding the treatment of blacks in the justice system, from police to attorneys to juries to judges, it's true and noteworthy. Sure, all evidence points to it being BS in the case of Brown, but that does not invalidate the general political statement.
 
As a statement regarding the treatment of blacks in the justice system, from police to attorneys to juries to judges, it's true and noteworthy. Sure, all evidence points to it being BS in the case of Brown, but that does not invalidate the general political statement.



Sure it does when you hitch your complaints and claims of systemic abuse to a dead thug who attacked a cop and the lying witnesses they CHOSE to believe over the evidence. It makes such claims seem, less real.
 
Sure it does when you hitch your complaints and claims of systemic abuse to a dead thug who attacked a cop and the lying witnesses they CHOSE to believe over the evidence. It makes such claims seem, less real.

Do you deny racism exists in the justice system?
 
The St. Louis Rams’ ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Protest - The Daily Fix - WSJ

<snip>

Professional sports are rarely a province for civil unrest. Take it from a young Michael Jordan, upon being asked to donate to a political campaign, apocryphally responding with “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” But there’s certainly opportunity to players to speak out, and on Sunday, several players for the St. Louis Rams made their voices heard.

As they came out of the tunnel during introductions before their game against the Oakland Raiders, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, and Kenny Britt raised their hands in reference to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protest—a sign that became ubiquitous during the recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., over the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. Following the subsequent investigation, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. Protesters across the country have voiced their displeasure with the decision—a number of them were stationed outside the Edward James Dome, where the Rams play. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, even as the players, all of whom are black, tried to be diplomatic. Britt was quoted as saying, “Taking sides? We wanted to show that we were there for a cause that something positive comes out of it.”

As far as dialogue between opposing sides, much of which has exposed fractious fault lines within attitudes toward race and state, this passes for downright tranquil. And yet, the players were immediately criticized by the St. Louis Police Officers Association, which released a fiery statement criticizing the players and demanding an appropriate response—reprimand from the team, or the league


I don't blame the St. Louis PD. WTF? It was proven that Brown was not shot with his hands up in surrender contrary to what his little sidekick in the convenience store robbery claimed - and which people have clung on to as if it were true.

I'll bet these guys would call the St. Louis PD in a second if there big fancy houses were being robbed.

The PD's statement is here, and it is indeed "fiery"

SLPOA condemns Rams display

Protest is great. Support your cause. I'd love to see the Rams support some causes that are important to me and lots of others too, like animal abuse and elder abuse. But if they did do it where the protest could be seen, I would hope they would be honest about what happened and not feed into the rhetoric and propaganda as they did on Sunday.

I agree TB. Perhaps there are times when influential people need to be seen in the light of their true ignorance.
 
The St. Louis Rams’ ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ Protest - The Daily Fix - WSJ

<snip>

Professional sports are rarely a province for civil unrest. Take it from a young Michael Jordan, upon being asked to donate to a political campaign, apocryphally responding with “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” But there’s certainly opportunity to players to speak out, and on Sunday, several players for the St. Louis Rams made their voices heard.

As they came out of the tunnel during introductions before their game against the Oakland Raiders, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, and Kenny Britt raised their hands in reference to the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” protest—a sign that became ubiquitous during the recent protests in Ferguson, Mo., over the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. Following the subsequent investigation, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. Protesters across the country have voiced their displeasure with the decision—a number of them were stationed outside the Edward James Dome, where the Rams play. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, even as the players, all of whom are black, tried to be diplomatic. Britt was quoted as saying, “Taking sides? We wanted to show that we were there for a cause that something positive comes out of it.”

As far as dialogue between opposing sides, much of which has exposed fractious fault lines within attitudes toward race and state, this passes for downright tranquil. And yet, the players were immediately criticized by the St. Louis Police Officers Association, which released a fiery statement criticizing the players and demanding an appropriate response—reprimand from the team, or the league


I don't blame the St. Louis PD. WTF? It was proven that Brown was not shot with his hands up in surrender contrary to what his little sidekick in the convenience store robbery claimed - and which people have clung on to as if it were true.

I'll bet these guys would call the St. Louis PD in a second if there big fancy houses were being robbed.

The PD's statement is here, and it is indeed "fiery"

SLPOA condemns Rams display

Protest is great. Support your cause. I'd love to see the Rams support some causes that are important to me and lots of others too, like animal abuse and elder abuse. But if they did do it where the protest could be seen, I would hope they would be honest about what happened and not feed into the rhetoric and propaganda as they did on Sunday.

Brown's friend that lied and started this whole crap about "hands up, don't shoot" should be arrested for perjury, and MB's stepdad should be arrested for inciting a riot.
 
Do you deny racism exists in the justice system?


Racism exists everywhere and it's not restricted to white on black.



Do you think that since blacks are seven times more likely than people of other races to commit murder, and eight times more likely to commit robbery, nearly three times more likely than non-Blacks to use a gun, and more than twice as likely to use a knife, that perhaps this problem isn't as simple as blaming "Racism" in the justice system?

Do you think any of the culpability falls anywhere outside of the justice system here? Any at all?

Race and crime - Metapedia
 
In you opinion would it be proper for you or your coworkers to do something similar at your work on company time?

If the same NFL players joined in on a protest on their own time, that is their business. Knowing they are on TV , its a bit political on their part

So what would be appropriate protest for these players? Showing up at 5 AM in a roped off one block area in a desolate area where they are not seen or will not ruffle anyones feathers or sensibilities?
 
In you opinion would it be proper for you or your coworkers to do something similar at your work on company time?

Depends on what the statement is and how it's made. Johnny Cash wore black as a political statement ("I wear it for the poor and beaten down..."). He had a TV show in which he wore black, and continued to make most if not all public appearances in black for the last 30 years of his life. If I chose to wear all black to work (which I have done), and it was within the dress code...why would that be a problem?
 
So what would be appropriate protest for these players? Showing up at 5 AM in a roped off one block area in a desolate area where they are not seen or will not ruffle anyones feathers or sensibilities?

whatever they want on their own time.

Noted. you did not address the question I asked.
 
Many NFL players have been tweeting their support of Ray Rice since the other day. Maybe they think it's okay to smack your fiancée silly.

Which is their statement, and they have the right to make it.

Every year on Jackie Robinson Day, every player in Major League Baseball wears the number 42. That's a statement. It may be different because it's sanctioned by MLB, but it is a statement.
 
Racism exists everywhere and it's not restricted to white on black.

You're confusing racial bigotry and racism. You do believe there is more to racism than racial bigotry, right? Do you believe blacks oppress whites collectively?

Do you think any of the culpability falls anywhere outside of the justice system here? Any at all?

Projecting absolutes is stupid. Racism existing in the justice system does not make it the sole factor in crime rates. Another factor, for example, is poverty.
 
So what would be appropriate protest for these players? Showing up at 5 AM in a roped off one block area in a desolate area where they are not seen or will not ruffle anyones feathers or sensibilities?

They were on the NFL's time and representing the NFL. They aren't being paid to protest.

They can protest all they want. They need to do it on their own time.
 
And the political response says what?

Vote for the Democrats? Vote for the Republicans? Vote for Ted Cruz?

It's a statement about the power of police and the heavy hand of government. It can be political without it being about Democrats and Republicans.
 
Do you deny racism exists in the justice system?

Of course it does. Simply compare the demographics of black males in society with the incarceration rate. There are only two possible explanations:

1- far too many black males are inherently deviates coming from an inferior race and culture which disproportionately manifests itself in low intelligence and violent criminal behavior placing them closer to predatory animals than humans, or
2- centuries of slavery and Jim Crow have wreaked untold damage upon African Americans as a collective group in the USA causing all manner of sociological malfunctions impacting them at a greater rate than other groups in our nation and despite some efforts, we still have a very long way to go to actual equality in all phases of our society.

I pick the second.
 
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