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Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians"

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Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Sen. Rand Paul told Politico*that he didn't have specific thoughts on the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown, but renewed his calls to demilitarize the police and reform the criminal justice system: The Kentucky Republican did say the situation reflects an “undercurrent of unease out there related to poverty, related to drugs.” He added, “I think part of the answer is trying to reform our criminal justice system.” Paul specifically mentioned the issue of so-called "petty" fines for traffic violations. Petty fines are a $2 million revenue source for the city of Ferguson. But, as Paul notes, paying them is hardly inconsequential for the city's poor residents. Reason's Brian Doherty and the Cato Institute's Walter Olson have*examined how petty fines feed into the resentment of law enforcement felt by Ferguson's poor and minority citizens: If indeed more people's usual interactions with police had anything to do with "protecting and serving" and less with violently messing up your life for reasons that can seem petty and pointless, from people whose version of respect is "do everything I say the way I'm comfortable with or you might die,"*the atmosphere surrounding what happened in Ferguson would likely be less toxic. On the police militarization front, Paul plans to introduce legislation tackling that issue next year. He told Time that he will spend the coming weeks going over the details with other lawmakers: Some libertarian-minded Republicans have also joined the call to demilitarize the police, including Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who wrote in a*TIME*op-ed less than a week after the Brown shooting that “there should be a difference between a police response and a military response.” On Tuesday, Paul’s office confirmed that he will introduce his own bill addressing police militarization next year. He’s working with retiring Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn on the legislation and will talk to other senators “over the coming months” to garner support, according to an aide.

Update: Paul has just published his own op-ed in Time*titled, "The Politicians Are to Blame in Ferguson". He writes: In the search for culpability for the tragedy in Ferguson, I mostly blame politicians. Michael Brown’s death and the suffocation of Eric Garner in New York for selling untaxed cigarettes indicate something is wrong with criminal justice in America. The War on Drugs has created a culture of violence and put police in a nearly impossible situation. In Ferguson, the precipitating crime was not drugs, but theft. But the War on Drugs has created a tension in some communities that too often results in tragedy. One need only witness the baby in Georgia, who had a concussive grenade explode in her face during a late-night, no-knock drug raid (in which no drugs were found) to understand the feelings of many minorities — the feeling that they are being unfairly targeted. Three out of four people in jail for drugs are people of color. In the African American community, folks rightly ask "why are our sons disproportionately incarcerated, killed, and maimed?"

Rand Paul Reacts to Ferguson: Reform Criminal Justice System, Petty Fines - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Can't say I'm a huge fan of Rand Paul, but he's right on the money here.
 
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Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."


I am not a huge Rand Paul fan either, but he certainly got out front on this. I'm impressed with his comments and with his timing. Everyone else in Washington, including the President, seems to be searching for the right thing to say while one thumb is up their collective butts and the other collective hand is in the air to see which way the wind blows.

Paul is more right Ferguson and demilitarization of police than any politician I have heard so far. I hope he does sponsor a bill as he suggests he will. I would also hope that it would pass the Senate and the House. Sadly, such a bill will never be voted on unless it became so watered down that no one would recognize it.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

I am not a huge Rand Paul fan either, but he certainly got out front on this. I'm impressed with his comments and with his timing. Everyone else in Washington, including the President, seems to be searching for the right thing to say while one thumb is up their collective butts and the other collective hand is in the air to see which way the wind blows.

Paul is more right Ferguson and demilitarization of police than any politician I have heard so far. I hope he does sponsor a bill as he suggests he will. I would also hope that it would pass the Senate and the House. Sadly, such a bill will never be voted on unless it became so watered down that no one would recognize it.

Exactly. Despite all his short-comings I do have to admit he's pretty damn good when it comes to civil rights issues for the most part. If only more in Congress would follow his lead.
 
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Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Exactly. Despite all his short-comings I do have to admit he's pretty damn good when it comes to civil rights issues for the most part. If only more in Congress would follow his lead.

Indeed and whether you or I or other Americans agree with him, the established members of the ruling two party system will never agree with him or anyone else for that matter who isn't part of that system. Forward thinking threatens the hell out of the old guard.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Another politician blaming other politicians. Go figure...
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Really? He's bringing the war on drugs into this?? Pushing his daddy's agenda a little too much here. The best thing, Rand could have done, if he truly blames the politicians is to not write the piece. Yet he did anyway. The man is full of hypocrisy!
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Really? He's bringing the war on drugs into this?? Pushing his daddy's agenda a little too much here. The best thing, Rand could have done, if he truly blames the politicians is to not write the piece. Yet he did anyway. The man is full of hypocrisy!

He also said he would heal the planet, and make the waters recede.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Exactly. Despite all his short-comings I do have to admit he's pretty damn good when it comes to civil rights issues for the most part. If only more in Congress would follow his lead.

It is a nice pipedream to contemplate, but they're bought and paid for by lobbyists with deep pockets.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

One issue that I find with this is the War on Terror. What do you think Marines and soldiers do when they get back from deploying over and over and find themselves out of the military? They apply to be a law enforcement officer. And they are shoe ins for the jobs. They are combat vets, usually cool under pressure, and are comfortable with being in uniform and having structure. Kicking in doors at 2am is something I did on the regular in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that we have men moving up into positions that allow them to plan these operations, they do what they know how to do. They kick in doors at 2am. Right or wrong, I believe that contributes to this.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Anyone that dismisses Paul's chances in the presidential race is a fool. He is making a concerted effort to appeal to youth and minority voters and I believe he will succeed.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."


I am a fan of Rand Paul, I generally agree with him, and mostly agree with him here...

I do agree that the War on Drugs is an abject failure and at odds with individual liberty, but I do not think it has much to do with this case. I suppose it can broadly tie-in only through talking about the distrust and anger that would result in all of the madness surrounding the case, where people are willing to reject evidence and embrace the most ridiculous conspiracy theories.

I do agree that fines for petty, victimless crimes are rampant and that local police departments around the country probably need more by way of tax dollars and less of these fines. Speed traps - changing the speed limit abruptly at the bottom of a hill, for example - come to mind immediately. I do not think that has much to do with this case.

I do not agree with the general militarization of the police... however... it was clear on Monday night that there was not a strong enough police force to protect the rights of the residents, and more force was warranted to curtail arson, destruction, and looting. Of course, they had declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard, so perhaps that failure is arguably a military one and it lies with the governor.

I very much believe in the right to free speech and the right to freedom of assembly; "burn this bitch down" is not a matter of free speech, it is inciting a riot. Attacking the Ferguson Market & Liquor, again, and burning down AutoZone is not a form of protest worthy of any respect nor legal protection.
 
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Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Can't say I'm a huge fan of Rand Paul, but he's right on the money here.

And who elects those politicians? The people.

Now here is the real rub, those laws on the books need to also be enforced do they not? If they don't need to be enforced, they shouldn't be on the books.

It's easy to blame the politicians, however, you cannot escape the fact that the people have put those politicians in the position where they have made these laws.

You cannot blame the cops for enforcing laws that are on the books.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Someone is making an early bid for the White House...
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

I am a fan of Rand Paul, I generally agree with him, and mostly agree with him here...

I am not a fan of Rand Paul. Not being a partisan hack, I am not a slave to party approved people and positions. I have the freedom to agree with statements made by any politician. I generally agree with everything Paul said in the OP.

I do agree that the War on Drugs is an abject failure and at odds with individual liberty, but I do not think it has much to do with this case. I suppose it can broadly tie-in only through talking about the distrust and anger that would result in all of the madness surrounding the case, where people are willing to reject evidence and embrace the most ridiculous conspiracy theories.

If Ferguson is like most of America a high percentage of black males have been arrested for pot. More have been arrested for drugs. In Ferguson most all those black males have been arrested by white cops. If Ferguson is like the rest of the country, the criminal justice system works differently for black males than it does while males. Black males are likely sentenced to jail more than white males and for longer sentences when comparable crimes are committed.

I do agree that fines for petty, victimless crimes are rampant and that local police departments around the country probably need more by way of tax dollars and less of these fines. Speed traps - changing the speed limit abruptly at the bottom of a hill, for example - come to mind immediately. I do not think that has much to do with this case.

Yes, and when 2 million bucks are collected from black residents by white cops and given to a white city government it is understandable that it likely causes resentment. Add to that historically across the nation minorities are stopped much more frequently than whites. In part, because of that, there are more vehicle searches and arrests for things like possession of pot. It is plausible then that there is a relationship between the two.

I do not agree with the general militarization of the police... however... it was clear on Monday night that there was not a strong enough police force to protect the rights of the residents, and more force was warranted to curtail arson, destruction, and looting. Of course, they had declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard, so perhaps that failure is arguably a military one and it lies with the governor.

I have long held that there has been a militarization of police in America. We will have to agree to disagree.

There should have been greater control on Monday night. Agreed. I question even the announcement being made a 8 PM. Under the cover of darkness much violence can occur - and did. I think it was bonehead decision to make the announcement at night.

Obviously there wasn't enough law enforcement/national guard presence. Bear in mind that the national guard is not a police force and though sure some have had a couple of drills worth of riot training, except for military police units, few have police training. The national guard is a tool. They function as ordered. If they were deployed late, in numbers too small, deployed improperly fault rests higher up the chain of command.

The after action reports which we will not see will determine how effective the national guard was or not and why or why not. As part of that report there will be a determination of how much worse the situation might have been without them. It could have been much worse had the guard not been there, we don't know.

I very much believe in the right to free speech and the right to freedom of assembly; "burn this bitch down" is not a matter of free speech, it is inciting a riot. Attacking the Ferguson Market & Liquor, again, and burning down AutoZone is not a form of protest worthy of any respect nor legal protection.

That comment is not germane to the OP.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Anyone that dismisses Paul's chances in the presidential race is a fool. He is making a concerted effort to appeal to youth and minority voters and I believe he will succeed.

I agree. I'm not a fan of the way he is framing this incident as some sort of tipping point in a false race war though. I will still vote for the guy unless another candidate sweeps me off my feet though.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

This is a nice catch phrase,

"...reform our criminal justice system.”

But no one has yet to put forth any ideas.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Rand Paul doesn't have any thoughts on the grand jury's decision, according to the OP.
Way to be a politician Rand .
 
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Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Ted Cruz will begin throwing bricks through Rand Paul's glass house sometime next year .

I agree. I'm not a fan of the way he is framing this incident as some sort of tipping point in a false race war though. I will still vote for the guy unless another candidate sweeps me off my feet though.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Rand Paul wants to demilitarize the police--again at odds with most of his own GOP.
As he walks the high wire between primaries and the general election .
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Let's all wait and see what chameleon Rand Paul proposes to reform our criminal justice system next term.
And whether it comes up in the House.
We know his buddy McConnell will at least allow him a platform in the Senate .
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Ted Cruz will begin throwing bricks through Rand Paul's glass house sometime next year .

Ted Cruz is an idiot IMO.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

I am a fan of Rand Paul, I generally agree with him, and mostly agree with him here...

I do agree that the War on Drugs is an abject failure and at odds with individual liberty, but I do not think it has much to do with this case. I suppose it can broadly tie-in only through talking about the distrust and anger that would result in all of the madness surrounding the case, where people are willing to reject evidence and embrace the most ridiculous conspiracy theories.

Which political party began the war on drugs you describe as an abject failure?
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

Not according to a large segment of the GOP known as the TEA-party.
When's the last time you heard a GOP in DC speak of him as you did?
Why did the House allow Ted Cruz to shut down the government in October/2013?

Too bad DEMs are so stupid at the messaging war that they didn't hammer the GOP for the next 13 months on it.
As the GOP did on the ACA rollout beginning in November/2013 .

Ted Cruz is an idiot IMO.
 
Re: Rand Paul on Ferguson: "I blame politicians, criminal justice system."

One issue that I find with this is the War on Terror. What do you think Marines and soldiers do when they get back from deploying over and over and find themselves out of the military? They apply to be a law enforcement officer. And they are shoe ins for the jobs. They are combat vets, usually cool under pressure, and are comfortable with being in uniform and having structure. Kicking in doors at 2am is something I did on the regular in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that we have men moving up into positions that allow them to plan these operations, they do what they know how to do. They kick in doors at 2am. Right or wrong, I believe that contributes to this.

I know this to be true in my own family. My cousin, an Iraq vet, now police officer, you have described to a "T." He hardly even socializes with his own family much less any one else that's not on the force. We are all the Taliban.
 
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