Art 2/Steelers take on Floyd murder

[whisper]

I'm done ever trying to explain that Kap's original kneeling had nothing to do with the flag or our troops. Nothing. But some will never bother to grasp that no matter how often you explain it. I am done.

[feltdizz]

I'm done ever trying to explain that Kap's original kneeling had nothing to do with the flag or our troops. Nothing. But some will never bother to grasp that no matter how often you explain it. I am done.

oh. Rarely will you change someone’s mind. Some folks need it to be about what they will be offended by because they refuse to have empathy for people who don’t look like them.

Same reason I refuse to keep discussing topics that don’t have anything to do with the actual discussion. It’s just their way of diverting from the original topic.

[whatever]

and I’ll respond again, there are a lot of for private prisons and “some” of them aren’t interested in rehabilitating prisoners.

Never said a word about Michigan specifically but the Truth in Sentencing Law in Michigan is more proof of putting profits over rehabilitation

There are zero private prisons in michigan.
So where is the profit in truth in sentencing?

[whatever]

You make the point here whatever. Please don't be defensive for a moment and hear this with an open mind and heart.

You act like this is about ONE occasional murder. It is about a universally shared experience among blacks. Presumed guilty because of race. When arrested, presumed lying because of race.

If I'm black and in an "age range" that statistically commits more crimes...do "I" deserve to be viewed as a criminal 24/7 because of my skin tone?

I literally am universally considered the most docile. innocent person in the lives of people who "knew me" in my 20s.

I NEVER ONCE so much as stole a piece of candy as a kid. NEVER ONCE HIT ANYBODY in anger...for my entire life..even in self defense. Closest I've been to taking drugs is 2nd hand weed smoke from other people. Never been with a woman other than my wife AFTER marriage over 30 years ago. Literally have NEVER ONCE dropped an F-bomb, I do not cuss...EVER.

You might think my "sin" is that I'm a liar as nobody lives that life. I promise you I do live that life.

From when I was a little kid I was taught that God is real and he sees what you do. To love AND fear God. It shapes my every decision. Since grade school.

The most "offensive" thing I do is not shaddup about God and the Bible.

Now tell me, how do you think it feels to be PRESUMED GUILTY because you are in an age demographic and have dark skin?

When kids vandalized something....cops at my house asking questions. My friends....nothing. Between me and my siblings...multiple stops, car searches, brother got arrested sent to jail because he was the only black guy in the vicinity of a school riot (very small black population where I grew up). I'm not talking close, I'm talking hundreds of feet away....never engaged in the fighting. THE ONLY ONE ARRESTED not involved. Police later admitted as much.

I "still" get pulled over occasionally, with no justification at my age late 50s. When the cop sees"me, hears me, they are EXTREMELY nice as my age and comportment does not match their expectations. Nevertheless, why should I be singled out like that?

So whatever, can you open your mind to what that is like? Can you for a second understand that frustration?

THAT SHARED EXPERIENCE is why people are upset. It is not about just FLOYDS murder. Comparing it to crime by criminals in Chicago is just a way to avoid addressing nationwide systemic injustices.

Addressing systemic issues that caused his murder helps everyone who has had my experience. People are finally waking up to our experience. Chicago crime is a Chicago issue.

Floyd's killing is emblematic of a nationwide problem.

Great post.
I would be lying if I said I have experienced as much racism or negative profiling as you have.
And admit I will never understand, just as I know you will never understand the 'white' side of it.
I don't have the answers and obviously nobody else does either but I can assure you that rioting, looting and killing innocent cops doesn't help anything.
Just like you didn't want to be presumed guilty based on the color of your skin, certain people want to do the same to the police.
I'm skeptical that removing police, removing most criminals from prison etc etc etc will be the answer but I'm curious to see if it would. Just not in my town.
I think expecting the cops to do all the changing but not hold citizens accountable will never work.

[whatever]

I think there are lot of solutions, but we need to think differently.

The big issue imho is fixing the wealth gap which is at the heart of everything. If we can raise the economic floor for everyone and make everyone feel valued in society, that would create a new baseline to build upon.

Then there are practical things you can do. Decriminalize drugs and other silly things and pardon the majority in prison today.

Shut down private for profit prisons.

Stop policing traffic. No need to pull someone over to write them a ticket. Use a camera. Snap a photo. Send a citation by mail. Lots of bad thing happen when cops pull over drivers.

Teach conflict resolution in schools. People need to learn to de-escalate stuff on their own and within their community without calling the cops. Think of all the crazies that love to chant lock someone up. How bout we learn to stop calling the cops and create other alternatives that don’t lead to arrests or cops showing up and shooting or choking someone. In the Floyd case, why did they have to even involve the cops? The guy had a fake $20. Seems there might have been a different way to resolve other than arresting the guy and ending up killing him.

Generally, we need to consider as a society, how do we avoid needing police altogether. They really should be a last resort, but in so many cases, they are the first. And it comes down to us more than the police to fix it. I don’t know how you fix it when we have leaders that want to lead the chant on locking people up and attacking protestors with more force.

Why would anyone want to get an education and a real job if dealing drugs and passing counterfeit money wasn't punishable?
How is promoting drug dealing going to help future generations to study, work hard and improve yourself?
I bet most of the black on black shootings are over drugs. Seems that lots of crimes are committed while under the influence.
I'm in favor of the cameras but I thought that camera fines were deamed illegal or unconstitutional.

[whatever]

My whole problem with the whole kneeling issue is that it is more of a statement or symbol, but accomplishes nothing. Kap started kneeling what, four years ago? For all the discussion it started it hasn't changed a thing. People want to talk and let everyone see how important and socially conscientious they are, but just like the little black instagram square, IT DOES NOTHING. It has created more conversation about whether or not it disrespects the flag than about racism and the relationship between the police and minorities.

I'd be more impressed by someone actually reached out to someone with the power and authority to make changes, and worked towards helping the situation. One of the best videos on the issue I've seen is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGbo9EXWGcI

It is Steve Harvey talking about meeting with Donald Trump when Harvey was appointed to the Obama transition team. I'm not posting this to talk about Trump, either positively or negatively. When you hear him mention Trump, just imagine the word "president". It could be any president. He speaks about how much crap he took from within not just the black community, but the celebrity community and the left in general. The whole point here is that he saw an issue, he had an idea of how to help, he had the ability to meet with someone who could help do something about it, and they worked together, despite being on opposite sides of the political fence. Has Colin K ever tried reaching out to the association of chiefs of police? To government at either federal, state, or local levels? Has he contacted anybody other than the news reporters who used to mill around his locker asking about why he is kneeling? This is the reason I was never a fan of his kneeling. Not because I was offended by the flag issue, but because all you ever heard about him doing was kneeling. Essentially he was saying "Okay, I am bringing this issue to everybody's attention, now you fix it". I just found it very narcissistic. As if we were all just going to say "I didn't know that there was an issue, but an NFL backup QB just brought it to my attention, and if it is important to him, we'd better fix it".

I think that the sad state we find ourselves in has a lot to do with the idea that neither political side wants a solution if it means that the other side will get credit for it. The bigger problem is left vs. right, not white vs. black.

Agreed.
Crazy how the actors and athletes come out of the woodwork to tell me how I should think.
They raised millions and millions to bail out criminal looters and rioters but I don't see or hear them working towards a solution.

[whatever]

and I’ll respond again, there are a lot of for private prisons and “some” of them aren’t interested in rehabilitating prisoners.

Never said a word about Michigan specifically but the Truth in Sentencing Law in Michigan is more proof of putting profits over rehabilitation

8% of the US prison population is incarcerated in a private prison.
Out of that 8%, I'm sure there might be a very small percentage that has zero programming. I doubt it, but, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt. So with those stats I'm sure you will spin your accusations into relevant facts.

[feltdizz]

8% of the US prison population is incarcerated in a private prison.
Out of that 8%, I'm sure there might be a very small percentage that has zero programming. I doubt it, but, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt. So with those stats I'm sure you will spin your accusations into relevant facts.

8% and growing. That’s still like 121,000+ prisons. There shouldn’t be any private prisons IMO.

and I never said zero programming. I said some of them aren’t interested in rehabilitating prisoners.

keep trying to spin if you like but my words are my words.

[Mr.wizard]

Why would anyone want to get an education and a real job if dealing drugs and passing counterfeit money wasn't punishable?
How is promoting drug dealing going to help future generations to study, work hard and improve yourself?
I bet most of the black on black shootings are over drugs. Seems that lots of crimes are committed while under the influence.
I'm in favor of the cameras but I thought that camera fines were deamed illegal or unconstitutional.

He did'nt say anything about promoting drug dealing or making counterfeit money legal. He said decriminalize drugs, that is different from drugs and drug dealing being legal.

[Mr.wizard]

Agreed.
Crazy how the actors and athletes come out of the woodwork to tell me how I should think.
They raised millions and millions to bail out criminal looters and rioters but I don't see or hear them working towards a solution.

Of course they are working towards a solution, the problem of racism is something that needs to be fixed through awarness acceptance and empathy. The idea that they need to meet with law makers to "fix the problem" is a joke, what are you going to make racism illegal, or have thought crime legislation? Thats why money is donated to groups that promote awarness, support, and education on the issue.

[feltdizz]

Of course they are working towards a solution, the problem of racism is something that needs to be fixed through awarness acceptance and empathy. The idea that they need to meet with law makers to "fix the problem" is a joke, what are you going to make racism illegal, or have thought crime legislation? Thats why money is donated to groups that promote awarness, support, and education on the issue.

Doesn’t matter. Some people are invested in deflecting from the topic and lack critical thinking and context when discussing topics like this.

Not sure if they really lack it or they just aren’t interested in having nuanced conversation. I think it’s the latter.

[whatever]

8% and growing. That’s still like 121,000+ prisons. There shouldn’t be any private prisons IMO.

and I never said zero programming. I said some of them aren’t interested in rehabilitating prisoners.

keep trying to spin if you like but my words are my words.

I'm spinning?..lol. you keep backtracking. Make bold statements that there are little to no rehabilitation programs in prisons, act like to majority of prisons are private etc and then when I show that you lied, you say 'i didn't say every prison I said some'....lol.
Waiting for you to show me what percentage of that 8% don't care about rehabilitation.
Kinda wonder why money should even be spent on programs where it would be better served in the community fort the people that aren't criminals
Still waiting for you to tell me how zero private michigan prisons are profiting off truth in sentencing laws.....

[whatever]

Doesn’t matter. Some people are invested in deflecting from the topic and lack critical thinking and context when discussing topics like this.

Not sure if they really lack it or they just aren’t interested in having nuanced conversation. I think it’s the latter.

Pot, meet kettle.

[Buzz]

I don't have the answers and obviously nobody else does either but I can assure you that rioting, looting and killing innocent cops doesn't help anything.
Just like you didn't want to be presumed guilty based on the color of your skin, certain people want to do the same to the police.
I'm skeptical that removing police, removing most criminals from prison etc etc etc will be the answer but I'm curious to see if it would. Just not in my town.
I think expecting the cops to do all the changing but not hold citizens accountable will never work.

I agree with this.

[feltdizz]

I'm spinning?..lol. you keep backtracking. Make bold statements that there are little to no rehabilitation programs in prisons, act like to majority of prisons are private etc and then when I show that you lied, you say 'i didn't say every prison I said some'....lol.
Waiting for you to show me what percentage of that 8% don't care about rehabilitation.
Kinda wonder why money should even be spent on programs where it would be better served in the community fort the people that aren't criminals
Still waiting for you to tell me how zero private michigan prisons are profiting off truth in sentencing laws.....

my original post.. “a lot of prisons are private and some prisons aren’t interested in rehabilitation”

your reading comprehension skills are terrible.