The thing is, any argument that tries to exonerate Michael Brown starts off wrong.

[jobycom]

There is no need to explain why shooting an unarmed teenager with his hands in the air is a horrific act. There is no need to cite police rules of engagement, or to explain Michael Brown's history, or to figure out whether he stole a box of cigars, or to defend Michael Brown in any way at all. Nothing Brown did or could have done in the past justifies a cop shooting an unarmed person with his hands in the air. Every other argument is a diversion.

[cyberswede]

1. I agree. nt

[BaggersRDumb]

2. Trayvon, Jordan and Michael, all confronted over nothing, all killed over nothing.

In all 3 instances the murderer did not need to have any interaction with the victim.

Think about it.

[world wide wally]

4. That has become "The American Way" in the 21st century

But don't fear...more guns will make us all safe

[BaggersRDumb]

5. Yeah, the gun issue is ultimately almost as important as racism and economic terrorism

I think the Koch bros and their friends want us to kill each other; the police exist, ultimately, to protect a few thousand rich people from the rest of us.

While I am the most anti-gun person I know, the last people I would take them away from are minorities and GAY people.

As they are targeted, daily, by the racists and bigots.

[brer cat]

6. Welcome to DU, BaggersRDumb.

[BaggersRDumb]

17. Gracias

[Shemp Howard]

16. blacks, guns, and the KKK

I wish I could remember where I read it, but awhile back I read an article about how isolated southern blacks were able to keep the KKK at bay. The author's point was that many rural black households kept a hunting shotgun by the front door. And that often deterred the KKK from house attacks.

As I noted above, I can't remember where I read that. It could have been an NRA propaganda piece, for all I know. Or it could have been from a respected historian's book.

Regardless, it is something worth thinking about.

[Iggo]

3. Exonerate him of what? Getting himself all murdered and shit?

[cyberswede]

8. I think Iggo was being sarcastic.

[Iggo]

9. Whoo-boy! That'd be a long list.

But yeah, I thought the sarcasm would be obvious. I see now it wasn't. Sorry about that.

[Maedhros]

10. I apologize. I've been running into some pretty astounding posts about the Ferguson situation

and my sarcasm detector is broken.

I stand chastised.

[Iggo]

13. Astounding, no doubt about it.

[The CCC]

11. The thing is, any argument that tries to exonerate Michael Brown starts off wrong.

The presumption of innocence applies to Michael Brown and Darren Wilson.

[AlbertCat]

12. I'm not sure "exonerate" is the word you want to use.

The things you then list seem to be excuses for exonerating Darrell Wilson. (there's certainly no need for that!)

There's certainly nothing Brown did to be even wounded, much less killed.

[jobycom]

18. It's exactly the word I want to use.

That was the point. Anyone trying to offer excuses that exonerate him of blame in the encounter are playing the diversion game of the cops and wingers. The other side is trying to put us on the defense, and when we start saying he was a good kid, or shoplifting doesn't deserve execution, or whatever, we are allowing them to divert us. He doesn't need to be defended. The facts are offense enough. We need to press the case, not let them make us defend Brown.

That's exactly how Trayvon Martin's murderer went free. They made the case about clearing Martin. The facts of the acts of aggression are all that we need to push.

[seveneyes]

15. "hands in the air" is an argument itself

"hands in the air" has not been proven a fact.

[jobycom]

19. Then ignore it, my post still stands without it. nt

Nt