Boston: hands *not* up; still not shot

I've written before (and I think most locals agree) that Boston-area cops are generally helpful and decent civil servants. I just read of an incident that's a bit different than what we hear about happening elsewhere in the US, I thought I'd post it.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/12/30/6-teens-charged-with-attacking-2-boston-police-officers/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/12/30/6-teens-charged-with-attacking-2-boston-police-officers

Two armed Boston cops went to serve an arrest warrant, and they were allegedly attacked by six black teens, ages 13-18.

The cops got "pretty banged up" but didn't draw their guns, used pepper spray instead.

In another indication that this took place in Boston and not, say, Texas, "Bail was set at $1 for the younger teens, with that amount to be posted only by their parents, according to the Suffolk District Attorney’s office."

It appears that cell phone video of the incident exists - hopefully it becomes public.

While I can't swear that the cops aren't lying about what happened, I just thought people should know that some cops aren't trigger-happy.

A thread of support for Mayor Bill de Blasio

The world can see, plain as day, what is happening: de Blasio is facing an insurrection by NYC's police department because he wants all of that force to obey the law, and to act in a manner that civil society demands.

When the keepers of law and order permit wanton lawlessness within their own ranks, things can only end terribly. Let us hope that Mayor de Blasio has the wisdom, strength and courage necessary to win this battle; if he loses, Democracy loses.

Camper van Beethoven! (cross post from Mass group)

Will be in Cambridge MA on Jan 16th - I posted in the Mass group, but thought I'd also clutter this group up with a cross-post:

Camper van Beethoven / Cracker, Cambridge, Jan. 16th at the Middle East, downstairs:

https://www.facebook.com/events/742654065804707/

Both groups were fronted by the same person (David Lowery), both incredibly underrated in my humble opinion.

A primer:

Camper van Beethoven / Cracker, Cambridge, Jan. 16th

For anyone who's interested...

at the Middle East, downstairs:

https://www.facebook.com/events/742654065804707/

Both groups were fronted by the same person (David Lowery), both incredibly underrated in my humble opinion.

A primer:

So damned angry again today, discussing Eric Garner's homicide

We had relatives over for dinner and were talking about the problems with police in NYC. One of my relatives was explaining the Garner homicide to his children with such dispassion... I couldn't deal with it and threw a bit of a fit.

I don't understand how any person can watch the killing on video and not be furious. Red-in-the face, arm-flapping, flecks-of-spittle furious.

Officer Pantaleo went for the windpipe the moment Garner started moving his arms a bit, and stayed focused on his windpipe, moving as necessary as Garner was taken to the ground, until the man selling single cigarettes who broke up a fight was dead. At the very least, it was a deliberate act intended to put Garner at the brink of death to keep him under control.

For selling single cigarettes breaking up a fight.

I generally like police, and think that most all of them, at least in my state of Massachusetts, wake up each day and work hard to live up to the moniker of peace officer. But that pack of hyenas in Staten Island, particularly Pantaleo... until they're held to account for their actions, actions as plain as day, I can't see how there will be a lasting peace in NYC.

Congratulations, rich people!

Another Wall Street record targeting the 5% of Americans who own 62% of the stock market.

And for most Americans, who own no stock? This should serve as a lesson to you little people: always make sure you're rich.

As President, will Elizabeth Warren get rid of

Let's make a deal. Write all you want about Sen. Warren being a former Republican

But please: also mention the ill-considered actions of anyone you've voted for in the past -- Iraq and Afghanistan wars, 5,000 Iraqi children dead each month from Bill Clinton's Iraq sanctions, millions of families kicked out of their homes because of bank deregulation, etc. It only seems fair, yes?

Sometimes we only have bad choices to choose from. Sometimes we royally @#$& up.

But the important things, I think, are to

1. Pay attention to a decision in proportion to how important your actions are. A Senator voting for War has an incredible responsibility to uphold; a law school professor voting for a politician has far less of an impact.
2. Admit when we're wrong, and move on to better things, with gusto.

8:00 tonight, Warrenistas

It's horrible that two NYC cops were killed for wearing their uniforms

it's also awful that the NYC police seem to be using this as a device to stop badly-needed reforms.

Peace, peace, peace.