Black lives do not matter to police in Ferguson

Black lives do not matter to police in Ferguson. We can infer that from their reaction to the presence of armed Oath Keepers.

Who are the Oath Keepers and what are they doing in Ferguson?

Wikipedia tells us who they are.

Oath Keepers is an American nonprofit organization that advocates that its members (current and former U.S. military and law enforcement) disobey any orders that they are given if they believe they violate the Constitution of the United States.

The Oath Keepers were founded on March 2009 by Stewart Rhodes and incorporated in Las Vegas, Nevada as a non-profit corporation. Rhodes is a Yale Law School graduate, a former US Army paratrooper, and a former staffer of Congressman Ron Paul. The Oath Keepers as a group have grown to include chapters in many states across America.

What oath do they take? It’s the enlistment oath administered to every person who enlists in the military, plus a caveat.

“I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

The caveat is a promise “to disobey unconstitutional orders,” that functions as a right-wing-wacko magnet attracting Birthers, Truthers, all manner of Obama haters, self-described patriots and an assortment of conspiracy theorists who fear that the government is going to declare martial law, confiscate their guns and imprison them in FEMA trailer camps.

In her article titled, Oath Keepers and the Age of Treason, (Mother Jones March/April  2010, Justine Sharrock wrote,

 It is easy enough to dismiss the Oath Keepers as (in the words of Britain’s Independent) “right-wing crackpots” or “extremist nimrods” (Huffington Post). CNN stressed the group’s conspiracy theories in its series on militias. But beyond the predictable stereotypes, “the reality is a lot of them are fairly intelligent, well-educated people who have complex worldviews that are thoroughly thought out,” says author David Neiwert, who has been following the patriot movement closely since the ’90s.

Rhodes’ vision is simple—”It’s the Constitution, stupid.” He views the founding blueprint the way fundamentalist Christians view the Bible. In Rhodes’ America, sovereign states—”like little labs of freedom”—would have their own militias and zero gun restrictions. He would limit federal power to what’s stated explicitly in the Constitution and Bill of Rights; any new federal law affecting the states would require a constitutional amendment. “If your state goes retarded,” he says, “you can move to another state and vote with your feet.” The president would be stripped of emergency powers that allow him to seize property, restrict travel, institute martial law, and otherwise (as the Congressional Research Service has put it) “control the lives of United States citizens.” The Constitution, Rhodes explains, “was created to check us in times of emergency when we are freaking out.”

What are the Oath Keepers doing in Ferguson? Here’s Wikipedia again,

During the Ferguson unrest of 2014, the Oath Keepers arrived days after the start of the riots to protect local business and residents. A member’s comments on the situation are as follows: “We thought they were going to do it right this time,” Rhodes said of government response to the grand jury decision released Monday in the Michael Brown case. “But when Monday rolled around and they didn’t park the National Guard at these businesses, that’s when we said we have got to do something.”

They offer the same explanation this time.

However, a rose is a rose is a rose and even though Missouri is an open-carry state, I’m seeing a bunch of scary looking white guys carrying assault rifles wearing camo and bullet-proof vests . Can you spell V I G I L A N T E?

St.Louis Chief of Police John Belnar said their presence is “both unnecessary and inflammatory,” but they are still there even though the governor has placed Ferguson under a state of emergency.

I believe the police allow them to remain because the Oath Keepers are white and regarded as allies against a sinister black horde.

Time for a rhetorical question: What do you think would happen, if the Oath Keepers were black?

One thing is clear: Black Lives Do Not Matter to local and state officials and that is why the protests will continue.

Jeffrey Williams has been charged with shooting two police officers outside Ferguson P.D.

Reuters is reporting,

A 20-year-old man was charged on Sunday with first-degree assault in last week’s shooting of two policemen during a protest rally in Ferguson, Missouri, a crime that shocked a city that has been devastated by months of racial strife.

The suspect, Jeffrey Williams, has admitted to firing the shots that wounded the officers early on Thursday, said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch.

The right wing is going crazy claiming that Williams was a protester, even though he allegedly fired from inside his car at a location that was nowhere near where the protesters were. In fact, they were not protesting. They were celebrating Chief Jackson’s resignation from the Ferguson Police Department.

Yet more evidence, as if we needed it, that the racist right wing hate machine doesn’t bother with evidence. They just keep on making stuff up.

St.Louis police need to STFU and stop killing people UPDATES (2) BELOW

Monday, December 1, 2014

Good morning:

The racist police in St.Louis are whining about five St.Louis Rams receivers who protested the Michael Brown shooting by raising their hands during the pregame introductions. I use the word ‘racist’ deliberately because Jeff Roorda, the spokesperson for the St.Louis Police Officers’s Association called the protesters in Ferguson ‘thugs’ when he threatened reprisals against the team, if it does not discipline the players or they do not apologize.

Roorda said,

I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights. Well I’ve got news for people who think that way, cops have First Amendment rights too, and we plan to exercise ours.

I’d remind the NFL and their players that it is not the violent thugs burning down buildings that buy their advertiser’s products. It’s cops and the good people of St. Louis and other NFL towns that do.

Somebody needs to throw a flag on this play. If it’s not the NFL and the Rams, then it’ll be cops and their supporters.

Well, I’ve got news for Jeff Roorda and the St.Louis police: You need to STFU and stop killing people.

UPDATE 1: SB Nation is reporting that the NFL has refused to discipline the players.

The NFL has denied requests from the St. Louis Police Officers Association to discipline a group of St. Louis Rams players who made the “Hands up, don’t shoot” gesture while taking the field on Sunday, according to CNN’s Rachel Nichols.

“We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation,” NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy said in a statement.

/snip/

The players explained the decision to reporters after the game, saying it was meant as a sign of support for the community, not an indictment of Wilson.

“We wanted to show that we are organized for a great cause and something positive comes out of it,” Britt told ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “That’s what we hope we can make happen. That’s our community. We wanted to let the community know that we support the community.”

UPDATE 2: Obama To Ask Congress For $263 Million For Police Body Cameras and Training.

After a day spent meeting with his Cabinet, civil rights leaders and other officials about the mistrust of police in communities of color, President Obama will ask Congress for $263 million in part to equip local police with body cameras.

During a briefing with reporters, a White House official said Obama is also set to announce the creation of a task force on “21st century policing” that will “examine how to promote effective crime reduction while building public trust.”

Obama, the official said, has appointed two co-chairs to the commission: Charles Ramsey, the Philadelphia police commissioner, and Laurie Robinson, a George Mason University professor and a former assistant attorney.

Ferguson is every city USA and Wilson is a psychopath with a badge

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Good morning:

Ferguson is every city USA because racism and white privilege are everywhere and our mostly white militarized police departments behave like an occupation army itching to kill anyone who steps out of line, especially if they have dark skin.

Darren Wilson lost his temper because Dorian Johnson and Michael Brown did not immediately obey his command to get on the sidewalk. He put his vehicle in reverse and cut them off, nearly running them over, and then he swung his door open hitting them.

Michael Brown shoved the door back, just as I might have done in a flash of anger, if I had been in his situation.

Wilson could not handle such disrespect, so he grabbed Michael’s shirt with his left hand and reached for his gun with his right hand.

With good reason considering the epidemic of police harassment and killings of people of color, Michael attempted to prevent Wilson from shooting him.

But Wilson was determined to kill him and nothing was going to stop him.

The demon he described was his own racist self that he projected onto Michael Brown, demonizing him to justify taking a life.

And he has no regrets, none whatsoever, because no black kid is going to get away with challenging his authority.

Darren Wilson is a racist psychopath with a badge.

Ferguson happened a week ago in a park in Cleveland when a rookie cop murdered a black 12-year-old kid.

Ferguson happened on Staten Island when a cop psychopath murdered Eric Garner by choking him to death as other cops restrained him.

The real terrorists in this country are the militarized police departments and the psychopaths with badges.

No place is safe. No place at all.

And if you think you are safe because you are white, think again.

Two words.

Kelly Thomas.

Think twice before you call 911.

It could be the last call you ever make.

Transcripts show #DarrenWilson lied to the grand jury

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Good afternoon:

I caught Officer Darren Wilson in a major lie regarding whether he stopped the two boys in response to the radio call about the theft of a box of cigarillos from the Ferguson Market.

First we have a transcript of his grand jury testimony:

Question by Prosecutor Ms. Whirley

Q: Okay. Did you get any other calls between the time of the sick baby call and your interaction with Michael Brown and Dorian Johnson?
A: While on the sick case call, a call came out for a stealing in progress from the local market on West Florissant, that the suspects traveling toward QT. I didn’t hear the entire call, I was on my portable radio, which isn’t exactly the best. I did hear that a suspect was wearing a black shirt and that a box of Cigarillos was stolen.
Q: And this was your call or you just heard the call?
A: It was not my call. I heard the call.
Q: Some other officers were dispatched to that call.
A: I believe two others were.
Q: Was it a call you were going to go toalso?
A: No.
Q: So you weren’t really geared to handle that call?
A: No.
/snip/
A: As I approached them, I stopped a couple of feet in front of Johnson as they are walking toward me, I am going toward them. As Johnson came along my driver’s side mirror I said, “why don’t you guys walk on the sidewalk?” He kept walking, as he is walking, he said, “we are almost to our destination.”
Q: Do you think he used those words destination, we are almost to our destination?
A: Yes, ma’am. He said we are almost to our destination and he pointed this direction over my vehicle. So like in a northeasternly (sic) direction. As he did that, he kept walking and Brown was starting to come around the mirror and as he came around the mirror I said, “well, what’s wrong with the sidewalk?” Brown then replied, um it has vulgar language.
Q: You can say it, say it.
A: Brown then replied, “fuck what you have to say.” And when he said that, it drew my attention totally to Brown. It was very unusual and not expected response from a simple request.
When I start looking at Brown, first thing I notice is in his right hand, his hand is full of Cigarillos. I looked in my mirror, I did a double check that Johnson was wearing a black shirt. These are the two from the stealing.
And they kept walking, as I said, they never once stopped, never got on the sidewalk, they stayed in the middle of the road.
So I got on my radio and Frank 21 is my call sign that day, I said Frank 21 I’m on Canfield with two, send me another car.
I then placed my car in reverse and backed up and I backed up just past them and then angled my vehicle, the back of my vehicle to kind of cut them off, kind of to keep them somewhat contained.

[GJ, Vol. V pp. 202-209]

Second, now we have a transcript of his direct supervisor’s testimony. Sergeant LNU* responded to the scene within minutes after the shooting and was the first person to interview him.

Question by a Prosecutor Ms. Alizadeh

Q: Did he know about it? Did he talk about knowing about the stealing?
A: He did not know anything about the stealing call.
Q: He told you he did not know anything about the stealing?
A: He did not know anything. He was out on another call in the apartment complex adjacent to Canfield Green.
[GJ, Vol. V, pp. 52-53]

Question by a GJ member

Q: Now, my question to you is this. Are you saying that because he told you he didn’t know about it or are you saying that because he didn’t mention It to you when you were talking to him?
A: He did not mention it to me again. I learned about it at a later time.
Q: Has he ever told you, yeah, I didn’t know anything about what happened up at the Ferguson Market?
A: Yes, he told me that in subsequent conversations.
Q: He told you he didn’t know about there being a stealing at the Ferguson Market?
A: Correct

[GJ, Vol. V, p. 58]

The shooting happened on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

Wilson was not questioned by anyone else until after he conferred with his lawyer at the station house.

Both witnesses testified before the grand jury on September 16, 2014, which was 5 weeks after the shooting.

My question is, how can anyone believe Officer Darren Wilson regarding any material issue of fact when he lied about the reason he stopped the boys to portray them as criminal thieves?

*LNU means last name unknown

Methinks Robert McCulloch doth protest too much

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Good morning:

Prosecutor Robert McCulloch’s angry, defensive and crazy rant last night criticizing the media and the internet for allegedly whipping up public support for charging Darren Wilson with a crime for killing an unarmed Michael Brown raising his hands in the universal sign of surrender proved beyond doubt that he is unfit to hold the office of Prosecuting Attorney for St.Louis County.

He believed all along that Wilson was justified in killing Michael Brown and should not have been charged. His obvious bias in favor of Wilson, when considered together with the unlawful release of information that was presented in secret to the grand jury, reveals that Wilson did not need a lawyer because McCulloch was his staunchest defender.

Little wonder that Wilson, the cop who refused to fill out an offense report about the shooting, decided to waive his right to remain silent and testify before the grand jury.

The outcome was rigged from Day One and has no legitimacy.

Look at these photographs of the diminutive Wilson, who is 6’4″ and 210 pounds.

Notice in particular the incredibly nasty suborbital eye socket fracture.

The secret reverse star-chamber proceeding seasoned with selective leaks cooked up by McCulloch should be universally condemned.

Grand Jury Testimony Unlikely To Be Released in Michael Brown Shooting

Monday, November 24, 2014

Good morning:

Prosecuting Attorney Bob Culloch has publicly stated that a transcript of the proceedings before the grand jury investigating the Michael Brown shooting will be released, if the grand jury decides not to indict Officer Darren Wilson.

Jason Sickles at Yahoo reports,

For three months, prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch has said he would seek a rare court order from Judge Carolyn Whittington immediately releasing nearly all evidence should Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson not be charged. Grand jury proceedings usually remain secret.

“We’ve asked the judge to do that, and the judge has agreed that she will do that, if there is no indictment,” McCulloch said during a radio interview with KTRS in September. “There’s no probably about it, it will be released.”

On Sunday, however, the court said, “Judge Whittington has entered no such order and has made no such agreement,” according to director of judicial admnistration Paul Fox.

I do not believe Judge Whittington will order the evidence released.

Grand jury proceedings are secret in order to protect witnesses from potential public criticism, condemnation and retaliation. Not even their identities can be disclosed, much less their testimony, especially in an extremely controversial case like this one where threats to kill have been uttered and public officials are preparing for a war to break out. The situation is so tense that Governor Nixon has preemptively declared a state of emergency and called out the National Guard.

Under these circumstances, where public disclosure of witness identities and testimony could be a death sentence, I cannot imagine that a judge would lift the veil of secrecy. I certainly would not risk people’s lives to provide political cover for McCulloch’s decision to try Wilson in secret.

There is only one way to handle this case properly and that is to charge Wilson with murder and accord him a public trial with due process of law.

To be clear, I have never believed McCulloch was operating in good faith.

Since August 9th when Darren Wilson killed an unarmed Michael Brown at noon on a quiet residential street in Ferguson before witnesses who described an execution, he has been working diligently to protect Wilson by shepherding him through a secret grand jury investigation.

I believe he knew the transcripts would not be released to the public, but chose to assure everyone that they would be released in order to place public attention on the judge who would refuse to release them and thereby conceal his misconduct.

Voters need to get rid of this racist schemer next time around.