11-29-2014, 11:52 AM
^ I hope that you or Gunnar take the initiative and start a dedicated thread about Dillon Taylor's case if you’re interested. There are, in fact, over 40 recent media pieces pertaining to the case which you could reference, along with the body cam video of the shooting and coverage of the protests.
Personally, I feel Officer Cruz was justified in the shooting based on the police body cam audio/video + testimony of the other responding officer + the fact that the officers were responding to a call about perps with a gun (none of which was the case in the Michael Brown shooting). Based on what I know, it's my opinion that the shooting was a justifiable “mistake”. Dillon wasn’t armed and there is some contention by his supporters that he didn’t hear the officer’s commands when he failed to turn around as directed and instead went for his waist band (as recorded by body cam), after his friends had already complied with police instructions.
I understand the Salt Lake City authorities’ decision not to charge Officer Cruz -- who appears white but is classified as a minority by police -- same as I understand the Ferguson grand jury’s lack of indictment against Officer Wilson. I also understand those who don’t believe that there is ever justification for shooting an unarmed person (though for me it’s case-by-case), and I understand why members of Dillon's and Michael's families and their communities continue to protest in both Missouri and Utah. It's not black vs. white for me, Cars. Lotta gray in my view.
As for your statement: 'The "media" does rule/brainwash the sheeple masses, contrary to what HotD believes.'
Real and perceived cases of racial discrimination have existed in societies around the world since long before the birth of “media”. The claim that “media” is to blame for perceptions that racial discrimination may be a factor in the shootings of unarmed black teens by white officers is therefore illogical and baseless, to me. I respect that you and others see it differently.
Regarding “mindless sheeple”: I don’t disagree that some people believe whatever they see or hear – regardless of the source (be it media, friends, lovers, politicians...). And, I know for a fact that some people are narrow-minded old fools who aren’t objective enough to consider and respect differing views when insisting that their beliefs are right and others' are wrong.
However, in my experience, those people are in the vast minority and are not the people who are forming or influencing social policy and opinions. I know far more people who are quite able to consider any source, question or recognize spin/bias/ sensationalism when they see or suspect it, and then use the facts + critical thinking + observation to form their own opinions.
I am sorry that your experiences lead you to believe that you’re smarter and less gullible than everyone who follows the news and doesn’t share your views, Cars. But, you are of course entitled to hang on to that belief and I’m entitled to a different one. Personally, I have no cause to believe that I and all Americans who watch/read media news and happen to have a broader or different perspective than @Carsman must be “brainwashed mindless sheeple”.
But, what the hell do I know? I also don’t believe that Ebola is the end of the world as we know it. I think that snakes are truly beautiful creatures. And, I think diversity is one of the best parts of life -- I'd be bored silly if everyone looked or thought or acted as do I.
It takes all kinds (to keep things interesting, IMO).
Personally, I feel Officer Cruz was justified in the shooting based on the police body cam audio/video + testimony of the other responding officer + the fact that the officers were responding to a call about perps with a gun (none of which was the case in the Michael Brown shooting). Based on what I know, it's my opinion that the shooting was a justifiable “mistake”. Dillon wasn’t armed and there is some contention by his supporters that he didn’t hear the officer’s commands when he failed to turn around as directed and instead went for his waist band (as recorded by body cam), after his friends had already complied with police instructions.
I understand the Salt Lake City authorities’ decision not to charge Officer Cruz -- who appears white but is classified as a minority by police -- same as I understand the Ferguson grand jury’s lack of indictment against Officer Wilson. I also understand those who don’t believe that there is ever justification for shooting an unarmed person (though for me it’s case-by-case), and I understand why members of Dillon's and Michael's families and their communities continue to protest in both Missouri and Utah. It's not black vs. white for me, Cars. Lotta gray in my view.
As for your statement: 'The "media" does rule/brainwash the sheeple masses, contrary to what HotD believes.'
Real and perceived cases of racial discrimination have existed in societies around the world since long before the birth of “media”. The claim that “media” is to blame for perceptions that racial discrimination may be a factor in the shootings of unarmed black teens by white officers is therefore illogical and baseless, to me. I respect that you and others see it differently.
Regarding “mindless sheeple”: I don’t disagree that some people believe whatever they see or hear – regardless of the source (be it media, friends, lovers, politicians...). And, I know for a fact that some people are narrow-minded old fools who aren’t objective enough to consider and respect differing views when insisting that their beliefs are right and others' are wrong.
However, in my experience, those people are in the vast minority and are not the people who are forming or influencing social policy and opinions. I know far more people who are quite able to consider any source, question or recognize spin/bias/ sensationalism when they see or suspect it, and then use the facts + critical thinking + observation to form their own opinions.
I am sorry that your experiences lead you to believe that you’re smarter and less gullible than everyone who follows the news and doesn’t share your views, Cars. But, you are of course entitled to hang on to that belief and I’m entitled to a different one. Personally, I have no cause to believe that I and all Americans who watch/read media news and happen to have a broader or different perspective than @Carsman must be “brainwashed mindless sheeple”.
But, what the hell do I know? I also don’t believe that Ebola is the end of the world as we know it. I think that snakes are truly beautiful creatures. And, I think diversity is one of the best parts of life -- I'd be bored silly if everyone looked or thought or acted as do I.
It takes all kinds (to keep things interesting, IMO).