07-10-2016, 10:04 PM
After listening and reading commentary from a wide variety of sources, I think the tragedies of this week opened a lot of eyes (though much investigation into all of the violent incidents is still required).
I've heard conservative public figures acknowledge for the first time that systematic racism in policing exists, and I've seen gun-enthusiasts admit that some of the standard rhetoric pushed by the NRA and gun extremists often does not match reality.
I've heard several civil rights leaders, protesters, LE officials, and politicians reiterate strongly that they condemn violence and support police officers, while simultaneously condemning bad/unqualified officers and the systemic problems which enable them to hurt and kill people unjustifiably and cover it up.
I've heard several gun-rights advocates admit that legally carrying a gun can put one in more danger than not carrying a gun, especially during interactions with police (and especially for people of color).
The events of this week have shown that the element of surprise can indeed give a trained/prepared bad guy with a semi-automatic rifle and tons of ammunition a huge advantage over hundreds of trained and untrained good guys with guns, even in open carry zones.
The events of this week have also validated username's point about semi-automatics being virtually useless if the government wants to kill civilians, being that the government has WMDs, drones, tanks... Now she can add "robot bombers" to the list to support her argument.
I hope improvements in situational and de-escalation training, community outreach, mandatory body cams, independent investigatory bodies, etc... are put on the fast track now. And, I really hope that the more honest and cooperative dialogue from rational people on all sides continues.
I've heard conservative public figures acknowledge for the first time that systematic racism in policing exists, and I've seen gun-enthusiasts admit that some of the standard rhetoric pushed by the NRA and gun extremists often does not match reality.
I've heard several civil rights leaders, protesters, LE officials, and politicians reiterate strongly that they condemn violence and support police officers, while simultaneously condemning bad/unqualified officers and the systemic problems which enable them to hurt and kill people unjustifiably and cover it up.
I've heard several gun-rights advocates admit that legally carrying a gun can put one in more danger than not carrying a gun, especially during interactions with police (and especially for people of color).
The events of this week have shown that the element of surprise can indeed give a trained/prepared bad guy with a semi-automatic rifle and tons of ammunition a huge advantage over hundreds of trained and untrained good guys with guns, even in open carry zones.
The events of this week have also validated username's point about semi-automatics being virtually useless if the government wants to kill civilians, being that the government has WMDs, drones, tanks... Now she can add "robot bombers" to the list to support her argument.
I hope improvements in situational and de-escalation training, community outreach, mandatory body cams, independent investigatory bodies, etc... are put on the fast track now. And, I really hope that the more honest and cooperative dialogue from rational people on all sides continues.