Also @117 that's exactly what I mean. The taking of property was apparently not by force, but furtive (shoplifting). The leaving the store appears to have been by force. Which is not a crime punishable by death in this country.

* don't

@121 Let's stop sparring. I think that it's incompatible to believe that the shooting was unjustified but that that does not constitute an abuse of power. You believe otherwise. Elseways, we agree

@ Matt from Denver. I have re-read our argument now that I'm (reasonably) sober, and your position makes no sense. Unjustified killing by police officers is an abuse of power. Bad police work resulting in death is an abuse of power.

And your post @116 is gibberish. There is no police procedure that can justify an otherwise unjustified killing. There is no rule that abuse of power is an individual thing only. Power can be, and is, abused by the widespread implementation of endemic racism all the time. Sheesh

"While the West pursues its utopian fantasies with great moral fervor, the rest of the world continues as it has always been — except that they are now colonizing us. . . . Attempts at erecting utopias will ultimately result in huge psychological tension as people are expected to swear allegiance to universalist abstractions even as they see their neighborhoods invaded by non-Whites, even as their jobs are outsourced to foreign countries or taken away by immigrants, and even as they see the political and cultural power of their own group declining — in a word, displacement. In these circumstances, the more selfish and particularist emotions centered around family and ethnic group inevitably bubble to the surface to compete with the universalist abstractions. In the contemporary world these abstractions are being imposed on us by elites — including the Jewish component." Kevin McDonald

How did Seattle get stuck with so many far right a$$hole cops?

Why do cops get paid twice what teachers do when police work is one of the top high-paying jobs for college flunkies?

Bonus question: Why do conservatives hate big government, hate unions (especially public employee unions), hate government workers (especially highly-paid ones) - but fetishise police? Could it be that conservatives are really just anti-democratic authoritarian moral absolutists at heart?

@76: "When dealing with the second and third groups of criminals police have to make decisions in increments of a second to ensure they don't get injured, crippled or killed."

Oh cry me a fucking river. It is well-established that police work is not unduly dangerous. Lots more fishermen, cabbies and construction workers are killed on the job, and nurses are much, much more likely to be assaulted than are cops. There is a reason why funerals for cops getting killed on duty make the news and are televised - they are so RARE.

@88 "You think a beating from a 6'4" 250 pound man doesn't have the potential to cause death or serious injury?"

1. State law is very clear that deadly force cannot be used against an attack with hands or fists.

2. Police officers are highly trained and, in addition to firearms, are armed with (a) Taser(s), nightstick(s), knife/knives, pepper spray(s) and any number of other implements designed to kill and maim.

3. Further proof that cops are really a bunch of pussies if they're still worried about a little fisticuffs in light of #2.

@8: " As a criminal defense attorney I am seething at this idiot's comments."

As a criminal defence attorney, you see these comments from your client's arresting officer, you've won the lottery, right?

@127

the nerdy dude from Kids In The Hall said that?? I always though better of him...

hey everyone, this asshole is back!

If I were a Seattle resident and my taxes were going to pay this cop's salary I'd be pissed off at his attitude. So he's a sheepdog & I'm a "sheep"? Screw him. He' a sheepdog & I'm the shepherd who feeds his mangy ass.

Another dirtbag Seattle cop. I'm starting to think the only "reforms" that will work for these neanderthals is if everyone starts carrying a weapon of their own. You'd be amazed how much more respect you get from these clowns when you tell them that your armed as well.

how funny is it that this police officer hired to protect and serve the people of Seattle fell for a satire news article about Wilson being injured. goes to show you they don't hire the smartest people.

Where do they get these assholes? The SPD has had a bad rep since the'60's, why is that? When all you can think of is hostility towards your fellow citizens & self pity for yourself what do you get? SPD! The general public could be an assett to policing, but nooooooooooooooooooooooooo! These guys are so busy thinking they're better than everyone one else while simultaneously wallowing in self pity is pretty weird. We're all in this together boys, whether you like it of not! Which side do you want the citizenry to be on?