Thousands and thousands of people are falsely accused every year by the state. They have to empty their bank accounts in their own defense. And when the jury acquits, they feel lucky to walk away. Now, tell me why the police should suddenly be DIFFERENT. One thing we can safely expect. We can count on it that this officer, if innocent, will not spend 20 years in prison on a false charge as has happened to some civilians. The fact is that NO ONE would believe the accuser in this case except there have been quite enough cases where police have beaten people, suffocated them to the point of death, browbeaten handcuffed prisoners on video. It is THAT which makes this charge credible, not the track record of the accuser. Some of the sympathizers don't think it right for the police to be judged on their history, but that's the way it happens. Moreover, that is exactly what the POLICE do. They haul in "usual suspects" before they go after unknown offenders. In any case, a public review of objective facts can decide this one way or the other. The worst thing the police can do here is try to sweep it quietly under the rug. Innocence wouldn't avail anything if they go the secrecy route. If police were more concerned to discipline their own, they wouldnt be dealing with this sort of thing now. I think Olson is FINALLY getting this, as he heads for resignation. Laux never got it at all.
There was a question to the effect "how would you like to be convicted on the word of these guys?" Well, first, prosecutors have convicted LOTS of people on the word of these sorts of people. None of the convicted were police. All were African American residents of Minneapolis. So, though this hypothetical has no history in discipline of police, it has a LOT of history in the prosecution of African Americans accused by local prosecutors. But, more than THAT, no one will be convicted on the WORD of the accusers in these recent cases. No, first it is unlikely, no matter how STRONG the case, that internal affairs will recommend a prosecution. List off the police prosecuted, despite killings and beatings, in the last decade. You can't. I don't think there has been one. But if history should change, it will ONLY because they DON'T have to depend on "the word" of the alleged victims. So the question is not even relevant. Basically, it is a way to try to make people fearful. That is a standard way to make the white community passive and uninvolved, thereby isolating African Americans AGAIN from community protection. It is a shame that this has worked in civilization for millenia. We have advanced so LITTLE in so many years. And such a pattern is unworthy of a city like Minneapolis.
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Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
Crimes against Peace: namely, planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances, or participation in a Common Plan or Conspiracy for the accomplishment of any of the foregoing; -- Nuremberg War Tribunal
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