Michael writes, of the McManus suspension of the three police officials: > Maybe > we should wait for more information before drawing > conclusions.
Wise words. I thought Doug Grow's column was far too snap-judgmental in criticizing McManus. The only part I agreed with was that McManus could have explained better that an officer put on paid leave is not automatically guilty, only being investigated. But substantively, if there are credible allegations of suppression of evidence - which appear to have arisen from the statements of two of the three officers - it doesn't appear outrageous that a supervising officer would a) call in outsiders to investigate and b) suspend those officers, with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation. Lucy Gerrold, in public statements, wonders if her reputation can ever be cleared. I guess this is a second point where I share some sympathy with Grow: if she is not guilty, it's unfair that mere suspicion leaves an indelible stain. Unfortunately, the reason is that America has become such a civically dysfunctional place that we've come to believe "charged" is the same as "guilty." We as citizens are responsible for falling for this, aided and abetted by a sensational media and a government that doesn't mind its police power (meaning the power to charge) being seen as synonymous with guilt. The irony here is that it's police officers put in no-win position this time. It's a good reminder of how important understanding civil liberties is to living civic life. David Brauer Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
