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No More Hurting People
Author: BobR    Date: 04/18/2013 12:52:14

 
"Can't we all just get along?"
- Rodney King

In 1991, a man was pulled over after a high speed car chase and beaten mercilessly by the police. It would have been just another day in Los Angeles, with white racist cops venting their hatred on another black man, had it not been for the person who recorded the beating and made it public. That resulted in the cops going on trial and Rodney King - the aforementioned sap how got his face broken - becoming a public name. It was AFTER the cops' trial where none were convicted that anger, frustration, and justice denied once again resulted in riots in LA and elsewhere in the country. Any white person unlucky enough to be near a black inner city neighborhood when the verdict was announced was in trouble. It was during this mayhem that a bewildered Rodney King uttered his famous phrase.

That phrase has been reused often - generally for comic effect - since then to punctuate the naive notion that we could actually all get along. "What? - people not lash out in violence?", implies the quoter. *chortle, chortle*...

Charles Darwin theorized that we evolved from a primative ancestor. As mankind and society have moved forward through time, it seems that we have had trouble as a species leaving behind that reactive violence that seems so normal in the animal kingdom and so abhorrent in ours. It seems we still dip our toes into that primordial soup from time to time and lash out in anger, hatred, and fear.

The mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary last December seems to have finally held a mirror up to our faces and forced us to take a long hard look at ourselves. Who are we? Are we a country of rational human beings capable of overcoming our fear and moving towards understanding, or are we superstitious members of a blood cult that sees human sacrifice as a regretful necessity to appease the gods of freedom? When we see gay marriage becoming more commonplace, I hope for the former. When senseless murder occurs on a daily basis I have to sadly conclude the latter.

I was in New York on 9/11. I was living in Atlanta during the Centennial Park bombing. In both cases, the need to make sense of the senseless overpowered common sense and decency. A good and honest man named Richard Jewel was initially identified as a "person of interest" in the Centennial Park bombing (although I suppose that was not the phrase used at the time) because he identified the bomb for what it was and got people to move away from it before it exploded. That was all the media and court of public opinion needed to convict him of the crime. Eventually, Eric Rudolph was convicted of that bombing as well as the bombings of a couple abortion clinics and a lesbian night club. Richard Jewel, however, had his life upended for no good reason other than the public's bloodthirsty desire for vengeance.

After 9/11, American Muslims and anyone that looked vaguely Middle-Eastern suffered the same fate. Arabic-looking citizens and immigrants were beaten. Even Sikhs - people who practice a religion unrelated to Islam - were targeted simply because of their signature turbans.

Watching the news yesterday (or - more accurately - avoiding it), it struck me again how impatient we are for that moment of "we got him!". CNN disgraced themselves for making this very announcement on shaky information, only to have to retract it an hour later. Descriptions of a "dark-skinned male" have circulated. Photos of people with backpacks have been posted to online media with accusatory questions of "could this be the bomber?" I am not alone in wondering if in our haste to feel safe that the culprit is under lock and key, we are creating another potential Richard Jewel.

Feeling powerless to prevent violence makes people lash out in ways that diminish us as a society. "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord". The people, however, have chosen not to listen. Were we still living in the Old West, there would be any number of innocent people strung up on light poles by a mad mob of people seeking to regain the lost power they never had. Instead, they are targeted, dragged through the mud (sometimes literally), and then discarded when another one is identified.

We as a species have to do what we can to remove that prehistoric animal from our souls. We have to push back that snarling beast when we feel it rising up. As a whole, we actually do a pretty good job of it. There are some not so evolved, or so in control, which is why we need police, courts, the military... However, we also need to repress that urge when we individually or collectively are victimized by the less civilized. Otherwise, we become them.

One of the 3 dead as a result of the Boston Marathon bombing was 8 year-old Martin Richard. He had a simple message for the world that we should all consider as we try to make sense of the senseless and try to find someone to blame:

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1089212/thumbs/o-MARTIN-RICHARD-BOSTON-MARATHON-BOMBINGS-VICTIM-570.jpg


Slow down, take a deep breath, and be absolutely certain that we have the right person or people. And then - let the courts do their job.
 

137 comments (Latest Comment: 04/19/2013 11:12:49 by TriSec)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 13:03:28
Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 13:06:45
Good morning.

Thank you, Bob.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 13:11:53
Morning

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 13:25:23
At this point, I almost hope the FBI doesn't release the video showing the alleged suspects. I REALLY don't the public in 2013 thinking they are part of the manhunt.

Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 13:26:31
Morning, comrades. As reported to my first-hand by my friend that works downtown....

Heavy military presence in Boston this morning. Armed soldiers on the streets looking for trouble.
Very odd and surreal.



Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 13:28:33
Quote by TriSec:
Morning, comrades. As reported to my first-hand by my friend that works downtown....

Heavy military presence in Boston this morning. Armed soldiers on the streets looking for trouble.
Very odd and surreal.

You think that has anything to do with the President coming to town?

I saw some serious heavy military vehicles yesterday behind Lawrence Odonnell last night


Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 13:31:35
The F*cking New York post -- they've all but marked two men by publishing a picture on it's front page today.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 13:34:22
Quote by Raine:
At this point, I almost hope the FBI doesn't release the video showing the alleged suspects. I REALLY don't the public in 2013 thinking they are part of the manhunt.



a 21st century lynch mob, I mean look what happened to that poor guy that was simply running away cause he was scared


Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 13:35:23
Quote by Raine:
You think that has anything to do with the President coming to town?

I saw some serious heavy military vehicles yesterday behind Lawrence Odonnell last night



Possibly, but the President wasn't headed downtown. Cathedral of the Holy Cross is on the other side of the city from there.



Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 13:36:24
Quote by Raine:
The F*cking New York post -- they've all but marked two men by publishing a picture on it's front page today.



don't know what the print version looks like but the online front page is anything but subtle

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 13:39:15
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Raine:
You think that has anything to do with the President coming to town?

I saw some serious heavy military vehicles yesterday behind Lawrence Odonnell last night



Possibly, but the President wasn't headed downtown. Cathedral of the Holy Cross is on the other side of the city from there.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was to visit other areas in the city.


Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:03:59
Just heard on the news that the President will be visiting first responders and families of the victims after the interfaith service today, I think that would explain the military presence in the city.

Especially considering they have not made an arrest yet. I remember seeing a lot of military after 9/11 in NYC and it was creepy.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 14:06:43


Every day Bernard Law gets to hide out in the Vatican, I care less and less about what a Catholic thinks when it comes to TEH GAYS or ICKY SEX or "killing babies".

Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 14:11:28
I think Commissioner Bele would have felt right at home at the LAPD.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/trojanrabbit74/Fark%20stuff/bele_and_lokai_star_trek.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:11:49
Quote by trojanrabbit:


Every day Bernard Law gets to hide out in the Vatican, I care less and less about what a Catholic thinks when it comes to TEH GAYS or ICKY SEX or "killing babies".



And his or her precious religious freedoms being infringed upon? Yeah, well shut the fuck up asshole.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:17:50
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:18:04
jebus h f*cking christ on a cross. I think we should hold Pamela Geller as an accomplice to something.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:20:17
Quote by Raine:
jebus h f*cking christ on a cross. I think we should hold Pamela Geller as an accomplice to something.


How about we...damn it, I had something for this that was really diabolical. Never mind, to awful even for someone as hateful as her.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 14:22:02
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day

Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 14:22:29
Grumble, grunt

Freakin' cheap chinese-made advertising coffee mug sprung a leak on me mid-sip. Good thing I'm wearing a black shirt today.

Razza-frazza-sonofaBITCH!



Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:29:42
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....


Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 14:29:44
Quote by Raine:
jebus h f*cking christ on a cross. I think we should hold Pamela Geller as an accomplice to something.



Well of course he was a Saudi - we can't have a white supremacist / militant blowing anything up on freakin' TAX DAY now, can we?


Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 14:31:57
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:34:29
Quote by wickedpam:
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL


^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 14:35:51
Quote by Raine:
jebus h f*cking christ on a cross. I think we should hold Pamela Geller as an accomplice to something.


Was she this unhinged when Bush let the bin Laden family out of the country after 9/11? Or when he was kissing a Saudi prince?

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:36:29
You know it is totally messed up when we are forcing people to show photo ID in order to VOTE and are begging for a damn background check to buy a fuggin gun.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 14:37:11
Quote by Raine:
You know it is totally messed up when we are forcing people to show photo ID in order to VOTE and are begging for a damn background check to buy a fuggin gun.



agreed

Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 14:37:41
Oh, I am REALLY trying to stay clear of all "news" today. I'll not believe anything until I see pictures.

It's not too hard to understand though, the quality of everything has declined because of the push for the bottom line, the media is no exception.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:45:05
Quote by Raine:
You know it is totally messed up when we are forcing people to show photo ID in order to VOTE and are begging for a damn background check to buy a fuggin gun.



I have to go through more of backround check complete with a database when I by pseudoepherine than I would to by a handgun in Florida.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:45:29
Quote by wickedpam:
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL



Then do it.

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:46:31
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:49:01
30 years ago today, our embassy in Beirut was bombed. :(



Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:49:35
We are having a pot luck at work, which I am declining to participate as I normally do. My cover story is am trying to stick to my diet plan and not over eat, but thanks for asking. My real reason is there several different types of potato salad, all made with mayo that have been sitting out at room temperature for going on almost 3 hours now. I already spent 3 days in the hospital this year, no I don't want food poisoning you fucking morons, put that shit on ice, god damnit!

Comment by Scoopster on 04/18/2013 14:50:58
Mornin' all! Back at the office today.. not 100% but feeling much better.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL

Then do it.

DONE.

Comment by Scoopster on 04/18/2013 14:52:15
I heartily encourage everyone to RT that.

Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 14:54:02
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all! Back at the office today.. not 100% but feeling much better.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL

Then do it.

DONE.



I already did it - but will be repeating often

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 14:54:58
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:57:07
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...







Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 14:57:45
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




He's gonna have Blue Christmas this year. Those FBI suckers all have suspicious minds.

Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 14:59:00
Memorial is starting - streaming live on the White House site.



Comment by wickedpam on 04/18/2013 14:59:52
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




He's gonna have Blue Christmas this year. Those FBI suckers all have suspicious minds.



He's not a Roustabout any more. Bet he's not gonna be Lonesome Tonight.


Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 15:01:12
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all! Back at the office today.. not 100% but feeling much better.
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
personally I would love to see Yurtle's twitter just filled with @McConnellPress SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME #GOPFAIL

Then do it.

DONE.



I already did it - but will be repeating often


I THINK I just did.....RT is new to me.

Comment by TriSec on 04/18/2013 15:01:42
"Interfaith". OK.

I see Catholic, Orthodox, some folks in suits....but nobody in traditional Jewish or Islamic garb present. (I may be mistaken, however.)


Comment by trojanrabbit on 04/18/2013 15:02:27
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...






It's such an easy question. Why can't I get an answer?

Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 15:16:32
Quote by TriSec:
"Interfaith". OK.

I see Catholic, Orthodox, some folks in suits....but nobody in traditional Jewish or Islamic garb present. (I may be mistaken, however.)
The service will also include Gov. Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and Cardinal Sean O’Malley as well as representatives of Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and Greek Orthodox faiths.
Link.




Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 15:18:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




He's gonna have Blue Christmas this year. Those FBI suckers all have suspicious minds.
eventually, they'll go Separate Ways


Comment by Raine on 04/18/2013 15:20:45
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




He's gonna have Blue Christmas this year. Those FBI suckers all have suspicious minds.



He's not a Roustabout any more. Bet he's not gonna be Lonesome Tonight.
he should have never used the U.S. Male...


Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 15:21:12
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The ricin guy seems to be a crazy white guy.



Elvis impersonating conspiracy theorist - you don't see one of those every day
Think of the headlines:

Jailhouse rock; Return to sender....



You are so wrong for that!


Dude lives in Tupelo and mailed that ish from Memphis?

After he's in jail:

Are you lonesome tonite...




He's gonna have Blue Christmas this year. Those FBI suckers all have suspicious minds.
eventually, they'll go Separate Ways



Is he gonna ride the Mystery Train to jail?

Comment by Mondobubba on 04/18/2013 15:24:07
I have no words for what happened in West, Texas. This is as bad as the Texas City explosion.