NFL - NEWS & NOTES

How you are handled during a search or investigation is what Bennett is talking about. Just because a police officer is scared or is nervous... well, that's how Ferguson MO situations occur. Plus, the authorities "roughed up" a prolific voice in the National Community in the cause of abuses by police. I'm completely and 100% on the side of the public (not the police) on this one. Michael Bennett is not as recognizable as Michael Jordan, so the process would be expected to take a little longer due the lack of facial recognition, but the police have ZERO right and no cause to draw their weapons on a suspect just for being a "large black man" that makes you nervous. You know else was a large black man and died in police custody for selling loose ciggies at 50 cents a pop, Eric Garner. This issue is no joke, especially to people of color. And to deny there is a problem here, well, that is just plain ol' racist. I know that the "R-word" is like the "N-word" for white people, but its true. "Nervous" cops with a firearm is a bad formula, hell, a 'nervous" ANYONE with a firearm is simply treacherous. I did see the cop with his weapon drawn point blank on Bennett while the officer had him face down. Bennett was not lying about that. What was said to him during the process was not shown. Trust me, if you are a large black man in the vicinity of a shooting, the police are gonna cuff you... tightly. How suspects (especially non-white suspects) are treated by the police is the issue at hand. The police must be policed as well. Otherwise, it's Los Angeles 1920s, I mean, 1930s, I mean 1960s, I mean 1990s, I mean it's Giuliani's Broken Windows Program... I'm sure you get the picture. I may be in the minority here, but I'm standing by Michael Bennett and his claims at this point.

 

I'm completely and 100% on the side of the public (not the police) on this one.

Unless you were there and know 100% of the facts....I'm confused how you come to this conclusion. Outside of the media and current events persuading you to.

 

Is Eric related to Fred... Rerun f

How you are handled during a search or investigation is what Bennett is talking about. Just because a police officer is scared or is nervous... well, that's how Ferguson MO situations occur. Plus, the authorities "roughed up" a prolific voice in the National Community in the cause of abuses by police. I'm completely and 100% on the side of the Bennett (not the police) on this one. Michael Bennett is not as recognizable as Michael Jordan, so the process would be expected to take a little longer due the lack of facial recognition, but the police have ZERO right and no cause to draw their weapons on a suspect just for being a "large black man" that makes you nervous. You know else was a large black man and died in police custody for selling loose ciggies at 50 cents a pop, Eric Garner. This issue is no joke, especially to people of color. And to deny there is a problem here, well, that is just plain ol' racist. I know that the "R-word" is like the "N-word" for white people, but its true. "Nervous" cops with a firearm is a bad formula, hell, a 'nervous" ANYONE with a firearm is simply treacherous. In the video, I did see the cop with his weapon drawn point blank at the back of Bennett's head while the officer had him face down. Bennett was not lying about that. What was said to him during the process was not shown. Trust me, if you are a large black man in the vicinity of a shooting, the police are gonna cuff you... tightly. How suspects (especially non-white suspects) are treated by the police is the issue at hand. The police must be policed as well. Otherwise, it's Los Angeles 1920s, I mean, 1930s, I mean 1960s, I mean 1990s, I mean it's Giuliani's Broken Windows Program... I'm sure you get the picture. With systematic or institutionalized racism in our national history and the current issues being what they are, its easy to see why Bennett was upset and very afraid for his life. I may be in the minority here, but I'm standing by Michael Bennett and his claims at this point.

 

but the police have ZERO right and no cause to draw their weapons on a suspect just for being a "large black man" that makes you nervous.

The police in this case had weapons drawn because it was an active shooter environment.

 

Frank, are you telling me that if you were a cop that was called to a scene involving an active shooter, you would enter that scene with your weapon in your holster?

 

With a report of an active shooter, yes, I expect the police to come in with weapons drawn. And I have no issue with detaining suspects for questioning. Imagine the tragedy if the officer with his weapon drawn twitched and blew Bennett's head off. With the suspect down and pinned, I might add, where is the necessity of a point blank weapon. He was lying prone and not resisting. I also understand that Bennett was AFRAID for his life. If I was a black man in the country, I'd be scared to death of the police. Shit, man, I'm white and cops still make me nervous.

 

Don't forget the blindfold, and straight jacket for Frank too.

 

Nervous they would find some "contriband" in your possesion?

 

Ok, slowly this time (borrowed from Lyman):
I A G R E E: police should respond to an active shooter incident with weapons ready and drawn.
I D I S A G R E E: police should maintain a drawn weapon (at point blank) on a suspect who is cooperating with instructions whilst being detained.

Look at this from the perspective of a person of color. If you're going to tell me that there is NO systematic racism here and knowing that, would not make you MORE afraid in that situation, then you just lack empathy or are a denier of social injustices.

 

B I N G O ! ! !

 

I agree with the way you wrote that. But, every report I have read states that he did NOT do that. He was instructed to come out from behind a slot machine and present himself. Instead, he chose to run and jump over a wall.

 

With a report of an active shooter, yes, I expect the police to come in with weapons drawn. And I have no issue with detaining suspects for questioning. Imagine the tragedy if the officer with his weapon drawn twitched and blew Bennett's head off. With the suspect down and pinned, I might add, where is the necessity of a point blank weapon. He was lying prone and not resisting. I also understand that Bennett was AFRAID for his life. If I was a black man in the country, I'd be scared to death of the police. Shit, man, I'm white and cops still make me nervous.

From the video's I've seen.....I have yet to see a gun being held point blank at Bennett's head. Nor have I heard the words "I'm gonna blow your brains out" as claimed by Bennett.

 

Here's a question....

If Bennett were white....but all the other details here remained the same as currently reported.....do you honestly think the police would have reacted differently?

I'm talking a 6'4 imposing man hiding behind a slot machine then running and jumping over a wall when spotted by police?

Do you think the police would say....."Hey, he's white....let him run"?

 

There have been far, far too many incidents involved police and minorities in this country that I severely question at the very least and some that I whole heartedly agree the police were in the wrong and something should be done about it. Too many incidents across the country that demand some kind of action is taken.

I just don't think this is one of those.

 

If nobody was hurt or killed, people should be applauding this incident as a success not speaking against it.

 

Are you denying systematic racism in the US? Look. I'm not trying to change your minds and you're not changing mine. We should move on.
I support Michael Bennett and his cause for social injustice. Period.

 

Too broad of a brush. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. I do agree with that.

 

Are you denying systematic racism in the US?

I'm seriously curious how anything I typed makes you think that is what I'm trying to say. I, in fact, basically said the exact opposite multiple times.

I don't believe this incident is evidence of the systematic racism.......and I find it funny you dodged by very direct question.

I support Michael Bennett and his cause for social injustice.

I fully support the cause he stands for and stood for before this incident happened. I will continue to support it now. I just am not buying his account of things at this moment in time.

 

Image of Bennett down with gun pointed at him:

 

It's been reported the weapon in that officers hand is actually a taser.