NationStates

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:13 am**

Big Jim P wrote:
Neutraligon wrote:Non-lethal is always preferable. I can understand a police presence, But I wish they would focus on the looters.

Very true.

Why is it I am so scared that we seem to agree?

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:13 am**

Neutraligon wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
The protests I understand and support. The rioting and looting were uncalled for and counter-productive.

Oh I agree, but it still points to a problem. Rioting should never happen. It isn't an answer, makes people question the side the rioters are supporting, and in general only causes harm.

From what I understand, not many (or none) of the people arrested for the actual riots and looting a themselves are even from Ferguson; so those guys are just opportunists taking advantage if the situation .

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:14 am**

Neutraligon wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
Very true.

Why is it I am so scared that we seem to agree?

Many are. I am thinking because few expect me to be reasonable for some reason.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:14 am**

Big Jim P wrote:
Scomagia wrote:Still, using chemical weapons to solve the rioting is just disgusting.

At least they are using non-lethal chemical weapons.

No they're not. Tear gas is not non-lethal.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:15 am**

United Marxist Nations wrote:
Neutraligon wrote:
Oh I agree, but it still points to a problem. Rioting should never happen. It isn't an answer, makes people question the side the rioters are supporting, and in general only causes harm.

From what I understand, not many (or none) of the people arrested for the actual riots and looting a themselves are even from Ferguson; so those guys are just opportunists taking advantage if the situation .

I haven't paid attention to who the looters are, if they really are out-of-towners they are grater assholes then I thought. I mean, it seems pretty silly to me to mess up the town you live in, but to take advantage of the problems in Ferguson, that's just makes them sick.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:15 am**

Scomagia wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
At least they are using non-lethal chemical weapons.

No they're not. Tear gas is not non-lethal.

Having gone through the Armys basic training, including the gas chamber, I can assure you it is not lethal.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:16 am**

Big Jim P wrote:
Neutraligon wrote:
Why is it I am so scared that we seem to agree?

Many are. I am thinking because few expect me to be reasonable for some reason.

It's the profile picture, got to be. Maybe if you stick horns on it...

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:16 am**

Neutraligon wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
Many are. I am thinking because few expect me to be reasonable for some reason.

It's the profile picture, got to be. Maybe if you stick horns on it...

I will remember this suggestion. :twisted:

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:16 am**

Big Jim P wrote:
Scomagia wrote:No they're not. Tear gas is not non-lethal.

Having gone through the Armys basic training, including the gas chamber, I can assure you it is not lethal.

The term you're looking for is less lethal. Even so, it's fucking ridiculous that the police can use weapons on civilians that can't be used against enemies in wartime.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:17 am**

Scomagia wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
Having gone through the Armys basic training, including the gas chamber, I can assure you it is not lethal.

The term you're looking for is less lethal.

Anything in sufficient concentration is lethal.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:18 am**

Scomagia wrote:
Big Jim P wrote:
Having gone through the Armys basic training, including the gas chamber, I can assure you it is not lethal.

The term you're looking for is less lethal. Even so, it's fucking ridiculous that the police can use weapons on civilians that can't be used against enemies in wartime.

Do you know why they don't allow it in wartime?

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:21 am**

Does anyone here have an issue with the cops using military equipment?

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:21 am**

Big Jim P wrote:
Scomagia wrote:The term you're looking for is less lethal.

Anything in sufficient concentration is lethal.

Let's not pretend like teargas can't kill, even in riot control quantities. There are diseases that make breathing in teargas much more likely to kill you and they are not terribly uncommon.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:21 am**

Neutraligon wrote:Does anyone here have an issue with the cops using military equipment?

*Raises hand*

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:24 am**

I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:24 am**

Neutraligon wrote:Does anyone here have an issue with the cops using military equipment?

Given they don't seem capable of using them responsibly....

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:25 am**

Compromise time.

The police in that area should be sent to help battle ISIL in Iraq. The police get to prove how tough they are at playing soldier with their new gear, and Iraq gets ground support against the Islamic State.

Win-win?

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:27 am**

Allanea wrote:I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

The question is which causes which. Does having the capability of using these weapons make them more likely to use violence?

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:29 am**

Allanea wrote:I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

One would think giving military equipment to unproperly trained policemen is going to cause that extra power to go to their head.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:32 am**

Neutraligon wrote:
Allanea wrote:I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

The question is which causes which. Does having the capability of using these weapons make them more likely to use violence?

We've seen lots of unreasonable police brutality incidents over the past two decades that involved "regular" police weaponry like pistols, tazers, and batons.

The main problem is that a lot of people seem to cheer for police violence in America.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:34 am**

Mavorpen wrote:
Allanea wrote:I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

One would think giving military equipment to unproperly trained policemen is going to cause that extra power to go to their head.

Agreed. Should be in the hands of more seasoned, professional officers.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:34 am**

Neutraligon wrote:Does anyone here have an issue with the cops using military equipment?

I certainly do.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:35 am**

Mavorpen wrote:
Allanea wrote:I think that is a red herring.

The problem is not the specific equipment that police use, but that police seem to be ever-more ready to use violence.

One would think giving military equipment to unproperly trained policemen is going to cause that extra power to go to their head.

I don't know, either could create or exasperate the problem.

Allanea wrote:
Neutraligon wrote:
The question is which causes which. Does having the capability of using these weapons make them more likely to use violence?

We've seen lots of unreasonable police brutality incidents over the past two decades that involved "regular" police weaponry like pistols, tazers, and batons.

The main problem is that a lot of people seem to cheer for police violence in America.

Hmm, The police have a lot of power in some ways. People tend to be divided between putting them on pedestals, and not trusting them at all.
If we are going to give them the equipment at least we should ensure they know how to use it properly, especially how to use it properly in a civilian setting.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:41 am**

Mallorea and Riva wrote:
Calisu wrote:So you're just practising for murder?

This right here is flamebait. I understand that this is an emotional topic but refrain from baiting other players. You appear to be new so I'll let you off with an unofficial warning, I suggest you take some time to cool off and read the site rules.

On second thought, take a *** Warning for flamebait ***. Your history is not nearly as clean as it looks at first glance.

Posted: **Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:41 am**

Mallorea and Riva wrote:
Calisu wrote:So you're just practising for murder?

This right here is flamebait. I understand that this is an emotional topic but refrain from baiting other players. You appear to be new so I'll let you off with an unofficial warning, I suggest you take some time to cool off and read the site rules.

You're right. I forgot all the houses guns built and diseases cured. I was focusing solely on the fact they exist to kill.

NationStates

Riots in St. Louis after Police kill Teen