Looting in Missouri after cops shoot 18 year old (3 Viewers)

[Limp Ditka]

Brown's step father encouraging everyone to burn the city down, that's nice of him.

Has to face criminal charges, right?

 

[fantasycurse42]

if anyone knows what it's like to be a black man in America, it's TobiasFunke.

I wish I could like a post more than once...

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So successful black people are unable to talk for or represent black people? He wouldn't have any clue what young black men face because when he was growing up in Alabama it was like the Garden of Eden down there?

Your opinion is dangerous. And it is shared by too many people.

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Anyone can talk for or represent whomever they choose. And yes, he can speak with particular insight about growing up poor and black ... in the 1970s.

His opinion has value. All opinions have value. My problem is with people who give his opinion greater value simply because he's black and they like what he says, and then turn around and ignore the many, many, many people who are far closer to today's poor black communities than he is who offer a much different perspective.

You are doing the same thing in the opposite direction then. Because it is the voice of successful black people and real black leaders that should be heard and shouted from the mountaintops to the younger black men in that community. Al Sharpton is not a leader. He's a parasite. And he sucks the life out of a community just like a parasite. Yet they let him do it because there is a void of leaders, a void of fathers and a void of men to lead these kids. And as soon as one of those men gets successful he is a sell out and his voice should be lessened, downplayed or ignored because "what does he know?"

 

[whiskey7]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

Spot on. To use this particular case to hang the hat of racial profiling, police brutality and the excessive use of deadly force might be one of the dumbest things in the history of the entire Civil Rights movement.

It's dumbfounding.

It's dumbfounding that people continue to think that what people are mad about is the guilt or innocence of Darren Wilson.

There's a reason this incident has received the attention it has from the civil rights community, and it's not about what happened in those 90 seconds. It's about what happened in months since then. Stuff like this and this and this.

All you keep hearing on the stupid box is justice was not served.

Forget intelligent discussion on what went on after....that is not news and of no bearing to 95% of the protesters and 100% of the looters.

I am commenting on the views of using this case as a basis for excessive force and police brutality. This officer should not have been indicated. He acted within the scope of his duty as a police officer and use of deadly force based on all the evidence gathered and eye witness accounts with corroborated with his account of what led to the shooting.

Virtually every single thing I've read about the protests says otherwise.

The Brown shooting is a lynchpin. People don't think justice was served because they don't trust the system. They don't trust the system because of the behavior of the police starting from the moment Brown's body dropped (and they left it rotting in the street for hours), and probably in the years preceding the shooting as well.

That's why this has become such a high-profile case, in my opinion at least. As you noted, this isn't exactly a model case for the civil rights movement if you look only at the facts of the incident. You asked why people are "hanging their hats" on Ferguson given the facts surrounding the incident itself. I think that's why. If you've got a better explanation, I'm happy to discuss it.

Reportedly due in large part to unruliness (on the part of bystanders) at the scene which created an unsafe atmosphere for the ME to work.

Had they moved swiftly and got the body out of there, I have no doubt people would now be questioning 'why the rush?' and implicating a cover-up. The angry were going to be angry either way.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

I dunno. All I know is that I'd give greater value to the opinions of people who live in, or do extensive work with, poor black communities than I give to the opinion of Charles Barkley. YMMV.

 

[HellToupee]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

Listen up you sob & listen good , leave Mitt out of this

 

[Limp Ditka]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

I dunno. All I know is that I'd give greater value to the opinions of people who live in, or do extensive work with, poor black communities than I give to the opinion of Charles Barkley. YMMV.

So Al and Jesse?

 

[GrandpaRox]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

Unlike you, union man.

 

[Sabertooth]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

I dunno. All I know is that I'd give greater value to the opinions of people who live in, or do extensive work with, poor black communities than I give to the opinion of Charles Barkley. YMMV.

Like this guy? http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/AP_FERGUSON8_140811_DG_16x9_992.jpg

 

[Sinn Fein]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

Listen up you sob & listen good , leave Mitt out of this

Exactly - he's Mexican, not black.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

I dunno. All I know is that I'd give greater value to the opinions of people who live in, or do extensive work with, poor black communities than I give to the opinion of Charles Barkley. YMMV.

Someone who came from a poor black family and is now wildly successful on his own merit (not a worthless race baiting POS like Al) isn't a good leader / role model?

 

[Ditka Butkus]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So who do you suggest we get to help out the poor black communities if not for someone like Charles Barkley? Maybe a Mitt Romney?

I dunno. All I know is that I'd give greater value to the opinions of people who live in, or do extensive work with, poor black communities than I give to the opinion of Charles Barkley. YMMV.

Someone who came from a poor black family and is now wildly successful on his own merit (not a worthless race baiting POS like Al) isn't a good leader / role model?

Apparently they have to live in the poor community as of right now to have worth.

 

[SIDA!]

Report: Body Found Shot to Death, Set Fire Near Apartment Complex Where Michael Brown Died

FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS St. Louis/AP) The body of a black male was reportedly found near Canfield Green Apartments in Ferguson, the same complex where Michael Brown was fatally shot by officer Darren Wilson during an altercation Aug. 9.

KTVI-TV reports that the man, in his 20s, was shot to death and set on fire. KMOX has sent a reporter to the scene.

The St. Louis County Police Department released the following statement:

The St. Louis County Police Department is on the 9400 block of Glenn Owen in Ferguson, MO, near the intersection of Windwood and Glenn Owen.

At approximately 9 a.m. today, a citizen reported that an unresponsive man was inside a parked vehicle at that location. Responding officers discovered a deceased male inside the vehicle.

No information on the identity of the man or additional information about the man, ownership of the car or circumstances leading up to the discovery.

Detectives from the St. Louis County Crimes Against Persons are enroute to conduct the investigation.

This incident is currently being classified as a suspicious death and will remain so until evidence allows a different classification. No further information at this time.

The discovery of the body comes after a night of violent protests where gunshots rang out and dozens of buildings were set on fire and looted in the Ferguson area. More than 80 people were arrested in Ferguson and St. Louis after a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson in Browns death.

Hospitals report having treated at least 14 people who were injured during the unrest.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis says it admitted two injured people and treated and released five others. It didnt disclose the nature of the injuries.

Christian Hospital, near Ferguson, says it treated six people for minor injuries, and Saint Louis University Hospital says it treated one person.

Many Ferguson-area districts cancelled classes out of concern about the safety of getting children to and from school.

Odds on the following:

Witness who changed his story being punished by the mob

Bystander hit by random gunfire

Witness who sided with Wilson

Intentionally killed for something else that happened before because the killer could get away with it in the commotion

Robbery homicide

Any others?

Tried to protect his store with a few budies.....

I figured that was robbery homicide. But we can differentiate.

Yeah but your sentence is all serious and mine is a joke about a poster here who think's he is Rambo and his buddies are the Dirty Dozen who drink Chuck Norris' pee.

I realize that many American men such as yourself have been effectively neutered and trained to believe that the state will protect you. Good for you. I am sure you are the type of guy who would allow himself to get ####ed in the ### and then look in the mirror and praise yourself for being so strong. Such a survivor you are.

However, there is still a contingent of American men who will not stand by and allow parasites to strip them of their life's work. This country is pretty far down the path of ####ification, but it isn't that far down.

I believe you are an attorney and I am sure you make a good living. Probably drive a nice car and live in a nice home that is far removed from anything or any place where you might experience civil unrest. You do not need an actual office to survive and continue to make a living. Pretty easy for some folks to relocate/rebuild, etc. So, i get that for you there is a disconnect that you and others suffer from. You can mask it with jokes and mockery. It really don't matter.

It doesn't take a mythical superhero character or action hero to defend his business. A couple of pops and a couple of bodies and the mob induced bravado dissipates real quick. Kind of like water and the path of least resistance. Try to vandalize my store and die or move on down the street and torch the auto dealership while the cops in riot gear stand and watch.

The whole dynamic changed in Los Angeles when the Korean business owners manned up and brought a little firepower to the party. Do you recall any businesses protected by armed owners getting torched? Do you remember any armed owners getting shot and killed by looters? There were 53 homicides/murders attributed to the Rodney King riots. Not one of the victims to my knowledge consisted of an armed business owner defending his store.

Of those 53 homicides about two dozen remain unsolved.

 

[kentric]

He was presenting the evidence bc the people wanted it. He was doing all he could to calm the crowd, kinda the point of his 30 minute monologue. Obviously there was nothing he could say that would've been effective.... If he didn't you amongst others would be in here bashing him for that and saying this whole process has been cloaked.

Stop pretending you know what I think or what I would say in response to this or that. TIA.

What would you have said if he just came up and said "no indictment, have a nice day"???

We have already established that a 300 pounder doesn't have a physical advantage over a 200 pounder in this post here, enlighten me...

I would have probably criticized that too. His mistake was "pursuing" an indictment he had zero interest in obtaining in the first place. He should not have charged Wilson IMO. If I was in his place I would not have charged him, and I would have tried to negotiate various other initiatives to avoid similar situations in the future- dashboard cameras, advising the state legislature to revisit the lax standards for use of deadly force by police officers, etc.- and then announced that at the same time as my announcement of the decision.

Instead he used the grand jury process as political cover, turning what's usually a rubber stamp process (stats explanation on reddit I liked) into what was basically a trial, so people would be mad at "the system" instead of at him for not trying Wilson. It was an understandable move I guess, but kind of chicken####.

Can you imagine the uproar which would have followed the Prosecutor saying we will not charge Wilson? He was being lambasted as a friend of the cops. If he made a unilateral decision the anger would have been 10 fold. He had to go Grand Jury.

I think it would have been about the same, and there were measures that could be taken to alleviate it. Of course there were also measures he could have taken to alleviate it last night, too. Instead he chose to go on a lengthy rant where he alternated between sounding like an 80 year old man complaining about the internet and an angry message board conservative defending Darren Wilson at every turn. Neither is a good look for someone who is supposed to represent the public in a legal matter against someone charged with a crime.

The Prosecutor absolutely had to take this away from a uniltateral decision. He was being assaulted by local leaders as well as at least one member of the State Congress. If he didn't bring in the grand jury there would have been even greater pandemonium than there was. Not sure how that can be disputed.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So successful black people are unable to talk for or represent black people? He wouldn't have any clue what young black men face because when he was growing up in Alabama it was like the Garden of Eden down there?

Your opinion is dangerous. And it is shared by too many people.

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Anyone can talk for or represent whomever they choose. And yes, he can speak with particular insight about growing up poor and black ... in the 1970s.

His opinion has value. All opinions have value. My problem is with people who give his opinion greater value simply because he's black and they like what he says, and then turn around and ignore the many, many, many people who are far closer to today's poor black communities than he is who offer a much different perspective.

You are doing the same thing in the opposite direction then. Because it is the voice of successful black people and real black leaders that should be heard and shouted from the mountaintops to the younger black men in that community. Al Sharpton is not a leader. He's a parasite. And he sucks the life out of a community just like a parasite. Yet they let him do it because there is a void of leaders, a void of fathers and a void of men to lead these kids. And as soon as one of those men gets successful he is a sell out and his voice should be lessened, downplayed or ignored because "what does he know?"

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't bother to graduate from college despite being given a scholarship. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

 

[GrandpaRox]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So successful black people are unable to talk for or represent black people? He wouldn't have any clue what young black men face because when he was growing up in Alabama it was like the Garden of Eden down there?

Your opinion is dangerous. And it is shared by too many people.

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Anyone can talk for or represent whomever they choose. And yes, he can speak with particular insight about growing up poor and black ... in the 1970s.

His opinion has value. All opinions have value. My problem is with people who give his opinion greater value simply because he's black and they like what he says, and then turn around and ignore the many, many, many people who are far closer to today's poor black communities than he is who offer a much different perspective.

No YOUR problem is Barkley does not fit into your "Black" box. Racist.

 

[jon_mx]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So successful black people are unable to talk for or represent black people? He wouldn't have any clue what young black men face because when he was growing up in Alabama it was like the Garden of Eden down there?

Your opinion is dangerous. And it is shared by too many people.

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Anyone can talk for or represent whomever they choose. And yes, he can speak with particular insight about growing up poor and black ... in the 1970s.

His opinion has value. All opinions have value. My problem is with people who give his opinion greater value simply because he's black and they like what he says, and then turn around and ignore the many, many, many people who are far closer to today's poor black communities than he is who offer a much different perspective.

You are doing the same thing in the opposite direction then. Because it is the voice of successful black people and real black leaders that should be heard and shouted from the mountaintops to the younger black men in that community. Al Sharpton is not a leader. He's a parasite. And he sucks the life out of a community just like a parasite. Yet they let him do it because there is a void of leaders, a void of fathers and a void of men to lead these kids. And as soon as one of those men gets successful he is a sell out and his voice should be lessened, downplayed or ignored because "what does he know?"

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

 

[Black Box]

No YOUR problem is Barkley does not fit into your "Black" box. Racist.

Hey now.

 

[GrandpaRox]

Best article yet on Ferguson.

They and you forgot the part where the cop was getting punched in the face while sitting in his car. In addition to being KooK you are a MoroN.

 

[jon_mx]

Wait, Tobias had a black box?

 

[UniAlias]

I realize that many American men such as yourself have been effectively neutered and trained to believe that the state will protect you. Good for you. I am sure you are the type of guy who would allow himself to get ####ed in the ### and then look in the mirror and praise yourself for being so strong. Such a survivor you are.

However, there is still a contingent of American men who will not stand by and allow parasites to strip them of their life's work. This country is pretty far down the path of ####ification, but it isn't that far down.

I believe you are an attorney and I am sure you make a good living. Probably drive a nice car and live in a nice home that is far removed from anything or any place where you might experience civil unrest. You do not need an actual office to survive and continue to make a living. Pretty easy for some folks to relocate/rebuild, etc. So, i get that for you there is a disconnect that you and others suffer from. You can mask it with jokes and mockery. It really don't matter.

It doesn't take a mythical superhero character or action hero to defend his business. A couple of pops and a couple of bodies and the mob induced bravado dissipates real quick. Kind of like water and the path of least resistance. Try to vandalize my store and die or move on down the street and torch the auto dealership while the cops in riot gear stand and watch.

The whole dynamic changed in Los Angeles when the Korean business owners manned up and brought a little firepower to the party. Do you recall any businesses protected by armed owners getting torched? Do you remember any armed owners getting shot and killed by looters? There were 53 homicides/murders attributed to the Rodney King riots. Not one of the victims to my knowledge consisted of an armed business owner defending his store.

Of those 53 homicides about two dozen remain unsolved.

Gotta be Robbie Cooper, right?

 

[Limp Ditka]

No YOUR problem is Barkley does not fit into your "Black" box. Racist.

Hey now.

 

[GrandpaRox]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

How about the shtick, the "old white liberal who makes himself feel better by blaming white people regardless of facts and thinks he knows how black people are suppose to think" guy. Is Charles not black enough for you?

Neither is Mia Love, Tim Scott, Will Hurd, Michael Steele, Lenny McAllister, Amy Holmes or Colin Powell.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

yes, shtick. The "old black conservative who blames black people for racism so white conservatives will make you their hero and ignore the thousands of other more informed people who understand the complexity of the issues" guy. I love Chuck, but it's pure shtick. He's a 51 year old multimillionaire celebrity who travels from the TNT studios to golf tournaments to basketball games in limos and private jets. He knows less about the problems facing poor black communities than the vast majority of the US population.

So successful black people are unable to talk for or represent black people? He wouldn't have any clue what young black men face because when he was growing up in Alabama it was like the Garden of Eden down there?

Your opinion is dangerous. And it is shared by too many people.

Of course that's not what I'm saying. Anyone can talk for or represent whomever they choose. And yes, he can speak with particular insight about growing up poor and black ... in the 1970s.

His opinion has value. All opinions have value. My problem is with people who give his opinion greater value simply because he's black and they like what he says, and then turn around and ignore the many, many, many people who are far closer to today's poor black communities than he is who offer a much different perspective.

You are doing the same thing in the opposite direction then. Because it is the voice of successful black people and real black leaders that should be heard and shouted from the mountaintops to the younger black men in that community. Al Sharpton is not a leader. He's a parasite. And he sucks the life out of a community just like a parasite. Yet they let him do it because there is a void of leaders, a void of fathers and a void of men to lead these kids. And as soon as one of those men gets successful he is a sell out and his voice should be lessened, downplayed or ignored because "what does he know?"

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

I don't care about Charles Barkely. I can't stand the meme that successful black men can't be a voice for black men. It's ridiculous.

The real problem at the end of the day is really a lack of men in the black community. I have no idea how to attack that problem but that is the problem that is the basis for everything after that. Fathers, husbands and grown up men need to be in that community. Without them this will never be a problem that goes away.

Anecdote time: I remember an incident when I was a kid. No idea how old but it was before high school. While my grandfather was still alive. I was outside of his house playing and a car drove down the street and being the stupid kid that I was I gave the person the finger. Couldn't tell you why. Well it turned out that the person in the car was a close friend of my grandfather. So to this day I remember my grandfather telling me to sit down in the kitchen a few days later after he was told what happened, and in the kitchen was him, my father and 2 of my father's brothers. We were in that kitchen for what seemed like forever. You know what I never did again? Disrespect someone like that again. You know who I admire the most in my life and want to see again in heaven just so he can tell me I did good? My grandfather.

Boys need fathers, and teenagers and 20somethings that don't have them don't get to grow into the men they should be without those fathers. You want to really do something for the black community. Stop attacking the criminal justice system when a criminal gets shot and make sure that criminal never becomes one in the first place. Because successful black men shouldn't be the exception or the punchline.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

 

[Hilts]

Charles Barkley keeping it real on Philly radio right now.

"We can't just pick and choose events that go against us, if it weren't for police our neighborhoods would be the Wild Wild West."

And calling out black people that wear their jeans around their asses acting like thugs who say educated black people aren't keeping it real and not being black enough.

This used to be Cosby's schtick

schtick? we need more of this......without the future rape allegations

I don't understand this mindset. If a black man says something we agreed with going in, (Cosby, Barkley), they're right on, and we need more of it. Yet if a black man tries arguing institutionalized racism, we get to ignore them and say they need to take more personal responsibility?

 

[GrandpaRox]

No YOUR problem is Barkley does not fit into your "Black" box. Racist.

Hey now.

NTTAWWT

 

[TobiasFunke]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

I don't care about Charles Barkely. I can't stand the meme that successful black men can't be a voice for black men. It's ridiculous.

The real problem at the end of the day is really a lack of men in the black community. I have no idea how to attack that problem but that is the problem that is the basis for everything after that. Fathers, husbands and grown up men need to be in that community. Without them this will never be a problem that goes away.

Anecdote time: I remember an incident when I was a kid. No idea how old but it was before high school. While my grandfather was still alive. I was outside of his house playing and a car drove down the street and being the stupid kid that I was I gave the person the finger. Couldn't tell you why. Well it turned out that the person in the car was a close friend of my grandfather. So to this day I remember my grandfather telling me to sit down in the kitchen a few days later after he was told what happened, and in the kitchen was him, my father and 2 of my father's brothers. We were in that kitchen for what seemed like forever. You know what I never did again? Disrespect someone like that again. You know who I admire the most in my life and want to see again in heaven just so he can tell me I did good? My grandfather.

Boys need fathers, and teenagers and 20somethings that don't have them don't get to grow into the men they should be without those fathers. You want to really do something for the black community. Stop attacking the criminal justice system when a criminal gets shot and make sure that criminal never becomes one in the first place. Because successful black men shouldn't be the exception or the punchline.

Although my experiences seem to differ with yours as far as the way the black community views successful black men, I get what you're saying, and I'm obviously not saying that "successful black men can't be a voice for black men." I'm not even familiar with that as a meme. My issue was with giving too much value to this particular voice, which I don't consider a valuable one for the many reasons I've already given, and with people claiming that voice represents some unassailable truth despite the many more insightful voices who disagree.

Appreciate the thoughtful responses, as always.

 

[jon_mx]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

 

[kentric]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

His actions do have a bearing on how much of a potential figurehead he should be. Someone who breaks the law or treats people poorly should not be viewed as a role model for others.

 

[Fennis]

Best article yet on Ferguson.

They and you forgot the part where the cop was getting punched in the face while sitting in his car. In addition to being KooK you are a MoroN.

I am a fan of people arguing with an Onion article

 

[TobiasFunke]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

No, but it has some bearing on whether he should be viewed as a role model whose opinion on what's ailing the black community should be given particular weight because of his wealth and success- especially if he's lecturing on accountability. My point was that he's successful despite many of his life choices as much as he's successful because of them.

 

[jon_mx]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

His actions do have a bearing on how much of a potential figurehead he should be. Someone who breaks the law or treats people poorly should not be viewed as a role model for others.

Being a good role model has nothing to do with making a good point.

 

[Widbil83]

Brown's step father encouraging everyone to burn the city down, that's nice of him.

Why isn't this thug in jail right now?

 

[timschochet]

Don't know what's more amusing: SIDA's continual tough guy posts, or GrandpaRox agreeing with any black guy who's willing to say "it's all our own fault".

 

[Sinn Fein]

Or my favorite

New Budweiser Ad?

 

[SIDA!]

Somebody put video of poor Bassem getting his phone stolen on YouTube. ROTFLMAO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWkTAqmJUwc#t=161

 

[jon_mx]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

No, but it has some bearing on whether he should be viewed as a role model whose opinion on what's ailing the black community should be given particular weight because of his wealth and success- especially if he's lecturing on accountability. My point was that he's successful despite many of his life choices as much as he's successful because of them.

Bill Clinton is a lousy role model, but he is effective at making good points.

 

[jon_mx]

Don't know what's more amusing: SIDA's continual tough guy posts, or GrandpaRox agreeing with any black guy who's willing to say "it's all our own fault".

Don't fret Tom. You are still the most unintentionally amusing poster here.

 

[Sweet J]

Really enjoy when two smart and insightful posters with wildly divergent views on a subject get into a heated but respectful debate. It's what brings me back to this board. No shtick.

 

[kentric]

Somebody put video of poor Bassem getting his phone stolen on YouTube. ROTFLMAO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWkTAqmJUwc#t=161

I'm going to posting 24/7 unless I am thrown in jail - or have your phone swiped.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

No, but it has some bearing on whether he should be viewed as a role model whose opinion on what's ailing the black community should be given particular weight because of his wealth and success- especially if he's lecturing on accountability. My point was that he's successful despite many of his life choices as much as he's successful because of them.

Bill Clinton is a lousy role model, but he is effective at making good points.

I think it depends what you're talking about. If you tell people that they should live their lives differently, you should have some sort of solid moral footing. Otherwise why should your opinion carry any weight? If he makes a good point on something like interest rates or US policy in Eastern Europe or some other random subject, that good point isn't invalidated by the fact that he's a terrible human being. But if he's telling people how to be more respectful human beings and better members of society? Nobody should give him an ounce of respect on those subjects.

 

[GrandpaRox]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

His actions do have a bearing on how much of a potential figurehead he should be. Someone who breaks the law or treats people poorly should not be viewed as a role model for others.

Them someone like Obama is out then?

 

[kentric]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

His actions do have a bearing on how much of a potential figurehead he should be. Someone who breaks the law or treats people poorly should not be viewed as a role model for others.

Being a good role model has nothing to do with making a good point.

Whether its a good point or not, the perception of that person has a major bearing on whether that point is given any credence.

Bill Cosby making a valid point on date rape will only go so far.

 

[timschochet]

Don't know what's more amusing: SIDA's continual tough guy posts, or GrandpaRox agreeing with any black guy who's willing to say "it's all our own fault".

Don't fret Tom. You are still the most unintentionally amusing poster here.

Got a bone to pick with you. Earlier you accused me of focusing on a few signs at a Tea Party rally and making some generalization out of that. I've never done anything like that. In fact I've spent a lot of time defending the Tea Party from accusations of racism. You read my posts a lot, so you should know better.

 

[kentric]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

His actions do have a bearing on how much of a potential figurehead he should be. Someone who breaks the law or treats people poorly should not be viewed as a role model for others.

Them someone like Obama is out then?

Please be more specific. Obama who?

 

[SIDA!]

Somebody put video of poor Bassem getting his phone stolen on YouTube. ROTFLMAO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWkTAqmJUwc#t=161

I'm going to posting 24/7 unless I am thrown in jail - or have your phone swiped.

ROTFLMAO

 

[jon_mx]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

No, but it has some bearing on whether he should be viewed as a role model whose opinion on what's ailing the black community should be given particular weight because of his wealth and success- especially if he's lecturing on accountability. My point was that he's successful despite many of his life choices as much as he's successful because of them.

Bill Clinton is a lousy role model, but he is effective at making good points.

I think it depends what you're talking about. If you tell people that they should live their lives differently, you should have some sort of solid moral footing. Otherwise why should your opinion carry any weight? If he makes a good point on something like interest rates or US policy in Eastern Europe or some other random subject, that good point isn't invalidated by the fact that he's a terrible human being. But if he's telling people how to be more respectful human beings and better members of society? Nobody should give him an ounce of respect on those subjects.

I am waiting for his book on how to score more tail.

 

[lod01]

Best article yet on Ferguson.

Excellent article. Yep. This thug was attacking the officer and he's now dead. Got no problem with that at all. That is what I expect out of my police force. They keep me safe.

 

[Billy Bats]

I agree on Sharpton, but I strongly disagree on Barkley. He's successful because he was really good at basketball and now he's good at being funny and controversial on TV. He's also a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $400,000 debt, has a DUI conviction, and didn't graduate from college. I don't see him as someone whose voice should be given particular weight (no pun intended), because that doesn't seem to me like a life path that is easy to duplicate or that lends him any particular insight. As I said, YMMV. And I love Chuck- he's awesome. But I just don't see it.

And yet Charles makes 10,000% more sense than Tobias.

To be fair, for all you know I could be a compulsive gambler who once welched on a $500,000 debt, has multiple DUI convictions, and didn't graduate from high school.

Or you could have a degree from Harvard. But it would not make some of your dumb posts here any better. Charles gambling has no bearing on what he said.

No, but it has some bearing on whether he should be viewed as a role model whose opinion on what's ailing the black community should be given particular weight because of his wealth and success- especially if he's lecturing on accountability. My point was that he's successful despite many of his life choices as much as he's successful because of them.

Bill Clinton is a lousy role model, but he is effective at making good points.

I think it depends what you're talking about. If you tell people that they should live their lives differently, you should have some sort of solid moral footing. Otherwise why should your opinion carry any weight? If he makes a good point on something like interest rates or US policy in Eastern Europe or some other random subject, that good point isn't invalidated by the fact that he's a terrible human being. But if he's telling people how to be more respectful human beings and better members of society? Nobody should give him an ounce of respect on those subjects.

What's wrong with his points to pull up your pants and stop being a thug, it's ok to be smart and successful, and stop telling other black folks that they're not black enough? Other than a male role model inside the community, again I'll ask you who would be a better person to send that message other than an African American male that has the outlets and resources to spread that message?