SOMETHING STINKS IN FERGUSON

Something stinks in Denmark as the saying goes. The same smell has engulfed Ferguson, Missouri. The odor is overwhelming.

There are so many disturbing incidents. The media has done an excellent job of reporting. Nevertheless, I wish to share my thoughts. Some may expose the undercurrents involved.

I am writing this column Saturday August 23. It will not be published till Wednesday August 27. In those few days, more may be revealed. Some purported facts may be determined to be falsehoods. Whatever, I can only write as matters exist today.

1.   The police failed to do their job from the beginning. Instead of pursuing the protesters, they should have directed their energies primarily against the looters. The looters and protesters were two different distinct groups. The looters were generally from outside the area and only concerned with stealing. They could have cared less about Brown's death. 

2.   The local prosecutor has failed grossly. There should have been an indictment within days. There was enough to present to a grand jury. A ten day delay has rightfully caused suspicion.

3.   There is a current in our country that has been developing for several years. The big guys, the Wall Streeters, have gotten away with stealing for several years. If the big guys can steal/loot, why can't the little guys? As the economy continues to fall apart for the 99 percent, the 99 percent are becoming more angry and frustrated. Expect more incidents of civil unrest elsewhere in the United States. There will be more and more reasons to protest and protests will occur.

4.   The military occupation of Ferguson is a preview of what is to come in other communities. Police will continue to use the military equipment they have been provided. Mentally, they are no longer police officers. They are soldiers.

5.   Police departments have received $4.3 billion worth of military equipment since 2006. In the last five years, Missouri has received from Homeland Security $69 million in equipment. Some of it had to be on the streets of Ferguson.

6.   The militarization of police has increased the size, power and use of SWAT teams. In 1980, there were 3,000 SWAT raids across the country. Now, 800,000 raids per year. Seventy nine per cent of the raids are into private homes. More than 100 American families are raided by SWAT teams every day. Ninety three percent of the raids do not involve a shooter, a hostage, or a barricade situation. Eighty percent of the raids take place in cities with populations of 25,000-50,000.

7.   The voice of the people is not heard in Washington or State capitals. Government for the people is waning. Corporate America and the mega wealthy control government. The little guy has next to no influence in what is happening. A majority of Americans are bypassed by government in the decision making process.

8.   Reporters and photographers being detained and arrested. In America! For shame! Ferguson is a perfect example of a local government not wanting the public to know what is going on.

9.   Ferguson's politicians are inept. The facts speak for themselves. From the Mayor to the Police Chief to most of the police officers themselves. Add bully to inept. The Governor is an idiot. He does not seem to have the brass testicles to do what should have been done. The prosecutor resembles a movie star. A pretty face. Nothing behind it  I do not care how many times the people have reelected him. He is definitely not playing fair in this matter.

10.  The following is funny and sad. The local Ferguson Congressman is William Lacy Clay. A Democrat. On 6/19/14, an amendment was on the House floor to limit the militarization of police. Clay voted against it. So did Pelosi and her hierarchy. Most Republicans also. The vote to defeat the amendment was overwhelming.

11.  The Police Chief waits 10-11 days following the incident to report the police officer involved had facial bruising and a fractured eye socket. I have to question the veracity. Even if the hospital records back the injuries up, I would like to know how and when he got them. Better a fractured eye socket than a murder indictment.

12.  No incident report for 10-11 days. Why not?  It is supposed to be prepared by the police officers involved immediately after the incident or within 24 hours. When the incident report was released, it said nothing. A couple of blanks filled in. No detail. Detail is the lifeline of an incident report.

13.  Last week Missouri State Senator Nasheed wanted to take into the public building housing the courts and records, a petition containing 70,000 names for the removal of the prosecutor. The Senator is a black woman. As she went to go under the yellow stripe posted to keep the public away, a spokesperson for the prosecutor tried to stop her. Nasheed is a gutsy woman. No way! She went storming through.

14.  The NRA benefits big time as a result of Ferguson. One of the cries of gun lovers is that it is necessary to keep weapons in the event the government requires confronting. Ferguson will be portrayed as that scenario.

Iraq has visited the streets of Ferguson.Where next? Key West, Syracuse, Topeka, San Diego?. Unfortunately, it is going to happen again. More racial incidents. More incidents provoked by use of military equipment.

Government cannot be depended upon to do whatever is necessary to make sure a Ferguson will nor reoccur. It will not.  It does not know how. It may not want to. All of the three would be my guess.