Rose Mary Christian plans march in support of police officers to counter Ferguson protests

Huge thumbs up for the Councilwoman!

Can't we just keep the tension away from our city?

Wow. I am normally a supporter of Councilwoman Christian, but I actually find it outrageous that any elected official would intentionally pull the scab off of this particular wound right now. Why invite that sort of rancor? I happen to be a big fan of our local police, here in Batavia, and I've had nothing but excellent experiences with them.

I also, however, stand with the *peaceful* protesters in Ferguson (the vast majority of the protesters there have NOT been violent). America has a problem. To suggest that this has nothing to do with race seems utterly tone-deaf to me. Whatever your feelings are about the events in Ferguson, there is now a young man who is dead -- a young man who was somebody's son. That is nothing to make light of, and it is certainly nothing to celebrate or to rally around.

When Blacks start caring about the thousands of Blacks killed by Blacks, let me know. Till then, leave me and my town out of this crap.

America's problem is a culture of violence that persists in many black communities. Its a far bigger problem than one cop defending himself from a Thug.

"'It's not about race, number one,' Christian said."

What utter unmitigated nonsense. It's shocking that anyone can be so divorced from reality and yet hold elective office, or maintain it. It's all about race. I fully support the police and the rule of law, but the unequal application of police power and protections, as well as the unequal application of the rule of law, is the better part of tyranny.

I stand with the peaceful protesters, holding their hands up, all across the country.

Peter - man up and use the word "nigger" when you mean it. Don't be all weasely and use the current code-word.

Oh, and you forgot the adjective "uppity"...

Good job arguing the issue. When you can't argue the facts, take your opponent down with Ad hominem attacks. Good strategy when arguing against an idiot.

Unfortunately for you, I am not an idiot.

Why is Michael Brown being martyred? Answer: Narrative. It fits the argument the media wants to make.

The facts of the incident are that Brown's DNA was found in the car. Witness reports had him charging at the cop like a linebacker.

Fact: 93% of Black Murders are committed by Blacks!
http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/htus8008.pdf

Again, one officer, where evidence provides more than a reasonable doubt, defending himself against a thug who had just strong armed a shop owner, is not something to be concerned about.

Also in that report, white on black homicides is significantly lower than black on black, black on white, and white on white.

"Fact: 93% of Black Murders are committed by Blacks!"

And here we have the art and fallacy of the perfectly irrelevant.

The facts are a cowboy cop lost control of a situation with an unarmed out - of -order kid. And then the cop didn't have sense enough to retreat and wait for backup. Almost worse, the prosecutor then behaves like defense council before the Grand Jury. Pathetic service to a community .

Irrelevant? There is no one out protesting the thousands of murders, actual crimes, performed on black by blacks. But we have burned a town and wasted lots of time discussing an occurrence that wasn't a crime.

Those lives of mostly young black men are not irrelevant. I make the argument that their thousands of lives are far more important than the life of the scumbag Michael Brown.

Focus , Peter. One issue at a time will help you avoid confusion.

Scott, Do you know who is responsible for Michael Browns death......Michael Brown.

I read the quotes from Mrs. Christian, but I still don't see the point of this.

I agree with Dave. Why?

I can almost hear the drum beats of them marching now. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Duh, Duh, Dummmmmb.

Real issue is when will are officers be armed with body cameras ? Where can we get funding for them ?

The vast majority of protests happening all over the country have to do specifically with the "non-indictment" of officer Wilson in Ferguson.. They are not protests against the police in general. A counter protest will be seen by many (weather that's the intent or not) as a celebration of the "non-indictment" and this will needlessly fan the flames of racial tension.

There are many ways to support the police for the tremendous service they provide the community other than a grandstanding and self-congratulating march down main street. (look at ME, I support the police) We all support the police! They are a necessity to creating a civil society.

Whether people are right or wrong to feel the way they do about the "non-indictment" is irrelevant. The fact is that millions of Americans are really upset about it. Wouldn't the more prudent approach be to give this issue some time to settle down, and then perhaps make a statement of support at a later date? A picnic perhaps? Officer Appreciation Day? Something other than a "March" which is a spectacle inextricably linked to civil rights issues, predominately racial in nature?

There are a few neighborhoods in Batavia that if they get wind of this March, could really make this ugly. This attempt by Christian to "Support the Local Police" could actually put them in greater danger.

Lastly, a "March" which is meant to make a statement, is usually best organized during the DAYTIME. Ya know....when people can see! Not at 6:30 pm in the dark marching down a heavily trafficked road!

Whether.

Until I saw the name *N, I wouldn't have replied to this negatively. This is where the whole issue will go wrong. Go ahead, bring it on in our small town. Beautiful downtown Batavia. This is what our small town needs. A racially charged riot right before Christmas. Oh, I can see it now ANYONE who will be the first to throw out that vulgar word. One that spews hate and racial slurs. We don't need what Ferguson, Missouri has going on. What we need is peace and harmony in our community. Not someone spitting out racial slurs. We have people of all races here.

By the way. In my definition- a *N is a person of ignorance. Sir, you sure are showing yours.

Thanks Ed. Haste doesn't usually lead to perfect grammar. I edited my mistake.

Not sure what you mean, Marc. I saw nothing wrong with your grammar.

Brenda, I think they way that police departments spend money on military equipment like Humvees, buying body camera's would be a drop in the bucket. Furthermore looking at a police man in their "tactical" gear, they don't look much different than a solider headed in to battle, other then the lack of camouflage and a camera. Most of our soldiers where them and the police are using the same gear, why wouldn't they. I would think that law enforcement would like these cameras. They will either cut down on attacks on police or help prosecute the ones that do attack police officers. I believe if Darren Wilson had a camera on we wouldn't even be having this conversation, he would either be in awaiting trial, or going about his old daily routine of working as a police officer.

Dan; the local Police Departments are not necessarily spending money on military equipment, it is being allocated to them by the Federal Government. It is a disturbing trend that has blown up over the Ferguson situation. Thankfully, we aren't seeing much of it here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1033_program

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/federal_support_for_…

Just another consequence of the 16th amendment, and centralized power. As usual the anger is misplaced or not directed at the root cause.

Rose Mary cancelled it today..good call..

A twitter attributed to John Fugelsang seems apropos. (I don't know who he is either.)

"Some Americans who never trust their govt tend to be the ones who trust it completely whenever an unarmed black person is shot and killed."

Maybe, maybe not. But I've heard little or nothing to indicate the contrary.

Dave, my point wasn't necessarily that the local police departments are paying for it, but that some how the taxpayers are paying for the equipment. The people making it don't give it away for free. Instead of more license plate scanners, Humvees, and other tactical gear, they should buy the cameras. Any "good" law enforcement officer would welcome it, and I would question why any LE officer would be against it. If they are, all the more reason they should have them. It's really a good thing for both sides, but in my opinion will benefit the police much more. Like I said above, if Darren Wilson had one on, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

Scott, I believe the evidence presented, because that is all you can go on when determining guilt.

No one has presented evidence that is 100% verifiable that proves the officer was the aggressor.

I am not saying that a march in favor of the police is a good idea but if she was requesting a march for Brown a good percentage would of agreed. Just recently there was a tragedy in NY somewhere in middle of the Ny state where a police officer pulled up to scene and suspect reached in vehicle and severely punched officer got his gun and killed him. Sound familiar? Any news agency's running with this, any riots? No white police officer. Anyone concerned about his loss of life or his family and kids! Not. Look up what Charles Barkley said about Ferguson. He doesn't say it for political reasons or any other reason he is and always been honest with what he believes.

OK. OK! Have it your way!
Weather.

Agree totally Dan. We pay for it ultimately. I am in favor of the transparency cameras would bring as well. I was just pointing out that the federal government still owns most of the military equipment and instead of trying to curb the practice and expense, the President's investigators want to create more bureaucracy for training and oversight. Personally, I don't like the militarization one bit.

While I can see her intentions might be in the right place, wouldn't it be better to plan a march to support change?