Tears Shed

i read an article where a former police chief was interviewed about the recent police handling of protests.  He made some interesting points that really have me concerned.  Points worth repeating and worth exploring.

The thing that really gets me worked up is that pepper spray and tazers are non-lethal weapons meant to be an alternative to cops using their guns.  In situations where shots would be fired cops now have the ability to use these tools to prevent serious injury or death.  Are protests a situation where, if pepper spray, tazers, and tear gas where not available, cops would be opening fire?  i'd hope not. So why are they so quick to pull out these weapons?

Because these weapons are considered non-lethal cops seem to have become Quick-draw McGraw.  If anything happens causing them to feel like they are not completely in control, cops are taking aggressive action to exert their will on others.  This philosophy which is prevalent throughout our country's police forces makes the options of peaceful protests or civil disobedience an impossibility.

Now this is a very dangerous thing.  When other forms of communication have been shut-down protests are the only way for people to have their voices heard.  When people's voices get taken away they frequently are left with no alternatives but their arms.

The unfortunate truth is that police forces are under the control of a very political system.  In recent years our political system has become ever more slave to money, corporations, and special interests.  Post 9-11 security spending has put military level equipment into the hands of our neighborhood police forces.  In a matter of speaking, those with money and influence have a new military at their disposal.  Not one sent overseas to procure their interests in foreign lands, but one sent out into our streets to make sure everyone behaves accordingly.

The only way a minority has ever been able to control the majority is through division.  Racism, sexism, etc, etc, etc have been crucial tools over the years to keep the majority of people divided.  Recently however, across our planet people of all walks of life have been uniting for the greater good of all.  This, of course, is a threat to ruling minorities everywhere.  What are they to do?

Well, when your usual divisive banter like stereotypes of spoiled, entitle, hipster-hippies, who need baths and to 'just get a job' do not seem to be quelling the uprising its time to send in your army.  Politicians call for police forces to 'maintain order' and a dangerous situation is created.

Suddenly you have members of the same majority forced to face-off along a line.  Armed men can be scary but numbers can easily be intimidating.  When small minds with weapons are forced to stand off against such huge and determined gatherings it is just a matter of time before one or a few of them find themselves far outside of their comfort zone.  And that is when the trouble really starts.

Suddenly an 'us vs them' situation is created and the powers that be get exactly what they want: division.  The message gets lost, people start choosing sides, unity is gone.  Peaceful protests give way to violent movements as the more moderate minded are driven away and the extremes step up in the void.

We all need to be very thoughtful and deliberate in our actions.  The more dangerous the items in your hand, the more consideration, care, and compassion we must exercise over our natures.  We are all responsible for our own actions, no matter what or who is telling us what to do.  Actions taken out of fear will only lead to more action, driven by even stronger emotions.