We're up to our alligators in these grotesque videos. One thing that's invariably present in these killings is the "bystander" cop, one or more officers who fail to intercede. Look how many Toronto police officers stood shoulder to shoulder with Forcillo as he fired not one but two distinct barrages into Sammy Yatim. Forcillo emptied his magazine. As I recall it was five shots. Yatim went down. Then a pause. Then he fired the remaining six rounds into Yatim's unmoving body.
As in the current case, cops were present who chose not to intervene to preserve life, to prevent needless death. By what right? By failing to intervene when further life-threatening violence is so obviously and urgently required, do they not become accessories to the wrongful death? Are they not guilty of manslaughter.
In my view the key to ending these outrages is to enact laws making it a criminal offence to be a bystander cop at a wrongful death. Serious jail time. A mandatory seven to fourteen year sentence. Let's see what that does to end this problem.
In my view, Mound, there is no such thing as bystanders cops, only committed, fervid members of the blue brotherhood; I agree with what you suggest: they are accomplices in crime, and need to be charged accordingly. So far, their only punishment is to be fired. And their union is telling people not to rush to judgement. Hmmm.
.. The perceptions & inspirations I run on.. are anchored there. That is my 'worldview'.. Home port.. so to speak. The flag my ship sails under. I am Master & Commander.. I am my own crew more or less.. & its a tiny ship yet its taken many a storm.
I wish all North Americans could find their own special flag or anchorage, but that is sadly not to be the case. We all rail about it Lorne.. astonished while sailing in heaving seas. The SOS goes out, ships breaking up, aground, lost, frozen in ice, hijacked.. whatever. We are not a 'healthy society'.. no matter what Jason Kenney tells us.. or Boris or Trump.. or shouting 'gawd save the queen'.. Oh Canada or 'land of the free, home of the brave'
There is no 'normal'.. not anymore. But we need & have stars to navigate by.. to explore.. or find 'home' .. Don't be discouraged.. there are many like you
Thanks so much, Sal. I felt my spirits rise as soon as I clicked on the link you provided. Truly soul-soothing.
I was much into photography when I was young, and have had a long-standing love for people like Henri Cartier-Bresson. His depictions of life is peerless. I also like Vivian Maier, about whom a great documentary was made. In terms of depictions of nature, however, no on beats Ansel Adams, in my view. His use of black and white, his manipulation of tone, his eye for the world, all of these made him the great artist he was.
Each of the above, and of course, many more, remind us of the world's potential, something it is often easy to forget.
It is disconcerting to know that such savagery exists so close to us, Owen. We certainly have our own problems here, but nothing of the magnitude that exists south of the border.
We're up to our alligators in these grotesque videos. One thing that's invariably present in these killings is the "bystander" cop, one or more officers who fail to intercede. Look how many Toronto police officers stood shoulder to shoulder with Forcillo as he fired not one but two distinct barrages into Sammy Yatim. Forcillo emptied his magazine. As I recall it was five shots. Yatim went down. Then a pause. Then he fired the remaining six rounds into Yatim's unmoving body.
ReplyDeleteAs in the current case, cops were present who chose not to intervene to preserve life, to prevent needless death. By what right? By failing to intervene when further life-threatening violence is so obviously and urgently required, do they not become accessories to the wrongful death? Are they not guilty of manslaughter.
In my view the key to ending these outrages is to enact laws making it a criminal offence to be a bystander cop at a wrongful death. Serious jail time. A mandatory seven to fourteen year sentence. Let's see what that does to end this problem.
In my view, Mound, there is no such thing as bystanders cops, only committed, fervid members of the blue brotherhood; I agree with what you suggest: they are accomplices in crime, and need to be charged accordingly. So far, their only punishment is to be fired. And their union is telling people not to rush to judgement. Hmmm.
Delete.. my adventures in photography started here.. and another stage of my life began
ReplyDeletehttps://huxleyparlour.com/w-eugene-smith-hope-and-innocence-2/
.. The perceptions & inspirations I run on.. are anchored there. That is my 'worldview'.. Home port.. so to speak. The flag my ship sails under. I am Master & Commander.. I am my own crew more or less.. & its a tiny ship yet its taken many a storm.
I wish all North Americans could find their own special flag or anchorage, but that is sadly not to be the case. We all rail about it Lorne.. astonished while sailing in heaving seas. The SOS goes out, ships breaking up, aground, lost, frozen in ice, hijacked.. whatever. We are not a 'healthy society'.. no matter what Jason Kenney tells us.. or Boris or Trump.. or shouting 'gawd save the queen'.. Oh Canada or 'land of the free, home of the brave'
There is no 'normal'.. not anymore. But we need & have stars to navigate by.. to explore.. or find 'home' .. Don't be discouraged.. there are many like you
Thanks so much, Sal. I felt my spirits rise as soon as I clicked on the link you provided. Truly soul-soothing.
DeleteI was much into photography when I was young, and have had a long-standing love for people like Henri Cartier-Bresson. His depictions of life is peerless. I also like Vivian Maier, about whom a great documentary was made. In terms of depictions of nature, however, no on beats Ansel Adams, in my view. His use of black and white, his manipulation of tone, his eye for the world, all of these made him the great artist he was.
Each of the above, and of course, many more, remind us of the world's potential, something it is often easy to forget.
Lynching continues south of the border. Only the means have changed.
ReplyDeleteIt is disconcerting to know that such savagery exists so close to us, Owen. We certainly have our own problems here, but nothing of the magnitude that exists south of the border.
Delete