FERGUSON

[Bad Wolf]

Tragedy is a bit of a strong word isn't it? I don't know what he was like but you don't really get the impression that he was a very nice man, at least, not from this photo.

Technically, "tragedy" does not require that the person who either suffers from or causes the bad events was nice or innocent. Quite the contrary, actually. The very word means it was caused by human failing.

For example, if someone walks outside and is struck by lightning (due to an random event of nature, not some punishment by any god) and dies, that is NOT a tragedy. There was no human action which caused the bad event and there was no way the man could possibly have foreseen the consequences to walking outside at that moment. Some people might call it "a tragedy" that but that is a misuse of the word.

"Tragedy" is where the bad event was avoidable and caused by human factors. If someone walks outside while drunk, gets in a car and kills himself when he drives it off a cliff because of his intoxication, that IS a tragedy. Similarly, if he were to kill someone else because of his actions, driving while drunk, that would also be a "tragedy".

Michael Brown, whatever you may think of him personally, did not need to die that day. Therefore, his death was a "tragedy" in the proper use of the word. The only debate is who's fault you think it was. Was it his human failings or the police officer's or both?

Oh well there you go then. I got confused cause nobody really makes that distinction. Whenever i've heard the word used, it's always just meant: something really bad.

[A Theist]

Perhaps the reason why the police had an arbitrary "end time" set to the protest "after sundown" was because they feared the looters and rioters would return after dark and mingle in with the protestors. That seems far more likely than buying into the racist conspiracy narrative.

Oh, I see. So all protests are subject to the disperse-by-sundown rule? I assume Tea Bagger protests were also met with armored vehicles, snipers and full riot gear with the orders to disperse by a certain time or be treated as rioters?

BTW, what are your thoughts about Condoleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Allen West, and Dr. Ben Carson?

Why is it that in any discussion of race in America, it's inevitable that someone on the right wing will say some variation on "you know, I have black friends"? Do you actually think this argument works on anyone?

Oh, I see. So all protests are subject to the disperse-by-sundown rule? I assume Tea Bagger protests were also met with armored vehicles, snipers and full riot gear with the orders to disperse by a certain time or be treated as rioters?

Probably because Tea Party rallies don't turn violent with looting, arson, and tearing down their damn city like the rioters did in Ferguson.

Why is it that in any discussion of race in America, it's inevitable that someone on the right wing will say some variation on "you know, I have black friends"? Do you actually think this argument works on anyone?

That's not what I said. I was pointing out Min's selective racial tolerance. He's like most of you on the far left. You guys can tolerate blacks and minorities who agree with you, but you go bat shit crazy against blacks and minorities who are conservative and who don't ascribe to your leftist ideology. You guys on the far left are disingenuous hypocrites and you're closet racists.

[Cato]

You guys can tolerate blacks and minorities who agree with you, but you go bat shit crazy against blacks and minorities who are conservative and who don't ascribe to your leftist ideology. You guys on the far left are disingenuous hypocrites and you're closet racists.

Are you saying the left is racist by default if I disagree with Thomas' court decisions or West's policy opinions? Hmmmm, where have I heard this before?

[simplemoss]

So I guess when someone calls the Republican party racist, the only defense in the world they have left is:

"I am rubber you are glue whatever u say bounces off of me and sticks too you"

[Hoopington]

[quote='Hoopington' pid='809103' dateline='1417618041']
A pretty powerful message here:
...

I really am disturbed that anyone even photoshoped this sign at all to read like the altered version did. Making jokes like this is like dancing on someone's grave. Even if you believe Wilson acted correctly or was justified, at the very least the death of Michael Brown should be a tragedy.

Really? I'm far more disturbed that anyone would think any subject beyond comedy and humour.

I imagine your house is a whole lot of fun.

---

Tragedy is a bit of a strong word isn't it? I don't know what he was like but you don't really get the impression that he was a very nice man, at least, not from this photo.

Technically, "tragedy" does not require that the person who either suffers from or causes the bad events was nice or innocent. Quite the contrary, actually. The very word means it was caused by human failing.

For example, if someone walks outside and is struck by lightning (due to an random event of nature, not some punishment by any god) and dies, that is NOT a tragedy. There was no human action which caused the bad event and there was no way the man could possibly have foreseen the consequences to walking outside at that moment. Some people might call it "a tragedy" that but that is a misuse of the word.

"Tragedy" is where the bad event was avoidable and caused by human factors. If someone walks outside while drunk, gets in a car and kills himself when he drives it off a cliff because of his intoxication, that IS a tragedy. Similarly, if he were to kill someone else because of his actions, driving while drunk, that would also be a "tragedy".

Michael Brown, whatever you may think of him personally, did not need to die that day. Therefore, his death was a "tragedy" in the proper use of the word. The only debate is who's fault you think it was. Was it his human failings or the police officer's or both?

I was going to question your assertion that this bloke's death was a "tragedy," but we're ahead of the game. Just peachy.

I'm afraid to say, your definition is just wrong. Please show me one definition that specifies a tragedy has to be "caused by human factors." Maybe you're confusing the Shakespearean, so no doubt human made, "tragedy" with the type that usually means death and/or destruction. I don't know.

A Tsunami or Earthquake killing untold numbers wouldn't qualify?

No offence intended, but that is absolute rubbish.

[Strider]

That's not what I said. I was pointing out Min's selective racial tolerance. He's like most of you on the far left. You guys can tolerate blacks and minorities who agree with you, but you go bat shit crazy against blacks and minorities who are conservative and who don't ascribe to your leftist ideology. You guys on the far left are disingenuous hypocrites and you're closet racists.

Awesome blanket statement. Since you paint in broad strokes, I will too. Conservatives are worse than disingenuous hypocrites - they are ignorant pawns played in a game to further enrich the corporatists. Conservatives watch their own middle-class existence (if they were such to begin with) erode away while the rich get richer and the rest of us descend to impoverishment.

[DeistPaladin]

[Hoopington]

[Heywood]

That's not what I said. I was pointing out Min's selective racial tolerance. He's like most of you on the far left. You guys can tolerate blacks and minorities who agree with you, but you go bat shit crazy against blacks and minorities who are conservative and who don't ascribe to your leftist ideology. You guys on the far left are disingenuous hypocrites and you're closet racists.

Awesome blanket statement. Since you paint in broad strokes, I will too. Conservatives are worse than disingenuous hypocrites - they are ignorant pawns played in a game to further enrich the corporatists. Conservatives watch their own middle-class existence (if they were such to begin with) erode away while the rich get richer and the rest of us descend to impoverishment.

If the Obamacare fiasco has taught us anything it is that it's actually the progressives who are the ignorant pawns played in a game to further enrich the corporatist. Only the progressives would mandate that everyone...by virtue of being born...be required by law to buy the product of their corporate fat cat buddies.

Now that this precedent is set....how many other corporations are going to be pouring astronomical amounts of money toward lobbying congress to mandate laws that their products get the same treatment.

You progressives gave the government all the power and then you bitch when people try to take advantage of that concentrated power. Your utter stupidity makes me sick.

[Hoopington]

Awesome blanket statement. Since you paint in broad strokes, I will too. Conservatives are worse than disingenuous hypocrites - they are ignorant pawns played in a game to further enrich the corporatists. Conservatives watch their own middle-class existence (if they were such to begin with) erode away while the rich get richer and the rest of us descend to impoverishment.

If the Obamacare fiasco has taught us anything it is that it's actually the progressives who are the ignorant pawns played in a game to further enrich the corporatist. Only the progressives would mandate that everyone...by virtue of being born...be required by law to buy the product of their corporate fat cat buddies.

Now that this precedent is set....how many other corporations are going to be pouring astronomical amounts of money toward lobbying congress to mandate laws that their products get the same treatment.

You progressives gave the government all the power and then you bitch when people try to take advantage of that concentrated power. Your utter stupidity makes me sick.

I have to be honest, the "does God exist" question aside....this Republican v Democrat argument is about as tiresome as, well, me actually.

Heywood, I'm assuming you're a republican right? Do you agree with EVERY policy and decision made by that party? Same question for Democrats....... all this blase generalisation just feeds the animals in charge because you never end up discussing policies, you're always simply trying to get one up on, or just outt argue the other side....whether the point of view you hold is the correct one, or if you even agree with it, seems to pale into insignificance compared to getting one over on the other side.

Which is exactly what your news stations and, at a guess, your politicians want.

I really do find it baffling.