The BART Execution

Dear Airbourne In-Forums Reader,

Its funny, how when you use one word in place of another, the mood completely changes. Originally the shooting that occurred in Alameda County, was simply called a shooting. Now everywhere you read, it is no longer considered a shooting, but rather an execution. The word "execution"changes the whole mood of the situation. It makes the situation "Riot Worthy". Just one word...changes it from a simple investigation of what really happened, to making it a "Riot Worthy" event.

Let me state, I do not support what Officer Johannes Mehserle did on New Years day. I do not feel that his excuse for the shooting [that he thought he had drawn his taser gun instead] is a valid one. In fact, my honest opinion, is that he should be stripped of his rights as a human and suffer years of jail time, with no hope of freedom for years to come. I think what went down was fishy, and wrong. As a cop there needs to be a level of control over yourself, especially when you can't always control your environment. To have a kid pinned on the ground, and "accidentally" open fire on him, just doesn't make sense. Are you telling me he can't physically feel the difference of a taser gun, and his 9 mm in his hand? He doesn't know the difference in the weight and feel? I doubt it.

But that's not what this post is about. No, instead of touching on the incident, I want to touch on the aftermath.

I mentioned the word "execution" earlier, as a riot worthy word. There seems to be a trigger word in the minds of ALL the Zombies in the world [a series of words actually], that just makes them act irrational. It brings out the NEED for chaos in their lives. And for those moments, we have law enforcement. Now, before I continue, I want to state that EVERY situation is different. There are times when brute force is used, and not required, as well as times where it is needed, but it is frowned upon and criticized. Below are two photos taken by a woman named Brooke. In figure 1 a young man is pinned on the ground with an officer's knee planted to his neck. Figure 2 shows the same young man on his feet being arrested. [I have also made both pictures linked to Brooke's Flickr page so that you can read the comments]

If you follow the link attached to the image of Figure 2 you will see a comment that states:
"Great shot, you can just see the excitement on the cops face about getting to use his riot gear on a defenseless person."

Does the individual in Figure 2 look like he is going peacefully? Not to me.

Here is my point. What happened in the Fruitvale Station on New Years day is unfortunate...but it is done. At what point do people think, that rioting, and looting is the answer? Of course when you cause mayhem there will be a force set forth to correct it. If a cop is arresting you, he is in control. Do what is in your power to stay unhurt and alive...and that is done by not fighting him and doing everything you are told as long as it is meant to keep you out of harms way. If you fight a cop, he will hurt you. You cannot call a man, defenseless, if he has just been arrested for looting, and he is trying to fight a cop. He is guilty. Simple.

All I am getting at here, is that a photo can only show a split second of what is really going on. We can not judge these situations with out proper facts. Do not "hate" the police for doing their job and while trying to keep themselves safe at the same time. They too have families they want to go home to. I do not support a Police State...we all know this. I despise it. But there needs to be law and order.

I will say this...if that was Florida, and that young man tried to loot my shop, he would of prayed the cop got to him before my shot gun shells met his face and chest. [And that my friends would be legal...so jahbless Jeb Bush] Chaos will always be met by force, whether by police, or by those looking to protect themselves and their property. The crime of one man, no matter how unjust, should not incite chaos. And when it does, there will be riot control...and actions like the below photographs capture will occur.

In my opinion, the gentleman being arrested deserves the treatment he is recieving just as much as the Officer Mehserle deserves his time in jail.

Regards,
Jahrootz

Figure 1:


Figure 2: