"Koch Brothers In League With BLM"?...check out the attached link...
After looking over the earlier post regarding the BLM's Annual Report, I started rummaging around on Google to get more info...by chance I came across a reference on their website regarding "Defunding the Police" and a video explaining what they meant by the term (see following link).
https://vimeo.com/435916734
Then, I did some more searching on "De-Funding Police" and, Lo-and-Behold, I came across the linked article from the 'Charles Koch Institute'. Maybe I'm the last one to see this, but my jaw dropped just a bit when I read it. Now, putting these two pieces together, perhaps we can come together on a path forward...BLM wants some limited funds (e.g. their 5% example in the video) re-directed to mental health assistance and other community services, and the Koch Institute advocates for a reduction in spending on SWAT teams...I see 'common ground' here...do you?
BTW, Eugene Oregon's PD has been following this path for several years with near unanimous support from police and community representatives.
Link: https://www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue-areas/criminal-justice-policing-reform/militarization-of-police/
Replies to: "Koch Brothers In League With BLM"?...check out the attached link...
Based on your post, there could be common ground. SWAT teams are overused and innocents die.
But, remember when Rand Paul and his wife were attacked by BLMers shouting "Say her name!" His response was that he says her name all the time, and even introduced a bill in Congress to stop SWAT raids like the one in Louisville. He very publicly agreed with them, and still they attacked him. If they were really concerned about their stated cause, they would have honored him. But, they don't actually care about their stated cause. They care more about disagreeing with the Right. If a cause or event can't be converted from itself into a Left-vs-Right discussion, then that cause is useless to those in power. When G.Floyd died, there was momentary unity in the country...then the riots started, and within 24 hours the debate was shifted from anti-police brutality, to black vs. white and Left vs. Right. The Left-Right division was further fueled to prevent actual resolution of the cause of stopping police brutality. Division fuels the political engine. Common ground does not advance the agenda of the politically powerful. So, bills like Rand Paul's will languish. Bills that eliminate civil asset forfeiture (something almost every American wants) don't go anywhere. Eliminate daylight savings?...boring...nothing to be politically gained from spending time on that, because everyone wants it. If some conservatives agree with BLM that SWAT raids should be stopped?...that would help the stated cause, but it does not advance the Left-vs-Right political warfare, so common ground is ignored.
[For the record, I didn't watch the video or read the report.]
Time is limited...I understand, Ned, but the article doesn't take too much time to finish and the
video is illuminating in hearing the words delivered...plus their are some graphs to illustrate the objective. I know I sound like a broken record, but I firmly believe that the 'onus' is on the truly powerful...i.e. the Majority...to take the lead and make things right.
SWAT teams are not overused
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Yes they are. They are used to serve warrants. Far too casually used.
They are so casually used, that they go to wrong addresses and attack innocent people in their homes...tossing flash-bang grenades into baby cribs (actually happened) and killing innocent people. Their use is so mundane/boring/tedious, that they can't even be bothered to double and triple check the address they are going to. But, the police are immune from prosecution for such mistakes.
Don't worry, though. It will continue to happen, because those deaths of innocents fuel the political divide.
no they're not, policemen do not use unless there is necessary circumstances. Police don't want to
use for evidentiary reasons. If someone goes to the wrong house then that is a mistake, and should be handled locally. What it does not do is condemn the whole SWAT team from every jurisdiction.
BTW, only larger cities can afford to have a SWAT team.
They are overused and abused. They are not immune civilly or criminally if they are reckless.
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Well said.
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In the real world, there is more of that happening than you would think if you just read and listen
to the echo chambers.