That is one issue but another is the way in which this is reported in the press. The headline in The Independent reads, “Los Angeles police shoot unarmed man in the head who 'waved at them for help with a towel'”.
That gets your attention, and if you are looking for a reason to hate the police, gets your blood up. Most people read the title and maybe the first paragraph. The first paragraph expands on the idea of waving the towel. So this casual reader misses a more accurate description of what happened.
“‘The officers stopped to investigate and see what was needed,’ LAPD spokesman John Jenal told NBC Los Angeles. ‘This person then extended their arm, which was wrapped in a towel.’”Which is it? Is he waving a towel for help or pointing a towel wrapped hand at the police? Evidently someone had their cell phone out and taping so it might work out based on evidence.
Another question: If someone had time to get their cell phone ready to tape the police response, why did that person not go to help?
Hopefully the justice system will be able to work it out without the Attorney General, Jessie Jackson and Barak Obama weighing in.
homo unius libri
Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteAnd we know that if there is a way to stir the masses up they will keep digging but if it is clear the cop was right we will hear nothing more.
DeleteGrace and peace.