# Ferguson, MO **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 12, 2014, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354 "2014-08-12T04:51:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 170
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3381 "2014-11-28T20:50:01Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > The only embarrassment I feel is on your behalf. But hey, enjoy your trolling. It’s not a particularly good substitute for thinking, but I suspect it’s all you can manage. > > Actually, I should probably stop arguing with you. It’s a bit like poking an angry hamster, mildly amusing but ultimately unfair, and if I do it too much I’ll start to feel like a bully. Uh huh. Well, thanks for showing people some truly classic conservative thinking. You went from regarding something as very poor to finding one internet reference you could very selectively quote from to resolve your cognitive dissonance. Well done, little guy! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3382 "2014-11-28T20:55:46Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Uh huh. Well, thanks for showing people some truly classic conservative thinking. You went from regarding something as very poor to finding one internet reference you could very selectively quote from to resolve your cognitive dissonance. Well done, little guy! If by “one internet reference” you mean “the actual law”, then yes, I did. I made the mistake of believing a random person on the internet that the law was stated in error to the Grand Jury, but my mistake has been corrected. So, what originally appeared to be an inconsequential error turns out not to have been an error at all. Why are you still harping on about it? Oh yeah, troll. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3383 "2014-11-28T21:38:57Z")
> [@CannyDan](#): > > Now you’re just being stubborn. If you believe that the statistics for states and municipalities are so dramatically different that prosecutors failing to get requested indictments can be legitimately characterized as \ then you’re welcome to bring 'em on. So - you bring up an irrelevant statistic. When it is pointed out that it is irrelevant you ask me to bring the relevant one? How about you do it. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3384 "2014-11-28T23:25:12Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > You made up the “fact” that the law was misrepresented to the jury, that the Supreme Court decision wasn’t mentioned, and you continue to claim that Wilson may have fired at Brown’s back. > > We now know all of those are false, yet you continue to claim them Which makes you either a liar or an idiot. Given the way you respond, my money’s on liar. You know you’re wrong, but you don’t have the balls to admit it. You’re a sad, pathetic troll. Either a liar or an idiot? He can certainly be both, can’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3385 "2014-11-28T23:30:04Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Either a liar or an idiot? He can certainly be both, can’t he? Indubitably. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3386 "2014-11-29T00:06:42Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > You made up the “fact” that the law was misrepresented to the jury, that the Supreme Court decision wasn’t mentioned, and you continue to claim that Wilson may have fired at Brown’s back. > > We now know all of those are false, yet you continue to claim them Which makes you either a liar or an idiot. G Mr. **Steophan** , I may have overlooked some posts but I haven’t seen any “proof” that there were no shots fired at Mr. Brown’s back. In his fine Great Debates thread, **sterontz** doesn’t think it can be [conclusively ruled out.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17934397&postcount=212) He does view it as unlikely. I suspect that if it could be ruled out, there would be testimony from forensics experts at the grand jury hearings saying as much. I also believe you’re misrepresenting **Hentor** ’s comment about relevant law. His [first post on this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17932742&postcount=3288): > [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Jesus Fucking Christ. > > [Shocking mistake in Darren Wilson grand jury](http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/shocking-mistake-in-darren-wilson-grand-jury-364273731666) > > According to Lawrence O’Donnell, the ADA “prosecuting” the matter gave the grand jury a print-out of a Missouri statute that said that the use of deadly force was justified when a suspect is fleeing. > > This statute was ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court in 1985. > > Subsequently the grand jury listened to Wilson’s testimony. > > The ADA did not provide the correct text of the statute until weeks after giving them the incorrect text. She also did not tell them what was incorrect about the first statute (i.e., the part about not being allowed to shoot a fleeing suspect). She was also oddly cagey in answering a grand jury members question about whether the US Supreme Court has jurisdiction over Missouri statutes! You say **Hentor** claimed the Supreme Court ruling wasn’t mentioned. I believe his claim is it wasn’t mentioned until after Officer Wilson’s testimony. I think **Hentor** (and **elucidator** ) are throwing irrelevant shit hoping something will stick, and it’s not reflecting well on them. But “Ready! Fire! Aim!” seems like the order of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3387 "2014-11-29T00:12:29Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > I think **Hentor** (and **elucidator** ) are throwing irrelevant shit hoping something will stick, and it’s not reflecting well on them. But “Ready! Fire! Aim!” seems like the order of the day. The sad part is that there is nothing to “stick” to - the Grand Jury is done, there will be no trial, there is no way another Grand Jury on this matter will be convened in the near future, and nothing **Hentor** and **elucidator** post on the subject will go further than this board. So it’s not really throwing shit hoping something will stick. It’s just throwing shit. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3388 "2014-11-29T00:20:54Z")
I guess the only solution is to establish a true surveillance state, with cameras everywhere, recording everything. I’m sure the Mr. Browns of the world will be thrilled, as it will surely vindicate them more often than not. I would like to see cops and their cars outfitted with more video though. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3389 "2014-11-29T00:39:30Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I guess the only solution is to establish a true surveillance state, with cameras everywhere, recording everything. I’m sure the Mr. Browns of the world will be thrilled, as it will surely vindicate them more often than not. > > I would like to see cops and their cars outfitted with more video though. Maybe a better way to prevent this would be for people old enough to know better not go around shoplifting and assaulting cops. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3390 "2014-11-29T00:47:13Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Maybe a better way to prevent this would be for people old enough to know better not go around shoplifting and assaulting cops. If Mr. Brown had stolen a loaf of bread to feed his poor family instead of cigars, and not assaulted a store clerk and not assaulted a cop, I’d be more sympathetic. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3391 "2014-11-29T01:02:24Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > If Mr. Brown had stolen a loaf of bread to feed his poor family instead of cigars, and not assaulted a store clerk and not assaulted a cop, I’d be more sympathetic. Bart: Uh, say, are you guys crooks? Fat Tony: Bart, is it wrong to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family? Bart: No. Fat Tony: Well, suppose you got a large starving family. Is it wrong to steal a truckload of bread to feed them? Bart: Uh uh. Fat Tony: And, what if your family don’t like bread? They like… cigarettes? Bart: I guess that’s okay. Fat Tony: Now, what if instead of giving them away, you sold them at a price that was practically giving them away. Would that be a crime, Bart? Bart: Hell, no! ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3392 "2014-11-29T02:48:54Z")
I can’t believe that after all this time they still haven’t been able to unearth a single photograph of Brown where he had even the mildest of smiles. Every photo of that dude has him either throwing signs and looking hard or towering over everyone else in the picture just brooding at the camera. At least with Trayvon M they were able to dig up some pictures of him when he was 10 or whatever and had a smile on his face. It’s pretty telling that there hasn’t been anything similar thrown up for Brown. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3393 "2014-11-29T03:12:36Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I can’t believe that after all this time they still haven’t been able to unearth a single photograph of Brown where he had even the mildest of smiles. […] It’s pretty telling that there hasn’t been anything similar thrown up for Brown. [Here.](http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140815221800-ac-dnt-carroll-michael-brown-background-00003316-story-body.jpg) [Here.](http://cbsbaltimore.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/michael-brown.jpg?w=620&h=349&crop=1)[Here.](http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/michael_brown_portrait_brother600.jpg) And even if there weren’t any on-line it wouldn’t mean anything. At least two of the grand jury witnesses thought he was unusually respectful. He obviously had problems, but let’s not dehumanize him. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3394 "2014-11-29T03:12:47Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I can’t believe that after all this time they still haven’t been able to unearth a single photograph of Brown where he had even the mildest of smiles. Every photo of that dude has him either throwing signs and looking hard or towering over everyone else in the picture just brooding at the camera. > > At least with Trayvon M they were able to dig up some pictures of him when he was 10 or whatever and had a smile on his face. It’s pretty telling that there hasn’t been anything similar thrown up for Brown. Yeah, there isn’t a[single example of him smiling to be found](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/13/1407962236533_wps_3_brownmuzz2_jpg_michael_br.jpg). [None.](http://www.mixedbagmag.com/images/140815_michael-brown_005.jpg) [Not a one.](http://cdn2.everyjoe.com/wp-content/gallery/michael-brown/michael-brown-smiling.jpg) Took me 30 seconds. Reasonable people can disagree about the decision of the Grand Jury in this case, and about the actions of the officer, and about Michael Brown himself. Unreasonable people, however, go out of their way to misrepresent the truth and demonize a dead man just to satisfy themselves of their own self-righteousness. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3395 "2014-11-29T03:32:19Z")
I think society is a bit tired of mommy on TV saying “he was a saint! Never hurt anybody! He was like Jesus!” while we see “Jesus” beating people up and raping 'cause he’s a big bad gang banger. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3396 "2014-11-29T03:55:46Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Reasonable people can disagree about the decision of the Grand Jury in this case, and about the actions of the officer, and about Michael Brown himself. Unreasonable people, however, go out of their way to misrepresent the truth and demonize a dead man just to satisfy themselves of their own self-righteousness. Well, you know, “innocent until proven guilty” is only for the police. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3397 "2014-11-29T03:57:02Z")
> [@](#): > > … while we see “Jesus” beating people up and raping 'cause he’s a big bad gang banger. He was gonna _rape_ Officer Wilson? Well, shit no wonder he shot him! ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3398 "2014-11-29T04:13:29Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > He was gonna _rape_ Officer Wilson? Well, shit no wonder he shot him! I know right? If he’d raped a female officer, this thread would be totally Cosby. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Lucky\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_Mike)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3399 "2014-11-29T06:48:08Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > If Mr. Brown had stolen a loaf of bread to feed his poor family instead of cigars, and not assaulted a store clerk and not assaulted a cop, I’d be more sympathetic. One of the things I find very interesting about this case is this crime Brown committed. I mean, how does one think they will get away with something like that? In this day and age of cameras? Had he done this before and the police never followed up on reports or look for him? It really begs the question of why someone would do a stupid, pointless, nearly valueless crime. But, I guess it is hard to understand some mind sets in this world. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/3400 "2014-11-29T07:47:30Z")
> [@Lucky\_Mike](#): > > One of the things I find very interesting about this case is this crime Brown committed. I mean, how does one think they will get away with something like that? In this day and age of cameras? > > Had he done this before and the police never followed up on reports or look for him? > > It really begs the question of why someone would do a stupid, pointless, nearly valueless crime. But, I guess it is hard to understand some mind sets in this world. You estimate the odds of getting caught and go for it. When you get busted, you freak and lash out at the universe. Or cops. Or women cops. Cops you can [del]rape [/del]win against. Sometimes they shoot you. Doh! Why do I always get screwed??? Racism! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=169) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=171)