# 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:** 18
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/341 "2014-08-14T17:21:49Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > See, now that’s being a dick. > > [“On Sunday night our police helicopter came under fire on 3 or 4 occasions, so we requested that the FAA put up a no-fly zone for the safety of pilots who would be in the area,” St. Louis County Police Department Officer Brian Schellman told NBC News. The ban on flights is scheduled to last until Monday, Aug. 18.](http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/michael-brown-shooting/michael-brown-death-no-fly-zone-enacted-over-missouri-town-n179011) Just a “police officer”? Not the Chief, not the Mayor, just a cop? And the evidence? Any evidence? One cop says so, and, so far as you are concerned, that settles it? Seriously? ---
**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:** [August 14, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/342 "2014-08-14T17:22:51Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I’m not saying they’re above the law. I’m just asking, are they not allowed to question authority figures? They are expected to question them, at the appropriate time and place. Which is emphatically not in the middle of a riot. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/343 "2014-08-14T17:23:11Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > If that’s the case, why didn’t they just close the restaurant altogether and tell the employees to go home? Do we know that they didn’t? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/344 "2014-08-14T17:23:22Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Just a “police officer”? Not the Chief, not the Mayor, just a cop? And the evidence? Any evidence? One cop says so, and, so far as you are concerned, that settles it? Seriously? The cop says so and the FAA closes the airspace. Unless you think the FAA is trying to shut down the press… ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/345 "2014-08-14T17:24:21Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Looting only hurts people who had nothing to do with the incident. It’s nonsensical. > Looting mentality: “I’m furious at the cops! How will I express my anger? By attacking some unrelated small business!” OMFG, George W Bush was a looter! ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/346 "2014-08-14T17:24:31Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I’m not saying they’re above the law. I’m just asking, are they not allowed to question authority figures? They certainly can, at the appropriate place and time. “While a cop is ordering you to evacuate” is not that time. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/347 "2014-08-14T17:24:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > > [@BobLibDem](#): > > > > For those blaming the reporters, do you think we have an obligation to follow every order from the police? > > Yes. Yeah? Without even **Steophan’s** exceptions for indentured murdertude or forced fellatio? You are a very damaged human being, and I’m honestly sorry for the trauma you must have suffered in your life to bring you to this point. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/348 "2014-08-14T17:25:30Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Hey, you said this: > > Who were you referring to with the “victims” if not the looters? The kid that got shot because he belonged to the same group as the looters. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/349 "2014-08-14T17:26:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So it doesn’t count as being fired on unless you get hit? If there is no physical result, what is there? Do you require any kind of evidence at all to reach your preferred opinion? You are pressing this as though you had solid and irrefutable evidence. Have you? Might you not put forth a more sensible thought, like the FAA made its decision on the side of caution, under circumstances clouded with doubt. I’m not objecting to the FAA’s decision, sure, why risk it? What I am objecting to is your rock solid certainty based on nothing more than hearsay. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/350 "2014-08-14T17:29:48Z")
If only the British army had thought to tell the Americans to disperse at Yorktown. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/351 "2014-08-14T17:30:03Z")
By the way, just to show how reporter’s recollection of events can be wrong: > **[Reporters arrested in Ferguson](https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/reporters-arrested-in-ferguson-193914?hp=f3)** > > Reporters for the Washington Post and Huffington Post were detained while covering the protests. “As I turned the corner I tried to ask him… ‘Am I going to be able to move my car?’ They didn’t want to answer that question.” If you watch [the video](http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/reporters-arrested-in-ferguson-193914.html?hp=f3), the policeman answers that question immediately after being asked. What’s weird is Lowery reporting that even when he had access to his own video that shows otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/352 "2014-08-14T17:31:54Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > The cop says so and the FAA closes the airspace. Unless you think the FAA is trying to shut down the press… If there are to be words in my mouth, I much prefer my own, thanks anyway. Nothing wrong with the FAA’s decision, they were being cautious. No prob. What I have a problem with is you asserting certainty where no such certainty is even _possible_! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/353 "2014-08-14T17:35:48Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > By the way, just to show how reporter’s recollection of events can be wrong: > > [http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/reporters-arrested-in-ferguson-193914.html?hp=f3](http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/reporters-arrested-in-ferguson-193914.html?hp=f3) > > “As I turned the corner I tried to ask him… ‘Am I going to be able to move my car?’ They didn’t want to answer that question.” > > If you watch [the video](http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/reporters-arrested-in-ferguson-193914.html?hp=f3), the policeman answers that question immediately after being asked. What’s weird is Lowery reporting that even when he had access to his own video that shows otherwise. Not apparent from the link. Specifics? ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/354 "2014-08-14T17:36:38Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > First, **Debaser** , you’re on a fool’s errand. If the police were acting illegally, then the fidelity of this board to the law is admirable. If it turns out their order was legal, then you’re a monster for not seeing that not every law is moral, and an idiot for not understanding that what was REALLY being discussed here was morality, which, of course, is defined by the liberal members of the board. 😃 So true. As to the rest of your post, thanks for helping to fight my ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/355 "2014-08-14T17:38:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > If there are to be words in my mouth, I much prefer my own, thanks anyway. > > Nothing wrong with the FAA’s decision, they were being cautious. No prob. What I have a problem with is you asserting certainty where no such certainty is even _possible_! There is certainty that the police are saying the police helicopters were fired upon, several times. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/356 "2014-08-14T17:39:29Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, it isn’t. Still not seeing any “sick lecture”. Perhaps you can put it in bold for me? O’Reilly is exactly right. It’s tough sometimes weighing the right thing to do. You want to follow the law. You want to determine the facts. But you don’t want to be insensitive to the people who are justifiably upset about losing a loved one. I guess now I’m giving a “sick lecture” too, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/357 "2014-08-14T17:39:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Not apparent from the link. Specifics? What is “not apparent from the link”? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/358 "2014-08-14T17:40:31Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Yeah? Without even **Steophan’s** exceptions for indentured murdertude or forced fellatio? Those are abuses of police power, and in the long run that officer would pat dearly for it. In the short term, it is always better to submit and make out like a bandit in the courts than to die with the moral high ground. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/359 "2014-08-14T17:44:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Those are abuses of police power, and in the long run that officer would pat dearly for it. In the short term, it is always better to submit and make out like a bandit in the courts than to die with the moral high ground. Not everyone would blow a cop simply because he ordered you and hope the courts settle it later…just saying. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/360 "2014-08-14T17:45:50Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > Not everyone would blow a cop simply because he ordered you and hope the courts settle it later…just saying. If blowing a cop is the least bad option… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=19)