# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/121 "2014-08-13T21:28:00Z")
“OK. guys, just one more time, so listen: its ravage, pillage, plunder and _then_ burn!” - \*Ragnar the Bloody \* ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bruce\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/122 "2014-08-13T21:29:51Z")
I guess NBC posted pictures of Mike Brown that made him appear menacing, kind of like media outlets did with George Zimmerman only creating bias on the opposite end if the political spectrum. I wonder sometimes if certain journalists do shit like this just to stir the pot. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/123 "2014-08-13T21:34:15Z")
> [@Bruce\_Wayne](#): > > I guess NBC posted pictures of Mike Brown that made him appear menacing, kind of like media outlets did with George Zimmerman only creating bias on the opposite end if the political spectrum. I wonder sometimes if certain journalists do shit like this just to stir the pot. NPR has an interesting [story](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/11/339592009/people-wonder-if-they-gunned-me-down-what-photo-would-media-use)about the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown. > [@NPR](#): > > The use of different photos to portray shooting victim Michael Brown, who was killed by a police officer Saturday, prompted an interesting phenomenon on Twitter Monday: Users are posting “dueling” photos of themselves – one where the subject looks wholesome, and another where the same person might look like a troublemaker – with the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/124 "2014-08-13T21:34:48Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > It doesn’t sound like the friend is saying what Brown planned to say. More that he was in the process of saying it but hadn’t finished. > > I would think one core question here will be the coroner’s report and the forensic evidence. If it establishes that Brown was shot in the back and/or from a distance, then it would be very bad for the cop. But if it was in the front or side and at close range, then not only would it bolster the claim of a struggle for the gun, but it would also impeach the witness testimony. From the witness statement it sounds like he was shot both at close range/from the front and from a distance/in the back. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/125 "2014-08-13T21:43:54Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > We don’t yet know if there has been a horrid miscarriage of justice or not. It is too early to tell, and it depends on circumstances. > > There are several possibilities. > > 1. The facts emerge that the shooting was justified. In that case, no miscarriage of justice. > > 2. The facts emerge that the shooting was unjustified - perhaps the cop was a racist. The authotiries investigate, he is charged and found guilty of murder, and is sent to jail. A terrible crime was committed, true, but no miscarriage of justice. > > 3. The facts emerge that the shooting was unjustified but the authorities sweep it under the rug; the murderous, racist cop gets some kind of slap on the wrist and is out gunning for more unarmed kids in next to no time. A terrible miscarriage of justice. > > Only in the third case has a “miscarriage of justice” happened - and, importantly, it is far too early to tell if scenario 3 will happen or not. How about 1a. The “investigation” determines that the shooting was “justified.” For instance, according to the witness the cop grabbed MB and yanked him toward him. MB struggles to break away and all the cop has to do is claim “he was trying to get my weapon” and now the shooting is justified. Miscarriage of justice or not? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/126 "2014-08-13T21:47:04Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > How about 1a. The “investigation” determines that the shooting was “justified.” For instance, according to the witness the cop grabbed MB and yanked him toward him. MB struggles to break away and all the cop has to do is claim “he was trying to get my weapon” and now the shooting is justified. Miscarriage of justice or not? I see in the news that the officer in question was injured (“facial injuries”) and treated for them. I think it’s a good idea, in general, not to fight the police. Never ends well. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/127 "2014-08-13T22:33:53Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > NPR has an interesting [story](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/11/339592009/people-wonder-if-they-gunned-me-down-what-photo-would-media-use)about the hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown. Which photo best represents the person in the two photos? They are the same person, right? How would you force media outlets to use the photo of your choice? No photos showing gang signs are permitted if there are graduation photos available? Unless the graduation photo depicts gang signs, then birthday party photos should be used? Something with a pony, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/128 "2014-08-13T22:37:00Z")
> [@Bruce\_Wayne](#): > > I guess NBC posted pictures of Mike Brown that made him appear menacing, kind of like media outlets did with George Zimmerman only creating bias on the opposite end if the political spectrum. I wonder sometimes if certain journalists do shit like this just to stir the pot. Media outlets are in the business of making money by attracting viewers/readers. That doesn’t make them bad people but an educated consumer can work around the tricks of the trade. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/129 "2014-08-13T22:39:07Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > How about 1a. The “investigation” determines that the shooting was “justified.” For instance, according to the witness the cop grabbed MB and yanked him toward him. MB struggles to break away and all the cop has to do is claim “he was trying to get my weapon” and now the shooting is justified. Miscarriage of justice or not? Sounds like this is really a scenario 3 - that is, the “investigation”, administrative or in the courts, spins the facts (or accepts a spin of the facts) and comes to a conclusion that is a sham. I’d say that was a miscarriage of justice. Though again, it is too early to claim one has already ocurred. ---
**Author:** ![akwally1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akwally1/32/3220_2.png) [@akwally1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akwally1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/130 "2014-08-13T22:39:11Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I see in the news that the officer in question was injured (“facial injuries”) and treated for them. I think it’s a good idea, in general, not to fight the police. Never ends well. Depending on what actually happened, if a police officer is dragging someone in through their car window, I would expect them to have some facial injuries even if the person isn’t fighting back just from the logistics of the event. I withhold judgement on this until we get more information. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/131 "2014-08-13T22:42:27Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I see in the news that the officer in question was injured (“facial injuries”) and treated for them. Got a cite? Been on the AP website all day and haven’t seen this. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/132 "2014-08-13T22:44:32Z")
It appears that the looters wanted to steal stuff. And maybe burn buildings to cover up their crimes. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/133 "2014-08-13T22:49:29Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Got a cite? Been on the AP website all day and haven’t seen this. Maybe AP doesn’t use Google? \*FERGUSON, Mo. – The officer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Missouri was injured in the alleged altercation, according to Ferguson Chief of Police Tom Jackson. Jackson, who spoke on the phone with News 4’s Laura Hettiger Wednesday morning, said the officer “was hit” and the “side of his face was swollen.” The chief did not say if the officer suffered any broken bones.\* > **[Local](https://www.firstalert4.com/news/local/Chief-Officer-in-fatal-shooting-suffered-facial-injuries-271079471.html)** ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/134 "2014-08-13T22:50:03Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Which photo best represents the person in the two photos? They are the same person, right? > > How would you force media outlets to use the photo of your choice? No photos showing gang signs are permitted if there are graduation photos available? Unless the graduation photo depicts gang signs, then birthday party photos should be used? Something with a pony, perhaps? Who (other than you, just now) said anything about forcing the media to do anything? I personally try to avoid being photographed posing like a would-be gangbanger (and not just because of how ridiculous I would look), and think it’d probably be a good policy for pretty much everyone else. But there’s a legitimate point to be made about the way the choice of photo can impact public perception. I recall a lot of caterwauling not long ago over the lamestream media constantly running the fat-sweaty-mugshot-Zimmerman pic vs. the smiling-and-innocent-looking-young-Trayvon pic, at least until the Zimmermaniacs unearthed their own uncomplimentary photos of an older, scarier and blacker Martin attempting some junior thug poses, just for fairness 'n balance. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/135 "2014-08-13T23:06:32Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Got a cite? Been on the AP website all day and haven’t seen this. > **[Local](https://www.firstalert4.com/news/local/Chief-Officer-in-fatal-shooting-suffered-facial-injuries-271079471.html)** ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/136 "2014-08-13T23:06:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Do cops in Missouri normally make a habit of pulling up to pedestrians and shooting them for no reason? 'Cause the friend’s story doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, and our nation’s prisons are FULL of people whose friends will swear that they didn’t do anything wrong. …as the worlds leading jailer by a substantial margin, I’m pretty sure that prisons in the United States have plenty of people in it who didn’t do something wrong. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/137 "2014-08-13T23:12:38Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …as the worlds leading jailer by a substantial margin, I’m pretty sure that prisons in the United States have plenty of people in it who didn’t do something wrong. But you will lose a metric shitload of money picking prisoners at random and betting you can prove the courts wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/138 "2014-08-13T23:17:44Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > But you will lose a metric shitload of money picking prisoners at random and betting you can prove the courts wrong. …why would you want to do that? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/139 "2014-08-13T23:21:58Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Who (other than you, just now) said anything about forcing the media to do anything? (post shortened) Eye said it. It’s right there in my post. You read it. You even commented on it. Other than me? I could do a search but so could you. Some people have posted two photos of themselves at “hashtag #IfTheyGunnedMeDown” in the hope that media outlets will post the nicer/best photo of themselves should the media ever need to post photos of someone sought for their involved in possible criminal activity. Or when they reach 100 years of age. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354/140 "2014-08-13T23:23:23Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …why would you want to do that? To make money if you take the bet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-mo/695354.md?page=8)