# Sacrifice bad cops to Baal; to expiate American racism. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 29, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641 "2020-05-29T03:32:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/1 "2020-05-29T03:32:32Z")
I think you know what I’m talking about. Bad cops are getting the baddest imaginable rap, and may be put to death. Imagine your god of choice, and imagine these cops sacrificed on their altar to expiate the crimes of American racism. Go ahead and make them scapegoats. Go ahead and freight this one with as much grievance and resentment as you want. And then give them the death penalty. That’s what’s going to happen anyway, isn’t it? So why not freight it with meaning? The legal system has its own inertia, and all of the biggest players are going for the maximum penalty in this case. I hope the lynching of these ultra-guilty police officers expiates the unique American guilt for centuries of racist lynchings and discriminations against minority groups. ---
**Author:** ![Junior\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Junior\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Junior_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/2 "2020-05-29T03:58:34Z")
I’m not sure what Baal has to do with anything, but I can’t disagree that police that are involved in racist murder should be brought to account. Also, I don’t think you can be scapegoated for a crime that you’re caught on video committing. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/3 "2020-05-29T04:00:42Z")
They aren’t going to be killed; it’s highly unlikely they’ll even be punished. They’ll go right back to murdering people without punishment or restraint once the fires die back down. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/4 "2020-05-29T04:05:46Z")
Minnesota abolished the death penalty more than a century ago. Even if the cop is convicted of murder (50-50 at best, imo, for the one that did the deed, much less likely for the ones who stood around and smirked), he’ll get life in prison at most. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/5 "2020-05-29T04:16:13Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > Minnesota abolished the death penalty more than a century ago. Even if the cop is convicted of murder (50-50 at best, imo, for the one that did the deed, much less likely for the ones who stood around and smirked), he’ll get life in prison at most. Hopefully in general population with all of the cop haters. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/6 "2020-05-29T04:24:10Z")
Most likely they’ll at most just be fired and then quietly re-hired by some other department later, as is standard practice. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/7 "2020-05-29T04:28:21Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Hopefully in general population with all of the cop haters. So, you’re on the side of vigilantism? That’s no better, really, than supporting someone, say, a cop, who murders someone. There’s a reason the state got out of the killing business. Oh, and what’s your solution to dealing with those in prison who kill someone you think should be killed? How should they be rewarded? Are you going to take into account the reason they’re in prison in the first place or is this a “let’s spring the killer I like” deal? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/8 "2020-05-29T05:52:17Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I hope the lynching of these ultra-guilty police officers expiates the unique American guilt for centuries of racist lynchings and discriminations against minority groups. I have a hard time properly reading what you’re saying here: Are you being sarcastic and \*don’t \*think they’re guilty? Do you think they _shouldn’t_ face criminal charges? Are you so pig-stupid you think it’s OK to call the (only hypothetical, at this stage) judicial punishment of criminals “lynching”? Please, enlighten me. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/9 "2020-05-29T06:30:58Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > So, you’re on the side of vigilantism? That’s no better, really, than supporting someone, say, a cop, who murders someone. > > There’s a reason the state got out of the killing business. > > Oh, and what’s your solution to dealing with those in prison who kill someone you think should be killed? How should they be rewarded? Are you going to take into account the reason they’re in prison in the first place or is this a “let’s spring the killer I like” deal? I’m 100% behind “murderers don’t get special treatment depending on who they are”. Are you against equality in punishment? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/10 "2020-05-29T06:40:57Z")
Call me an idealist but I don’t feel we have to make a choice between whether we kill black people or kill police officers. I can imagine a system where nobody gets killed. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/11 "2020-05-29T07:01:06Z")
I understand the anger, but what I really, really want is for accountability and the rule of law to prevail. I want the police officers (plural) involved investigated and charged in accordance with their level of involvement in the incident (which, as noted, was literally committed on camera). I want them to go to trial and not to be let off just because “we have to support our boys in blue”. I don’t want vengeance. I want justice, and for justice to be seen to be done. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2020, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/12 "2020-05-29T07:31:17Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > I’m 100% behind “murderers don’t get special treatment depending on who they are”. Are you against equality in punishment? Don’t misrepresent what I said. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Call me an idealist but I don’t feel we have to make a choice between whether we kill black people or kill police officers. I can imagine a system where nobody gets killed. Yep. > [@Gyrate](#): > > I understand the anger, but what I really, really want is for accountability and the rule of law to prevail. I want the police officers (plural) involved investigated and charged in accordance with their level of involvement in the incident (which, as noted, was literally committed on camera). I want them to go to trial and not to be let off just because “we have to support our boys in blue”. > > I don’t want vengeance. I want justice, and for justice to be seen to be done. Again, yep. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/13 "2020-05-29T08:23:31Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > So, you’re on the side of vigilantism? That’s no better, really, than supporting someone, say, a cop, who murders someone. > > There’s a reason the state got out of the killing business. > > Oh, and what’s your solution to dealing with those in prison who kill someone you think should be killed? How should they be rewarded? Are you going to take into account the reason they’re in prison in the first place or is this a “let’s spring the killer I like” deal? I don’t give a shit what happens to murderers in prison. Sorry if that horrifies you. They shouldn’t get privileges like protective custody. Throw them in gen pop. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/14 "2020-05-29T09:09:06Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I don’t give a shit what happens to murderers in prison. Sorry if that horrifies you. They shouldn’t get privileges like protective custody. Throw them in gen pop. We don’t refrain from barbarism and cruelty because others are good. We do it because **we’re** supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/15 "2020-05-29T09:30:31Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > We don’t refrain from barbarism and cruelty because others are good. We do it because **we’re** supposed to be. Fuck 'em. I’m not gonna lose any sleep if anything happens. If Minnesota still had the death penalty, I’d be fine with that. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/16 "2020-05-29T09:47:29Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I understand the anger, but what I really, really want is for accountability and the rule of law to prevail. I want the police officers (plural) involved investigated and charged in accordance with their level of involvement in the incident (which, as noted, was literally committed on camera). I want them to go to trial and not to be let off just because “we have to support our boys in blue”. > > I don’t want vengeance. I want justice, and for justice to be seen to be done. This. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/17 "2020-05-29T09:50:07Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Fuck 'em. I’m not gonna lose any sleep if anything happens. If Minnesota still had the death penalty, I’d be fine with that. Hey, you do you, man. As long as you don’t actually hurt or kill anyone, obvs. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/18 "2020-05-29T12:55:46Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Go ahead and make them scapegoats. Scapegoats? Dude kneeled on a guy’s neck until he died, while police officers stood by and supported his choice. They aren’t scapegoats. They may not have invented the idea of racist police brutality, but they willingly participated in it. While I am politically opposed to the death penalty, I don’t generally weep for murderers who are executed. Particularly when they are caught on tape, identified during the act, and admit to their actions. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/19 "2020-05-29T13:25:44Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I have a hard time properly reading what you’re saying here: > > Are you being sarcastic and \*don’t \*think they’re guilty? > > Do you think they _shouldn’t_ face criminal charges? > > Are you so pig-stupid you think it’s OK to call the (only hypothetical, at this stage) judicial punishment of criminals “lynching”? > > Please, enlighten me. Afaict, they are totally guilty. The case has already taken on the heated public aspect of a lynching. A death sentence may be warranted and lawfully carried out, but it will nonetheless have the character of a lynching in my mind. But it is the reverse of the usual situation- the cops may as well have lynched a black man on television, only times have changed and they aren’t getting away with it, but instead are going to be dragged through the papers and the newsfeeds for all to see before they are executed. I’ll leave it to others to judge whether I am pig stupid. Sending them off to cruel pagan gods seems appropriate, and I do honestly hope all of this can amount to some kind of turning point in race relations such that minority groups get treated with basic respect and dignity in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641/20 "2020-05-29T13:33:15Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Scapegoats? Dude kneeled on a guy’s neck until he died, while police officers stood by and supported his choice. They aren’t scapegoats. > > They may not have invented the idea of racist police brutality, but they willingly participated in it. > > While I am politically opposed to the death penalty, I don’t generally weep for murderers who are executed. Particularly when they are caught on tape, identified during the act, and admit to their actions. I mean it in the sense of representatives of all the racist fucks who have done similar things over the decades. Maybe scapegoat isn’t the right word… they’d take a goat, put tokens with the sins of everybody in the tribe around its neck and send it out into the desert… eh, what’s a better word? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacrifice-bad-cops-to-baal-to-expiate-american-racism/854641.md?page=2)