I would bet a years pay that if I was selling cigarettes on the street....

[delta17]

I would either receive a warning or a slap on the wrist. I am an average looking white guy, jeans, ball cap etc. I have had plenty of interactions with the police due to a lead foot and my youthful bar adventures. Almost every time, the officers treated me like a human being. I can't tell you how many times I have been pulled over and gotten a warning. This is white priveledge, and it just hit home today. I thought for sure someone would have to answer for Eric Garner's death.

I don't think police officers are out to get minorities because they can. I do think that many people, police and civilians alike, see black men as dangerous, and make subconscious decisions based on this.

Sorry for the rant, but something needs to change.

And where are the civil libertarians on this? Glen Beck? If the ATF choked out a white man for selling ammo, there would be a shitstorm of epic proportions.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. If the ATF caused a bruise on ANY white supremacist/teapartier, same thing, there would be

hell to pay.

At the same time, we are inching closer and closer to the day when those of us who demand not only justice as in Brown but income justice as well, we will all be enemies of those who ultimately own the police.

[SweetieD]

2. "I don't think police officers are out to get minorities because they can." I think you are wrong.

I think you are wrong on a few fronts.

first, it isn't "minorities". Its mostly black men. Period. Out west, yes hispanics face a disproportionate amount of police brutality but by an large the targets are still black men.

Second, i think police officers target black men in particular "because they can". It is easy pickings. Most black men don't get combative or talk back. Most are extremely deferential (yes sir, no sir) precisely because they know that the police can kill them at will and get away with it, or else the police can trump up a bunch of bogus charges and they can do nothing. So yes police target them for tickets for minor stuff like jaywalking, loitering, minor traffic violations because it is an easy ticket to write to fill your quota for the month.

[delta17]

5. It's one of those Two Americas things.

I have a young son, and I worry about certain things as he grows up. I worry about him trying drugs, driving without a seatbelt, or getting in the car with a drunk driver. OTOH, the idea that he might get shot by the police has never crossed my mind. I can't imagine what that must feel like.

[rock]

7. Although your entitled to your opinion

I think you are wrong and the OP is correct. I'm entitled to my opinion as well.

[KT2000]

3. what if Cliven Bundy was black

the militarized police would be called in from several states.

[Man from Pickens]

4. Civil libertarians are with us on cop violence

not so much on the race angle

Search on any libertarian name along with Ferguson and you'll see what I mean - it's all about police violence and how it is an extension of war policy that has come home to roost.

[nomorenomore08]

6. "...all about police violence and how it is an extension of war policy that has come home to roost."

Which is also true, albeit not the whole story.