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1. 463676+(OP)[view] [source] 2020-06-05 15:10:12
The police don't exist to protect the general public, they exist to protect rich people and their property. Politicians know this, and they allow the police to project an aura of fear because it helps them maintain control of the population with a relatively small force.

The US is a plutocracy: it's a country governed largely by the rich, through lobbying, gerrymandering, and a constant information war to convert the least intelligent voters to their side. There's a reason why people who are bad at evaluating facts objectively and often believe in conspiracy theories, and also those who are rich, tend to vote for one particular side.

replies(1): >>danari+i6
2. danari+i6[view] [source] 2020-06-05 15:43:25
>>463676+(OP)
Maybe this is how it is.

Most of us believe it's not how it should be.

And it's definitely not what the law says it is.

replies(2): >>463676+E6 >>082349+k22
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3. 463676+E6[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-05 15:45:13
>>danari+i6
I agree. What worries me is that the law seems to be ignored by authorities. Thus, we need to think about whether the authorities should have authority in the first place. They like to wave the banner of the constitution, but only when it serves their purpose and narrative.

I'm in favour of direct digital democracy, rather than powerful politicians who refuse to act.

replies(1): >>082349+u22
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4. 082349+k22[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-06 06:30:05
>>danari+i6
Be careful with asking people to do what the law says.

King (Martin, not Rodney) said[1] "[a]ll we say to America is to be true to what you said on paper".

Kennedy suggested[2] a world "where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved".

If he were alive today, I'm sure JFK would have half a mind to ask "how could you elect such a schoolyahd president?"

[1] https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/ive...

[2] https://nationalcenter.org/KennedyInaugural.html (incidentally, Earl Warren has an interesting history; he once became Governor of California by winning both the D and R primaries)

replies(1): >>danari+SQ3
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5. 082349+u22[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-06 06:32:05
>>463676+E6
The "Bob Roberts" movie has aged well.
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6. danari+SQ3[view] [source] [discussion] 2020-06-07 02:21:07
>>082349+k22
I mean, yeah, obviously the law is not a perfect guide to what is moral or just.

My point was that in many cases, the police are not even making it up to that standard. They are breaking the law and their own rules in order to punish the protesters for daring to challenge their (the police's) perceived right to be above the law.

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