Hastings Forum

Disturbing footage of so many killings of black people in front of our eyes.
Like animals lined up for deliberate slaughter.
Taser them multiple times in a Police cell and then shoot them repeatedly
until the bullets run out.
Or do it on the streets when they are trapped in their cars.
How utterly disgusting - next call out the National Guard to restore order.
This is a case of trigger-happy Police unable to control their emotions.

Richard wrote:How utterly disgusting - next call out the National Guard to restore order.
This is a case of trigger-happy Police unable to control their emotions.

I think you will find the US population are desensitised to this level of self inflicted harm and hatred so they are probably never going to get to change it.

Their society is fractured into two main tribes who seek to demonise one another and end up in a stalemate where atrocities like mass shootings are defended by politicians in the pay of the gun lobby.

Any kind of holding the power bearers accountable is unlikely while they protect their own and keep only those who support their own mindset in internal positions of power,

The country is far from a beacon of freedom - more like a warning to others on what not to do.

Now if we turn the same scrutiny on ourselves, are we going the same way?

Do we have a polularly elected leader demonstrating gross incompetence while the ministers line their own pockets?
Do police use excessive force on peaceful protestors with impunity?
Do polititians spend their time svoring political points or trying to work together to improve things?

Thank goodness firearms are mostly outlawed or we may not be so far from what you see in the US.

The question here is - how do we get back on track? Do you have a master plan to get society working they way you want it to?

Just asking.

Hello UncleB,

I appreciate your commentary.

Turning to our own country, and the points you raise:

1. 'Do we have a popularly elected leader demonstrating gross incompetence while the ministers line their own pockets?'
I believe this has always been the case and is part of the political landscape, both here and abroad.

2. 'Do police use excessive force on peaceful protestors with impunity?'
Yes! It happens here too but actually the Police have no legal basis to use force on peaceful protestors. Even when disruptive, if the actions are not violent towards police, themselves or other members of the public, the Police have no powers to use force.
During the Extinction Rebellion protests, Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, encouraged the Met to take a firm stance and use the full force of the law.
But (as above) unless violence was used they had no powers to intervene forcibly.

3. 'Do politicians spend their time scoring political points or trying to work together to improve things?
Unfortunately (as we witness) they are goaded (at Question Time) and naturally respond by ridiculing the opponent who attacks them.

At least the latest U.S. president seems to have recognised institutional racism.
Chauvin, the former police officer who knelt on Floyd and killed him was found guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.

President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris called the Floyd family after the verdict. Mr Biden was heard saying that "at least now there is some justice".