Libertarian, Liberal Lawmakers Share Concerns About Police Tactics in Ferguson
As many Americans turned to Twitter TWTR +2.67% to follow the chaos unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., some members of Congress — currently on August recess — tiptoed onto social media to weigh in as well.
The reactions came from across the political spectrum, with many calling for peaceful protests but also expressing serious concerns over the tactics used by police. The confrontations between police and protesters came after the weekend shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
Rep. Justin Amash (R., Mich.), a conservative with libertarian leanings, was one of the first to tweet, calling the reports from Ferguson “frightening” and asking “Is this a war zone or a US city?” He said the government was escalating tensions with use of military equipment and tactics.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) tweeted: “This is America, not a war zone. The people of #Ferguson just want answers. We all want answers.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), an avid user of social media, tweeted a photo of people holding a sign that read, “Peaceful protest is a right.”
Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt (R.) and Claire McCaskill (D.) also used Twitter to assure constituents they were working to resolve the situation. Mr. Blunt said he was “staying in contact w/ local, state & federal officials & urge everyone to please be safe in #Ferguson,” while Ms. McCaskill saying she was “continuing to work the phones to de escalate the tense and unacceptable situation in Ferguson.”
https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/08/14/conservative-liberal-lawmakers-share-concerns-about-police-tactics-in-ferguson/?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_news
Hearkens back to Kent State, except that was the national guard.
The militarization of our local police forces is downright scary. These people have inadequate training, mental or intellectual capacity to exercise the appropriate restraint with regard to their new military grade weapons. We all know most municipal police are friends and neighbors who got their jobs through social connections, not a system of merit. This military surplus equipment is nothing more than new toys for a bunch of neighborhood kids. It’s out of control and grossly unconstitutional. And you can’t blame Obama for this…it’s been going on for decades.
“mental or intellectual capacity”? Just where did you get that factoid from? Now I can’t believe anything that you posted because you clearly are making this up.