phillykid
Premier Member
Registered on
May-16-2002
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Message #174726 posted by phillykid (Info) May 08, 2008 22:37:20 ET
In Reply to: Re: Philly beatings posted by umberto (Info) May 08, 2008 21:34:02 ET
Just because I don't think the cops should be allowed to beat or kill suspects does not mean that I empathize with the criminal element or that I see them as victims. The laws are what they are and simply allowing cops to break the laws that they are sworn to uphold is just inviting trouble. Cops are not all good, there are dirty cops and what's to stop them from taking contract hits and just saying that the person they assassinate was a criminal? Or what's to stop them from beating someone just because they didn't like that person and then later saying that the person was a drug dealer? It's patently stupid to just have blind faith and assume that cops if given absolute authority to do whatever they please on the streets would not ever abuse it.
Civilization requires laws and people who enforce laws should be expected to follow the laws otherwise they are no different than any other gang who beats and kills people they perceive to be a threat. I never said those guys were poor victims or that cops in general are bad. Just because I believe that people should be allowed due process as mandated by the Constitution of the United States of America doesn't mean that I am against cops or that I am shedding tears over those scumbags.
Violence begets violence. If cops are allowed to just beat and kill suspects, perps will be more likely to try to shoot cops rather than be arrested. If my belief that violence is a bad thing even if it's for the purposes of revenge means I have my head up my ass well then I'll just keep it there. What does this beating accomplish? Does it magically bring victims back to life or does it just satisfy some bloodthirsty violent gang mentality that if you hurt one of ours we will hurt you 10 times worse.... a mentality that just continues in a cycle of escalating violence that doesn't serve anyone, least of all the innocent citizens caught in the middle of it.
Increase prison sentences for violent offenders and repeat offenders. Actually try to create an environment for rehabilitation of criminals for criminals who can be rehabbed. Improve the police response time and the police presence in high crime areas. Try to bring in new businesses to areas near the hoods so that people can find work, provide family planning clinics in these areas. If people can't afford food they certainly won't buy condoms and there will be more births into unsuitable households. Pay cops more so that more people will want the job thus making the position more selective. Put money into after school programs so kids have something positive to do rather than run around on the streets. Perhaps we should try some of the above before turning the police force into some state approved gestapo.
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