Sean Bell, the latest victim of police brutality, was buried today here in New York. In case you haven't heard what happened yet, Sean Bell, was leaving his bachelor party with two friends hours before his wedding. A cop, who apparently suspected he was going to get a gun after talking/fooling around with the club's bouncer, followed him. Sean Bell and his friends got in his car and as he was maneuvering out of his parking spot, accidently bumped the cop then proceeded to fire into the car, reload, and keep on firing until 50 shots had wounded Sean's two companions and killed Sean. 
This is just one of many examples of how police abuse their power. This is not the first time the NYPD has taken actions like this and it won't be the last. This is a classic example of the elements of stereotypical rascism, corruption, and incompetance that police all over America and even the world, have come to represent. It is also a classic example of how the police are just as bad as the "thugs" they are supposed to take down in that they don't think when they take actions like this. What's worse is that cops who take these type of actions often face little or no consequences because the prosecutor claims that police judgement shouldn't be challenged and the jury eat it up. It is these reasons that communists, anarchists, and socialists hate the pigs. I personally see pigs as the 'protectors of capitalism' and they are really only necessary to supress all out class war/struggle. I am not saying that cops are all bad, and granted they do solve rape and murder crimes, but they're oppressive nature far outways their crime solving one and disgusting actions like this prove it. Crime solving should be left up to communities, because the risk we take with oppressive pigs and their brutal ways are just as bad as the crimes themselves.
This is just one of many examples of how police abuse their power. This is not the first time the NYPD has taken actions like this and it won't be the last. This is a classic example of the elements of stereotypical rascism, corruption, and incompetance that police all over America and even the world, have come to represent. It is also a classic example of how the police are just as bad as the "thugs" they are supposed to take down in that they don't think when they take actions like this. What's worse is that cops who take these type of actions often face little or no consequences because the prosecutor claims that police judgement shouldn't be challenged and the jury eat it up. It is these reasons that communists, anarchists, and socialists hate the pigs. I personally see pigs as the 'protectors of capitalism' and they are really only necessary to supress all out class war/struggle. I am not saying that cops are all bad, and granted they do solve rape and murder crimes, but they're oppressive nature far outways their crime solving one and disgusting actions like this prove it. Crime solving should be left up to communities, because the risk we take with oppressive pigs and their brutal ways are just as bad as the crimes themselves.
I'm as against a police state as you are but I want my police to be tough on criminals. Sure, there will be exceptions and perhaps some of this needs to be toned down. Nonetheless, police are better then ever at tracking criminals (look at all of the terror plots that have been foiled; it hasn't been because of Bush's illegal wiretapping but rather good, old police work). My heart goes out to victims of bad cops and police brutality but at the same time I recognize the need for an organized law enforcement agency.
I'll be honest; I think the idea of a community running law enforcement is bullshit. Look at how justice is run in some southern towns where everyone knows one another! Communal militias don't solve anything. Rather you get more crimes that go unpunished because the consensus between people is that perhaps certain crimes are "necessary". Justice? Please.
Thanks for the comment on my site Leftyhenry.
What is Dave talking about with his red flag? A red flag waving tough on crime guy? What criminals are we talking about? Innocent immigrants? People like Lynn Stewart, Mohammed Yousry, and Abdel-Satter, sentenced to prison terms for defending their clients? Jose Padilla, guilty of no crime?
No, the police constantly brutalize minorities and the poor, whose only crime is being Black and/or poor and trying to get by in the only way this grossely unequal society has allowed them. The state tracking criminals is just a step away from the already existing practice of tracking leftists, radicals and trade unionists for practicing their elementary rights.
It is a betrayal of all principle for leftists to start allying with the police agaisnt "criminals!"
I don't ever remember a police officer ever repremended for brutality. I would say 99% of the time, they are cleared. They can do what they please.
No worries, Nicholas. You can speak directly to me. I don't bite... hard...
If you check out my blog you will see I am very much against immigration laws. Moreover, I disown police racism as much as I'm sure you do also (in the words of Rage Against the Machine, "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses").
However, unlike you I have no Utopian illusions that police are unnecessary and should be abolished. I've already pointed out how poorly communal "justice" works in obscure southern towns (in fact, the KKK was originally a community-based militia before it became a widespread organization. Sure, the police go too far sometimes... But at least we, the people can hold them accountable directly (i.e. they are a named, public entity) rather than an enigmatic "communal militia" as so many on the left suggest we should have.
While I do agree that poverty and social conditions cause a lot of crime, it is not the cause for all. As unbelievable as this may sound *gasp* some people simply wish to harm others. Why do you think there are capitalists in the first place? The easiest way to deal with these individuals is to have a police force, one which is completely accountable to the public (it's worth noting that we elect sheriffs and police chiefs in the United States).
Is our system perfect? No. Should modern day American police be held to greater accountability? Absolutely! But think of the implications before you make these outlandish statements generalizing that all police are evil and a threat to the left. If that were true, Henry might have a difficult time justifying Mao's China. ;-)
50 shots 50 good reason why they shot and no one can give a reason why they should not have. You say he was unarmed sure no gun but a 2000lbs vehicle coming down on you is Just as bad as firing a 50 caliber handgun at point blank range. Nice company he keep both guys who were also hit have long records of illegal firearms and violent crimes. And why were they at a strip club that is being investigated by the police for illegal activities some say wrong place wrong time. I say Bells was not as innocent as The great (bull shit ) rev. sharpton would have you believe. I worked in the some of the toughest areas in NY were ppl yell police brutality when there cracked out brother/father/son/daughter/mother or who ever who just punched 3 cops in the face gets maced and or tasered.You know what you ppl got a problem with they way cops do things get off your lazy asses get on the job and face down that guy with a gun who just killed 5 ppl and you can tell him kindly to put down his gun so you can take him to jail to spend the rest of his life. I wear a bullet proof vest to work and help and try and save ppl I never met. think you can do better get on the job and show me how its done. My bet is you will ether change your opinion bitch out of the academy or just get your head blown off cuz you wanted to talk it out with a psycho. Or better yet you dont like the police then when shit hits the fan in your life dont call 911 handle it yourself