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I have been a victim of police brutality, I went to court and the guy was fired and put on probation. The officer or should I say officers where Hispanic and White. I don't think it was racial, I just think they where trying to show how much "powerful" they where and they did just that to a 17 yr. Old. Now that was 7 years ago. But you know what, I live on the border between a really wealthy neighborhood and Chicago and I do understand that they usually don't see blacks walk much less live amongst the wealthy but sometimes they go overboard. How about we get rid of the police and let communities form their own militia-type police, that way they know each other and there won't be any mistaken identity. I support the police, but they have too much power in certain instances and too little power in other(one example would be that bank robbery in California when they where out gunned, or when murderers and rapist are let go due to a minor police mistake.)

I have been a victim of police brutality, I went to court and the guy was fired and put on probation.

You know, I used to think black Americans were way too sensitive to the police thing, but then I had a run in with a dude that didn't care for the idea of me dating "his" girl (he was married to another woman, I was not, and the hell of it is I was just friends with the chick... long story). I got crosswise with that dude and his kid brother, both cops in the same whistle-stop town.

If I had had no special friends or capabilities, I would have been in very deep trouble. I was able to draw on the contacts and skills I gained, mostly in the military. Now, the system may have taken its sweet time, and I may have applied some judicious nudges, but I saw it work in the end. The creep is in prison for the next couple of decades, and his brother is an ex-cop that no department would touch with a bargepole -- his last couple of evaluations were radioactive.

Now, when a friend of whatever color tells me a cop story, I listen very carefully. Maybe a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged, but a conservative gets pretty liberal when he's indicted.

I support the police, but they have too much power in certain instances and too little power in other

I agree, but the problem is telling which circumstance is which. I think that the best thing that we can do is try to get the police to hire the very best people they can, and when one of them doesn't measure up, it's the duty of the department to get rid of them -- and the duty of the citizens to oversee the department's carrying out that responsibility.

For three years while this case was going on and investigators for all sides were tripping over each other (and I was spending $20k a year on my investigators!) I was afraid every time I crossed the border into that town (I talked one of my best buddies into moving!). I was afraid, and I wasn't afraid in combat! Now that the creep that tried to kill, and then jail, me is in prison himself, I no longer fear, it's just another town, but I never will look at a cop quite the same again.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

When I dated a girl in Winnetka, she used to tell me of how the police would pick up any back men (teens) they saw walking North into the town. She said they'd just drive them back South but I kind of doubt it really worked like that. This was in or around only '84-'85, very recent as things go. So it's easy for me to believe it when I hear sad things like this.

I shake my head at it, because we can't go on forever with our cultures divided. Diversity is no strengh, but a curse. Somehow both sides have to acclimate to one another. In America, the acclimation of the Hispanic culture is moving much quicker, mostly due to the fact that there is less reason for animosity between the two cultures. That is, unless they want to blame us for all that "Pirate Stuff" back in the 1700's or so.

Whatever, the only thing I think we can do is to continue to make the arguement towards making society more family and community friendly. As communities progress and grow stronger, become better educated and involved in society, the differences that cause antagonism can be more easily and reasonably addressed and resolved. Still, the leftist assault on family, religion and morality continues to sap our society down to it's very roots. By encouraging and promoting a culture of ignorance among all people, they wipe out any potential progress that could be achieved.

Wish I had a real solution. When I read your story, all I could do is shake my head and think "I've seen and heard similar things, too." We still have a long way to go, and the current culture war isn't doing anything to help us resolve things. Especially inexcusable attacks on our own citizens.

I have hope for the future though. Many of the barriers that existed before between cultures are breaking down. This will help us as communities that preivously were divided will become closer throught their children sharing various heritages. My family has been here since 1635, but only in the past 15 years have we seen over half of the current generation marry outside of their race. This current generation has children that speak some 4 different languages within the United States alone. Basically my point is that time may indeed heel all wounds, but that does not dismiss the injustices committed against our own people in this day and age. I think what happened to you is disgusting beyond words.

Any way, thanks for sharing. I promise I'll cut back on the caffeine. /rant off