Witnesses shocked by fatal shooting by deputy in Oceanside

This is a sad story about a very disturbed young man, named Elwood White who was apparently shot by police for no apparent reason.   :
EXCLUSIVE: Witnesses shocked by fatal shooting by deputy : Oceanside:

It sounds like he was a relatively normal man, and was well-liked.  His family claims they don't understand either .  Of course, we wouldn't expect the family to say anything different.  Maybe we'll learn more later.

I will be interested in hearing the toxicology tests to see if he was under the influence of some drug.  I also hope they do a good autopsy.  Maybe he was having some sort of a stroke that could cause such bizarre behavior.

I also hope that the police have video of the complete situation.  It seems that most police forces have now enabled their officers with portable recording devices.  With all of the many eye witnesses describing and alleging unnecessary force used by the officer to kill the suspect, it would be good to have some "hard evidence" of what actually happened.

It seems to me that police need some training and equipment to handle situations like this.  Maybe a net thrown over the suspect could have subdued him safely.  Spray with a sticky substance to slow him down?  Yes, tazers. pepper spray, and rubber bullets might have slowed the suspect down, but also could have permanently injured him if he was having some sort of medical emergency.

The suspect was clearly outnumbered by a large group of police from Oceanside and Vista. We're they trying to show off to each other how tough they were?   Why would any officer be afraid of a man with a stick in that situation?  Why not shoot to wound, instead of kill?  Why wouldn't they give him emergency first aid after being shot?

I also wonder about the police always having an "internal investigation" after a shooting like this.  It always appears that by doing this, the police are taking the opportunity to "get their story straight" before letting anyone from "outside" investigate and get an independent, unrehearsed description of what happened from each officer on the scene.

VISTA: Cameraman convicted of obstructing police : Vista

I'm amazed that a Jury convicted this guy, and the Judge actually thought there wasn't enough evidence to convict.

VISTA: Cameraman convicted of obstructing police : Vista:

I think US Citizens have the right to take photos/video of any police action.  The police now have cameras on us--but why can't we video them?    Yes, I do understand that the police need our respect and patience when there is a crisis or an "action" underway.  They are often confronted with large crowds of bystanders, who can be more of a problem than the situation they have been called for.

It would have been nice to have a video of what actually happened in this case.  Was the photographer really in the way of the police?  Did they really think the photographer was going to detonate a bomb with his cell phone?    I get the impression that the police just do not want photographers around them, and I think they really wanted to harass this particular one.

I hope they do appeal, and I hope they overturn the conviction -- even though there really is no "sentence" -- I think there is an important principle involved.

The Decline of Violence: Scientific American

It appears that many in the world feel that violence has been increasing and that we are much more unsafe today than people were 50, 100 or 500 years ago.  According to this article in Scientific American, that isn't true.

The Decline of Violence: Scientific American:

I think part of the reason for the public opinion of increasing violence, is that we are more aware of the violence that does occur, because of the tremendous improvement in international news reporting, with video and graphic detail.  Many of the occurrences of violence would probably have never even been discovered, let alone reported in previous decades or centuries.  Family violence, for example, happened, but was accepted, and nobody seemed concerned about it.

Also, I think there are "vested interests" in publicizing the violence that occurs.  The news industry has found that reporting of violent acts increases readers/listeners/viewers, and thus revenue.  The police, judicial, and military industries and their associated lobbies would like to keep the awareness up so they can increase their budgets, numbers of personnel, and/or sell more tools or weapons.

‘Cruel and unusual punishment,’ then and now - BostonHerald.com

I generally do NOT agree with anything that George Will writes.  I'm amazed that he has expressed concern about prosecuting children as adults.
‘Cruel and unusual punishment,’ then and now - BostonHerald.com:
I also hope the Supreme Court agrees that we should not punish children the same as adults.  Judges need to be permitted to use judgment...that's their job!

GREENHUT: Are we sliding toward a police state?

It is pretty clear that freedoms in the US are being eroded.  The war on drugs and supposed war on terrorism has accelerated the loss of rights and freedoms.  It is interesting that many writers and columnists are noticing it also.  Greenhut wrote a very good editorial in today's North County Times.
GREENHUT: Are we sliding toward a police state?

This article, also in today's newspaper describes how police arrested a 6 yr old little girl in her classroom for "throwing a tantrum"...http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57415156-504083/six-year-old-girl-handcuffed-and-arrested-for-throwing-tantrum-at-georgia-elementary-school/
Here is the youtube news report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAAcsy4-Jjk

I can sympathize with the police -- they have legitimate concerns for their own life and safety when encountering unstable people.  I can also sympathize with teachers who have concerns about their own safety and the safety of other classmates when a student is completely out of control in a classroom.  However there must be some other way for our soc

Criminal Code Is Overgrown, Legal Experts Tell Panel - WSJ.com

We need a full and complete overhaul of the US Criminal Code.  Here is another example
Criminal Code Is Overgrown, Legal Experts Tell Panel - WSJ.com:

SAFE California initiative can eliminate the death penalty mess - latimes.com

I think I voted for this in 1977 --because it was supposed to streamline the death penalty process. But I'm not sure how I voted.

SAFE California initiative can eliminate the death penalty mess - latimes.com:

It is now interesting that Briggs now admits it didn't work. I do like the life sentence now.

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