Difficult Civil Rights Question

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I don't know what you really feel about this situation because you've not shared with us why you think the way you do,

Actuially I have. You're just not freaking listening. You've worked yourself into such a lather screaming "RACISM!" that you're willing to completely overlook the issues I've raised.

Originally Posted by Aliantha

...I would never agree that it's ok for a police officer to be an active officer and be a member of a hate group at the same time...

I think we've got that now. I don't expect you to agree. You're so wrapped up in special-interest identity politics that the principle I'm saying is at stake here escapes you completely.

Originally Posted by Aliantha

It takes something very special to be a cop, and someone who can believe that it's ok to feel superior to another whole race doesn't have that special thing that you need to have to be a cop.

That sounds noble and high-minded, but you can't just fire a cop for "not having a special thing", any more than he can arrest you and charge you with "looking suspicious".

Originally Posted by Aliantha

To add to that, the state has a responsibility to act in the best interests of all citizens. How can the state be acting in the best interests of all citizens if it allows some of its citizens to be put in a position where they are open to victimization?

That's "begging the question". Obviously the state can't "act in the best interests of all its citizens" all the time, because those inteterest are so frequently in conflict. That is why we have laws...to try to settle those conflicts equitably, and using objective standards that most people can understand.