Anti-police violence
Here.
American police are way too quick to resort to violence. The figures on the number of people killed by police in the US versus the rest of the developed world are startling. We need real reform here.
But demonizing the police as "thugs," "pigs," and so on is no path to reform. It is the path to low-level warfare between the police and those most alienated from our current system. The more hostility towards the police is promoted, the more reason the police will have to fear being killed when dealing with such hostile people, and the more quickly they will resort to violence. And in this struggle, there is no doubt who will come out ahead: The police have resources that those prompted to violence against them simply lack.
American police are way too quick to resort to violence. The figures on the number of people killed by police in the US versus the rest of the developed world are startling. We need real reform here.
But demonizing the police as "thugs," "pigs," and so on is no path to reform. It is the path to low-level warfare between the police and those most alienated from our current system. The more hostility towards the police is promoted, the more reason the police will have to fear being killed when dealing with such hostile people, and the more quickly they will resort to violence. And in this struggle, there is no doubt who will come out ahead: The police have resources that those prompted to violence against them simply lack.
Bravo. +1 doesn't quite do it. Civilization is a thin veneer. Persistent howling amped up rhetoric endangers it.
ReplyDeleteI don't say any Rothbardian hoped for this, because none did. But it seems to be a logical consequence of what they advocate. This shooter had a grievance. There being no authority under whose aegis grievances can be ranked, the Rothbardians cannot deny its legitimacy. He submitted his grievance to himself, judged, and took action. Again, under what authority can Rothbardians deny him this? None. Under their scheme there is no authority. And we can easily imagine that there was a separate complaint and judge at the local bar anyway, who decided all this. Three angry drunks following every step of the private law playbook. Their prescription is -- private defence. The cops could have hired protection! Usually their codswallop just amuses. Sometimes it doesn't. Today it doesn't.
Thanks Ken!
DeleteOr, the police may simple not respond.
ReplyDelete"Or, the police may simple not respond."
DeleteTo emergency calls in black neighborhoods?
I'm someone who, in general, supports laws that allow civilians to reasonably resist the unlawful actions of cops. Would those kinds of laws be a bad idea, in your opinion?
ReplyDeleteResist in what sense? And resist what sort of actions?
DeleteThere is a technical fix that might dramatically reduce unlawful violence from either party when the police confront a suspect.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. And equally importantly cops have to respect the fact that it is legal for others to record them.
DeleteIn general it should be legal to record with "one party consent". In other words, I can legally record my dealings with you without needing your consent.