Johannes Mehserle To Be Charged With Murder - Is the Sky Falling?

Johannes Mehserle, right, appeares in the East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, in Minden, Nev. Mehserle is being held on charges related to the New Year's day shooting of an unarmed man on an Oakland, Calif., train platform. Mehserle, 27, waived extradition to California early Wednesday during a brief court appearance in Minden, Nev., and was being held without bail on a warrant charging homicide.

Source: Star-Telegram, Photo: AP

Lyrics from Snoop Dog:

As I look up at the sky
My mind starts trippin, a tear drops my eye
My body temperature falls
I'm shakin and they breakin tryin to save the Dogg
Pumpin on my chest and I'm screamin
I stop breathin, damn I see deamons
Dear God, I wonder can ya save me
I can't die Boo-Boo's bout to have my baby
I think it's too late for prayin, hold up
A voice spoke to me and it slowly started sayin
"Bring your lifestyle to me I'll make it better"
How long will I live?
"Eternal life and forever"
And will I be, the G that I was?
"I'll make your life better than you can imagine or even dreamed of
So relax your soul, let me take control
Close your eyes my son"
My eyes are closed

[Chorus:]

Murder... murder was the case that they gave me
Murder... murder was the case that they gave me

I hadn't expected to continue writing about the Oscar Grant III shooting much, but this is the #1 news story in the Bay Area right now. That and the lack of a State budget thanks to the idiot actor playing at being Governor. Well color me dumbfounded because I can't recall the last time a law enforcement official was arrested and charged for shooting someone they'd labeled a perp. There are protests going on in Oakland right now as I write. I''m not sure if the fact that Mehserle quit has something to do this or what it is really. Was it the video? Pressure from the community? If so why for this one incident and not all the others? 

There are numerous cases where police have shot and killed innocent people with no consequences for them. The leading cause of death amongst younger Black men is still at the hands of other Black men. Again I ask, where's the protest and outrage over that! Why won't people come forward with information they have about the criminal activity they see?  I really don't know what to say other than if a trial proceeds, there is likely to be a venue change with not one Black juror and the officer will be acquitted. I'm highly skeptical he will serve any prison time either way, but stranger things have happened. I just feel for the lives of both daughters should they grow up without sufficient male influence and love. Life isn't fair though. The justice system is only just for some. 

Oscar Grant III Shooting Updates

Last night a few people took civil disobedience into idiot territory by clashing with the police. This was supposed to be a peaceful protest against the shooting of Mr. Grant, not an excuse to riot. I think sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us and do ourselves more harm than good. Lighting a dumpster on fire is not the way to go! 

The BART Transit Board Meeting was packed this morning. The Board offered a formal apology which wasn't necessarily expected but was the right thing to do. Certain religious and civic leaders spoke out against the actions of the police using what I'd call outdated analogies to previous oppression. I don't think the Rev. Amos Brown of the Third Baptist Church bringing up Emmett Till was appropriate. One did not have anything to do with the other. He's served on the SF Board of Supervisors and should know how to negotiate better politically than that! The only words of common sense strategy-wise was the demand to bring in the offices of Attorney General and the Department of Justice to launch their own investigations into the conduct of ALL the officers on the scene. CBS5 has live streaming footage of the meeting.

Typically when there's an officer-involved shooting against citizens the District Attorney and Police Department work together to shut down any serious investigations because they provide cover for each other. I'm certain this will be disputed but we can look at the results over and over and over again and draw the same conclusions: unless you are wealthy or well-connected you are pretty much out of luck at getting an officer prosecuted. 

So I find it very interesting - and telling - that Officer Mehserle quit instead of answering questions. Usually that "Blue Wall" is activated and if the officer has to respond to criminal charges they are almost always found innocent by using the imminent danger excuse. It's why there was allegedly no video footage at the Fruitvale station for the police to review. So the irony is they couldn't apply their usual spin and legal manipulations to the situation. Watching the numerous angles offered from the several citizen activists who captured the shooting on their cell phones, it's nearly impossible to determine when the officers ever had their lives in danger, but we can clearly hear Mr. Grant cooperating with the police and asking not to be harmed because he has a child. 

Hearing that the officer supposedly has received death threats does nothing to address his contemptible actions. Particularly when this information is released to the press at the same time as the previous illegal activity of the victim. "Healing" is not needed but a set of actions that reflect harsh consequences for the police are. Having the one main officer involved bail out of the process to avoid accountability is not an act of courage or remorse but one of cowardice. 

One caveat: Why are people so outraged by police killing Black men but remain largely inactive in stopping Black men from killing each other?

Let the Sliming Begin

NO ONE DESERVES TO BE SHOT IN THE BACK.

I say this from personal experience.

Boy, that didn't take long. As the amateur but harrowing video of the shooting of Oscar Grant gets played worldwide, the push back by the police begins. Apparently there's no peace for the dead as his arrest record has been released. I already predicted this. The outrage at the behavior of the police is what counts, not the imperfections of the victim. Looking at the video you can clearly see Police Officer Johannes Mehserle fire his weapon and the reaction of those surrounding Mr. Grant. You can hear the crowd that was detained at the station recoil in horror. Again, this is not about Mr. Grant this is about seeking justice. Already there's speculation (and a way of earning jury pool sympathy) the officer may have reached for his taser but pulled his gun instead. Whatever! That indicates serious incompetence! Nice try though. At the very least the officer should be fired. I see a definite payout. Tourism is one of San Francisco's biggest cash cows and this is NOT a good look.

HE HAD A KEY MADE ONLY TO FIND THEY'D CHANGED THE LOCKS!

Roland Burris showed up for the party but his name wasn't on the guest list. Harry Reid and 'em don't have a leg to stand on for trying to block Senator Burris. Blago appointed him and as long as he remains Governor it's his right to do so. Reid will either follow the rule of law OR deal with a primary challenger and likely Presidential smack-down shortly. If Reid wants to start applying an extra set of rules then the Democrats are in even more of a mess than usual. I'm certain the LOCKSMITH has already been called! 

This was the ONE opportunity for this party to not only emerge victorious in an election year but to get it together once and for all. The Republicans are still trying to figure out where its nose is. This of course proves it's not about political party but about the idiots and crooks who are running things. We the people have got to be active in this process. VOTE THEM OUT! 

DOES FEINSTEIN REALLY WANT SOMETHING TO CARP ABOUT?

What is she, the Queen of England? News has surfaced that Obama wants Leon Panetta to head the biggest spook agency in the world. Just remember it might not be his only choice. Panetta has no intelligence experience whatsoever - but is on record for opposing torture. Remember Obama didn't have any experience either. I have no idea if Panetta is the best choice but we're getting Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State when (if) confirmed. Whether we like it or not. So Feinstein is supposedly not pleased about this selection.

Could it be this might affect the business dealings of her husband, Richard Blum who is heavily invested in the Military Industrial Complex? She is yet another Old Guard Democratic party member who rubber-stamped everything Bush wanted and is one of those "liberal in name only" politicians. The profits and unfettered power is very enticing I'm certain. I'd welcome some SERIOUS public scrutiny into all of her associations and how qualified she is for her new position as Committee Chair of Intelligence.  

GAZA DEATH TOLL ISN'T GIVING ISRAELIS PAUSE.

There's nothing like a little bad press to make you dig in your heels! I remember when it was the PLO. Today it's HAMAS. Tomorrow will this be over? There's an expression: the hate that hate breeds.  

Shrub is ending his days picking his nose somewhere in a corner - and preparing pardons! Blair House wasn't booked either.

Israel told Obama F-U before he even got to swear in. Once he's President he promises to have plenty to say. I'm more concerned about what he's going to DO because I'm one of those rabble-rousers who expect my government to be effective and address my concerns.

Meanwhile Black men are killing each other off and terrorizing women and children unfettered. Guns, drugs and apathy do NOT MIX! Where's the protest and outrage for THAT?! It can't just be reserved for when cops use excessive force and kill civilians.