Can you believe this asswipe Holder?
(Yeah... you can... rhetorical question...)
Anyway, here's the asswipe's letter... interspersed with
my "corrections."
* * *
* * *
“Since the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, the
nation and the world have witnessed the unrest that has gripped Ferguson, Mo.
At the core of these demonstrations is a demand for answers about the
circumstances of this young man’s death and a broader concern about the state
of our criminal justice system.
* SINCE THE AUG. 9 SHOOTING DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN, THE
NATION AND THE WORLD HAVE WITNESSED THE UNREST THAT HAS GRIPPED FERGUSON, MO.
AT THE CORE OF THESE DEMONSTRATIONS LIES A CRIMINAL MENTALITY RUN RIOT
THROUGHOUT A COMMUNITY - LITERALLY RUN RIOT.
At a time when so much may seem uncertain, the people of
Ferguson can have confidence that the Justice Department intends to learn — in
a fair and thorough manner — exactly what happened.
* AT A TIME WHEN SO MUCH MAY SEEM UNCERTAIN, THE PEOPLE
OF FERGUSON CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE AUTHORITIES WILL QUELL THE VIOLENCE
AND RESTORE LAW AND ORDER TO THE STREETS OF FERGUSON.
Today, I will be in Ferguson to be briefed on the federal
civil rights investigation that I have closely monitored since I launched it
more than one week ago. I will meet personally with community leaders, FBI
investigators and federal prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Civil
Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to receive detailed briefings on
the status of this case.
* TODAY, I WILL BE IN FERGUSON TO ENSURE THAT
CIVILIZATION RETURNS TO THIS COMMUNITY!
The full resources of the Department of Justice have been
committed to the investigation into Michael Brown’s death. This inquiry will
take time to complete, but we have already taken significant steps.
Approximately 40 FBI agents and some of the Civil Rights Division’s most
experienced prosecutors have been deployed to lead this process, with the
assistance of the United States Attorney in St. Louis. Hundreds of people have
already been interviewed in connection with this matter. On Monday, at my
direction, a team of federal medical examiners conducted an independent
autopsy.
We understand the need for an independent investigation,
and we hope that the independence and thoroughness of our investigation will
bring some measure of calm to the tensions in Ferguson. In order to begin the
healing process, however, we must first see an end to the acts of violence in
the streets of Ferguson. Although these acts have been committed by a very
small minority — and, in many cases, by individuals from outside Ferguson —
they seriously undermine, rather than advance, the cause of justice. And they
interrupt the deeper conversation that the legitimate demonstrators are trying
to advance.
* THE ENTIRE ABOVE PARAGRAPH... I'D DELETE IT.
The Justice Department will defend the right of
protesters to peacefully demonstrate and for the media to cover a story that
must be told. But violence cannot be condoned. I urge the citizens of Ferguson
who have been peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights to join with
law enforcement in condemning the actions of looters, vandals and others
seeking to inflame tensions and sow discord.
* THE CONSTITUTION DEFENDS THE RIGHT OF PROTESTERS TO
PEACEFULLY DEMONSTRATE AND ALLOWS FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER A STORY THAT MUST BE
TOLD. CRIMINALITY IS AFFORDED NO SUCH CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION. THOSE ENGAGING
IN RIOTING... THOSE ENGAGED IN LOOTING... THOSE ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE... AT BEST
YOU FACE ARREST... AT WORST YOU FACE THE USE OF WHATEVER LEVEL OF FORCE IS
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO RENDER YOU NO LONGER A THREAT TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND
THE AUTHORITIES. SNIPERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SHOOT TO KILL IN ORDER TO
PREVENT THE USE OF MOLOTOV COCKTAILS OR OTHER MEANS OF ARSON.
Law enforcement has a role to play in reducing tensions,
as well. As the brother of a retired law enforcement officer, I know firsthand
that our men and women in uniform perform their duties in the face of
tremendous threats and significant personal risk. They put their lives on the
line every day, and they often have to make split-second decisions.
At the same time, good law enforcement requires forging
bonds of trust between the police and the public. This trust is all-important,
but it is also fragile. It requires that force be used in appropriate ways.
Enforcement priorities and arrest patterns must not lead to disparate treatment
under the law, even if such treatment is unintended. And police forces should
reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
* ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES AND ARREST PATTERNS REFLECT
LOCAL CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND. WHAT MAY APPEAR TO BE DISPARATE TREATMENT MOST
TIMES SIMPLY REFLECTS DISPARATE CRIME COMMISSION. OUR POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE
THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST, REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, OR
GENDER. TRUST IS A TWO WAY STREET AND POLICE MUST BE ABLE TO TRUST THAT MOST
CITIZENS ARE HONEST, DECENT, AND GENERALLY LAW-ABIDING. AS TO WHAT CITIZENS
MUST DEMAND OF POLICE... CITIZENS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DEMAND THAT EACH AND
EVERY OFFICER OF THE LAW HOLDS THEMSELVES TO THE HIGHEST MORAL AND ETHICAL
STANDARD. IF ONE DOESN'T SEEK TO STAND ON A PEDESTAL.. ACT AS A ROLE MODEL..
THEN ONE SHOULDN'T SEEK TO CARRY THE SHIELD.
Over the years, we have made significant progress in
ensuring that this is the case. But progress is not an endpoint; it is a
measure of effort and of commitment. Constructive dialogue should continue —
but it must also be converted into concrete action. And it is painfully clear,
in cities and circumstances across our great nation, that more progress, more
dialogue, and more action is needed.
* THE ENTIRE ABOVE PARAGRAPH... I'D DELETE IT.
This is my pledge to the people of Ferguson: Our
investigation into this matter will be full, it will be fair, and it will be
independent. And beyond the investigation itself, we will work with the police,
civil rights leaders, and members of the public to ensure that this tragedy can
give rise to new understanding — and robust action — aimed at bridging
persistent gaps between law enforcement officials and the communities we serve.
Long after the events of Aug. 9 have receded from the headlines, the Justice
Department will continue to stand with this community.
* LONG AFTER THE EVENTS OF AUG. 9 HAVE RECEDED FROM THE
HEADLINES, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE LAW-ABIDING
CITIZENS OF FERGUSON AND THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FERGUSON POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND INDEED ALL FERGUSON EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL.
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