I'm so disappointed in Captain Johnson

[philosslayer]

He was so impressive about a week ago when he arrived on the scene. He was talking to people, and seemed to get what was really happening. But watching him on TV today, he seems to have switched. Now he's just another cop, justifying the ridiculous uses of force we've seen the last few nights. I feel totally deflated.

[conservaphobe]

1. He's there to put a friendlier face on unjustified actions.

It's rather unfortunate.

[roguevalley]

15. here's my take after watching him standing next to nixon

he was not on board with nixon's comments and decisions but was there anyway

he was imported to be the black face of the police. once he was there, they turned 180 to what they were again after only one day of good behavior that this man managed to get from the crowds. I believe he is the fall guy for what they will be doing. Nixon keeps the redneck vote by putting a show with this man on and gets cover for provoking what he hopes is a riot so everyone can be off the hook for assassinating a child. They are provoking riots to help cover the fact that they murdered a kid. They attack michael's character, put a black face on their scam and when it goes to hell Johnson gets the fall.

I think he tried but they won't let him. I think he stays because he might be able to help somewhere, somehow. I don't believe he can. watch the press conference where tricky nixon speaks. His face and manner says it all. I think he's afraid to leave. I imagine he fights when he can but its a done deal.

Something apocolyptic is coming if we don't watch out.

[99th_Monkey]

2. Good Cop/Bad Cop

Same ol', same ol'

[kath]

13. Ayup.

[lpbk2713]

3. He's probably dog tired.

He's been in demand day and night for a week. I don't think
I would be at my peak either under the circumstances.

[Xipe Totec]

4. He's in the classic grilled cheese sandwich position

Getting pressure from the top
feeling heat from the bottom
and just melting in the middle.

[Little Star]

6. He was the one good thing that screwed up department had going for it...

I hope he stays true to himself but he's working for one asshole of a chief.

[951-Riverside]

5. Captain Johnson in a nutshell

I saw through his "act" from day one.

[mulsh]

7. He's a smart man in a bad position. He appears to be doing the best he can to appease all sides.

I have no idea what is going on at the command center, who is calling the shots or who can veto decisions. He's now the face of authority which I think is probably for the best.

I think the police and Governor know ginning up the forces and using excessive force on protesters isn't playing all that well with lots of the country. They don't give a damn. They're going to do it anyway. Does anyone believe that Nixon didn't tacitly approve the release of that video and other bogus info? From my comfy perch in CA it appears these guys are doing everything they can to screw up what ever good Johnson manages to provide.

I think Johnson is aware and has taken the steps he can to calm foiks down. I think he has an overwhelming force of stupid white guys fighting him every step of the way.

[Enrique]

9. Nixon tacitly approved the release of the video?

how so?

[seveneyes]

8. He likely is running on facts, not emotion

It's not his position to please armchair judges and lawyers.

[rollin74]

10. he's doing the best he can with a difficult situation

imo

[TheKentuckian]

11. He is a cop and should have never been put on such a pedestal.

He works for them not us and as long as there is is a "them" they absolutely cannot be trusted.

[CBGLuthier]

12. There are NO black cops. They are all blue and they all stand together always.

Which is why from time to time a black cop beats the shit out of a black man just as well as any white cop.

Blue.

[kath]

14. he was brought in to be a pawn and a scapegoat.

[gldstwmn]

16. In the end he has to do what they tell him to do.

Honestly yesterday he looked like he was ready to give up. What the police are failing to get is that they need less force, not more. The world is watching. This is so embarrassing. The way most of the police talk to people there is disrespectful. I honestly believe Officer Wilson told Michael and Darian to "get the fuck on the sidewalk."
Someone is giving these cops their marching orders and I don't think it's Captain Johnson. It's too bad General Honore isn't available. He could show them how it's done. I have a feeling they don't want any help though. This is how they want it to go down. It's almost like they're operating in some sort of bubble.

[applegrove]

17. I'm getting a unifed message from the leaders and family on the ground:

they want to outside agitators gone and leave behind peaceful protesters. One group of protesters last night even identified an outside group of communist/anarchists that were trying to incite violence and they pointed the inciters out to the police and asked to have them removed. Which the police did. When someone got injured last night the people handed the person over to the police because they had the facilities to get him to hospital faster. There are lines of communication open between the people and the police. They are helping each other. I think Captain Johnson is just representing that.

[951-Riverside]

18. Of course anyone coming in other areas or states will automatically be labeled as an "agitator" now

...and arrested on sight.

Cop: "Where are you from?"
Supporter: "California"
Cop: "You're under arrest"

I have to give it to the powers that be, they are slick when it comes to suppressing dissent and its quite shocking at how many people will help them do it.

There are lines of communication open between the people and the police. They are helping each other.

There is no "each other" or team work here. Its a one way street, they are helping the police achieve their goal of suppression and nothing more.

[Skidmore]

19. Try reading this article.

http://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2014-08/one-way-not-be-solidarity

Dissent is important but sometimes it is out of step and doesn't add to the goals or the message. I had heard reporting of anarchists being present a couple of days ago.

[951-Riverside]

20. Not reading that article.

Its quite simple:

Arrest the looters, arrest the people throwing rocks, shooting and setting fires but leave everyone else alone. Its still an open and free country and it shouldnt matter where someone is from, if they want to fly in to support something then so be it.

For far too long I've seen the term "outside agitator" or "outsider" used as an excuse to suppress outside support and isolate the suppressed from outside help.

We saw that term used a lot by police supporters during the Kelly Thomas protests in Fullerton.