Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - Police

[Rhiannon12866]

As nationwide protests over the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are met with police brutality, John Oliver discusses how the histories of policing and white supremacy are intertwined, the roadblocks to fixing things, and some potential paths forward.

[Jamastiene]

1. Everyone is freaking out over the phrase, "defund the police."

Have they never played Sim City 2000? Besides, government does that back and forth and tweaks that budget, along with many others, all the time.

"Defund the police" does not mean what I think most people think it means. I honestly think what most people think is that means get rid of police altogether. In reality, I think people just want the police to be less "predator" like, as mentioned in the video, and less militarized.

When the Covidiots were demanding reopening their states, they showed up with loaded weapons in hand. The police showed up with no riot gear and did not escalate the situation. Even in some situations that DID get heated, the police never had that look of fear on their faces and they did not escalate or attack them.

Fast forward to the #blm protests, police came out the door dressed in full riot gear, brought along many of their military weaponry, and escalated simple exchanges of words to attacking and arresting the peaceful protesters who were marching. Plus, they had that look of fear I see so many of them have in videos where they are attacking black people. I wish I could find the video where they were arresting and beating up on a black kid. That cop drew his gun straight away and his hands were shaking. They do that a lot. They get a look of fear in their eyes when they are going after black people. I don't know why that is, but it sure looks like it to me. I'm no psychologist, so I don't know the reasons. I just know that I notice it in a lot of those video.

The police did nothing about the looters. They were so busy arresting protesters because they did not like what the protesters were saying to them. There have been numerous videos of protesters being arrested simply for telling them they were being over the top and to ask them to quit attacking. They were specifically attacking media as well, but that is a whole other topic that should be addressed on its own.

Shouldn't the police have been across town doing something about the looters instead of attacking protesters/marchers just because they didn't like what they were saying or what speed they were walking? That, in and of itself, is a major problem. They need to prioritize and quit bullying the peaceful protesters AND the media.

I never knew the history of the police. They started in America specifically to control black people. I never knew that.

[cayugafalls]

4. You are spot on. Very well said.

The cops fear POC because of people like Grossman and their inherent racism. Grossman teaches them that they are fighting for their lives and they have a duty to protect themselves to go home and that the people they encounter are the enemy and are trying to kill them. The police that take the warrior training leave feeling as if they are at war against the people they serve and protect.

They are told it is OK to kill. To hesitate is to die. It is why Philando Castile was killed. If you watch the video, office Yanez, who took Grossman's class, react within seconds. He does not hesitate. He simply kills Castile before he even had a chance to get his license out of his pocket.

There needs to be a complete restructuring of the police departments and their training.

A lot of work needs to be done.

[TomCADem]

2. This video hits the nail on the head.

Kr

[cayugafalls]

3. John Oliver is quickly becoming an important voice.

This is a great and important show. Should be required viewing for lot of people.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. And he makes powerful points that the mainstream news can't

Rachel and Lawrence can't use the language he does, or show that powerful closing footage. But I agree, everything he said on this show needs to be heard by everyone...

[BigmanPigman]

5. I can't watch more than 4 minutes

before I have to stop laughing and let the important stuff he is saying sink in, then I watch some more.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. I know what you mean! But his humor only adds to his narrative

The issues he covers are important and serious, but his humor - and irreverence - make them entertaining!

[BigmanPigman]

16. For many years (during Bush2)

I got all my news through Jon Stewart since the humor was needed to deal with the reality. It kept me sane.

[Rhiannon12866]

23. And I remember hearing Jon Stewart saying that exact thing

That there were folks out there who got their news watching a comedy show - and now I'm one of them!

BTW, I had the honor of being in Jon Stewart's Daily Show studio audience back in 2008! It really was cool, much smaller than it looked on TV and Jon couldn't have been nicer. He took audience questions before the show and one lady asked about his notes, so he made a point of giving them to her afterwards...

[BigmanPigman]

24. That's a cool souvenir...

He was always scratching away on those papers/props. I think his show launched many successful careers too.

[SunSeeker]

6. K & R

[Martin Eden]

7. Bookmarked, thanks! n/t

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Omigod. Everyone must see.

Especially the last 15 seconds.

“You all better feel lucky that we are seeking equality and not revenge.”

[generalbetrayus]

14. Sadly, that is precisely what a lot of racist white people fear.

I remember seeing an interview with some small town white woman who was terrified that if Obama won the Presidency in 2008 that it would result in a program of African-American revenge (and "revenge" was the word she used) on white people like her.

[McCamy Taylor]

10. Powerful!

[theaocp]

12. The ultimate question: what should the role of the police be?

As a teacher, I ask myself this all the time for my own profession. We don't reflect on the specific duties they should execute and instead pile responsibilities upon them, expecting more from less. Reallocate police resources into mental health expertise, domestic dispute mediators, juvenile interventionists, etc. Redefine and simplify. Oh, and of course, this means taking away the toys.

[VWolf]

13. Everyone should be required to watch the final 90 seconds of this

Especially those more concerned with looting than with police injustice.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. A longer version of the woman's powerful speech was posted here:

How can we win
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017586731

[cp]

15. One of his best

Brings clarity to our turbulent times, as well as context and history. How we got here, as well as what we can do.
The voice of the woman at the end is ringing in my ears.

[Rhiannon12866]

22. That was the perfect way to end the show - from a viewpoint that John can only describe

Apparently this was an excerpt from a slightly longer video that was also posted here today:

How can we win
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017586731

[niyad]

17. This should be required viewing for every police force, every politician. . Everyone.

[LymphocyteLover]

18. Kick! Excellent episode.

The bit about a "perfect call" totally cracked me up

[Rhiannon12866]

21. He really is the best, he's more informative than a lot of news, and he does it with humor!

Besides, the news shows which don't have an entire half hour to devote to one issue could never get away with what John has to say!

[smirkymonkey]

25. Wow. That was really powerful.

Great show. Thanks for posting, Rhiannon.

[Rhiannon12866]

26. He really is excellent, gives us a wealth of information, but with humor

[Quixote1818]

27. K and R

[2naSalit]

28. I heard that same lady on

NPR today on This American Life or The TED hour. It is well worth hearing again. I'm glad I got to see her making her argument in this video, she makes the point quite succinctly.

[Rhiannon12866]

29. Apparently it's an excerpt from a slightly longer video that was also posted here

It's good to hear she's making the rounds, she definitely deserves to be heard!

How can we win
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017586731

[2naSalit]

30. Thanks, I missed that. ...nt