‘Write a check to Darren Wilson’: Supporters of Ferguson cop hawk St. Louis playoff tees

[branford]

88. Where am I coming from?

I've been very open about my background and positions in this thread and others.

I would like to see racial disparities eliminated in the criminal justice system and believe the t-shirts are racist garbage, but do not support an "any means necessary" approach, as I find it morally tenuous, counterproductive and often unacceptably criminal.

I recognize that my opponents, even when they are truly horrid individuals with loathsome views, have constitutional rights. Freedom of speech is an indispensable liberal value that should never be compromised.

I recognize the fact that while private companies like Facebook legally need not do business with racists and other bad actors, they normally do not wish to be involved in political disputes and are primarily motivated by financial concerns. I was sincere when I told you to complain, but given the vast swath of horrible items that remain on Facebook, I believe trying to remove the page would be futile. Time and resources are best spent elsewhere.

I also believe that those who purchased the t-shirts represent a minuscule portion of the community, and as a matter of strategy, I have no desire to do anything that could inadvertently provide them with more publicity or a bigger forum for their views.

What I am sad about, however, is that many of my fellow Democrats only stand by their purportedly liberal and progressive views when it's convenient.