(09-03-2020 09:56 AM)Rice93 Wrote:  "terrible druggie"? "douche"?

I guess you feel that anybody who has a problem with addiction to narcotics is a horrible, irredeemable person? Seems pretty harsh for a problem that is unfortunately so prevalent.

Well, if it even remotely contributes to their untimely death, and especially if it provokes the interaction with police.... then yes, they are unredeemable (on this earth anyway) because they're dead... and while 'they' may not be horrible, the events ostensibly caused by their actions certainly are horrible.

I get your point, but so much of these arguments stem around people's choice of words and then some form of blame shifting to that. As I suspect you'd agree, I've put forth more concrete plans about making changes to police interactions than most politicians from either side... and more than anyone else on here, including those who support the idea. You engaged me somewhat, but not that much. I fought 'your' (meaning the left's) fight FOR you (meaning the left).

Drug addiction is a horrible thing... no doubt... and treatment is expensive, and does almost no good if someone goes right back to the same situation... which they almost always do... especially if they are poor and live in public housing. I've actually suggested ways to stop/reduce this. They are somewhat radical and need lots of vetting... and I have suggested that some area where this is seen as an absolute PRIORITY, whether it be Portland or LA or NYC or Chicago or St Louis adopt some version of it....

But instead we seem to want to criticize people over their choices of descriptors... as if calling this guy something more sensitive would bring him back to life.

I was just reading an article about a guy killed in NY back in March, in part due to having a spit shield applied due to excessive spitting near the onset of COVID. The guy apparently had a history of mental issues and outbursts, and in addition to his prescription medications, was taking PCP. The police were called because he was running through town, naked.

So what is the answer?
- Don't bother with naked people running through town?
- Don't protect police officers from potentially infected people with spit shields, which are little more than the same masks we are being asked to wear?

Without the PCP, according to the family... he's a really nice guy who doesn't bother anybody.

Rather than protesting police, why aren't we protesting drug dealers? Where is this unbridled passion towards the SINGLE common denominator in ALL of these things, including the desperation?