T4tD: Stupidity again?

It [stupidity] has to stop but are we up to the challenge?

Sadly we have so many people that for some reason seem to act but not really think and that is a sad reflection upon our society. But we need to see if we agree on what stupidity is. I would think that all would agree on the following.

First – the Minneapolis MN police officer (Derek Chauvin) who held his knee and body weight on George Floyd's neck is most likely the poster child for ignorance at the best and stupidity at the worst. We can only imagine that he and the other police officers involved will hide behind the belief that they were following approved restraint policies. It can only be argued . . . a) the officers involved were in deep fear of their lives [but that doesn't appear to be valid] or b) the officers were just stupid because they didn't realize you shouldn't do that type of a restraint for over a minute or two . . . or c) they were on drugs of some sort and didn't realizing what they were doing. Now I really would like to see all law enforcement officers treated with respect but they must do the same to those who they serve [all of us]. If they can't, then they need to find another job that they can do. Second – the protesters who became violent and then started fires to some buildings and participated in looting of stores. They demonstrated the other face of stupidity – thinking that anger makes it okay to do something harmful when they don't like what is happening. Until all in our society know and embrace that two wrongs don't make a right. Wrong is wrong. Third – is the 'shame on us stupidity' where we see wrongs happen and possibly speak up, but don't take action. For the first two that we shared, charges should be pursued, justice is truly needed. But for the third one listed – that is an even greater challenge on us as a society. People saw what was happening to George Floyd, some complained and many filmed but no one stepped in (it appears) to stop what could have – should have been stopped. I look forward to the day when people have a true sense of what is wrong and can take immediate action when it is needed.

What will help is when our leaders join in and help ensure the change we need to see . . . (accountability and justice), does happen.

Now, I know in the above that I may have oversimplified some aspects and there could be some valid perspectives to understand. I will ponder this further and hope that others will comment as well. Thanks in advance for any feedback that you may provide.

For example – I assume some say our law enforcement officers are in such challenging situations, accidents do happen. Yes I agree but they like medical resources can't make bad mistakes – lives are at stake. Those that don't think, that stumble down the path of stupidity need to step up. And if we slip into that, we too need to recognize wrong and take action that help because all lives matter.