1992_05 The Daily Collegian May 1992

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King verdict costs peace, lives,
economy and possible re-election
Adam Breen
I woke up Thursday morning, turned on the TV,
and heard a juror from the Rodney King beating (oops, I
mean justifiable restraint) trial explaining the acquittal
of the defendants. *
"Rodney King was not being abused," she said.
"He was determining the action (of the police officers).
He never lost control until he submitted."
Yeah, right. <
If one unarmed man, whether he is on drugs or not,
can control the action of 10 or more armed police .
officers, I am a monkey's uncle. And unless my sister
has mated with a. primate without my knowledge, I
don't think that is the case.
Despite its flaws, I am a firm believer in the United
Stat**' criminal jiwHc* «y**pm Thi« rimHcinn howpw
is unconscionable.
Even officer Ted Briseno, who at one point in the
beating attempted to restrain one of his fellow officers,
was surprised at the acquittal. He said he believed that
King was dusted on PCP, but the arrest was still a "case
of excessive force."
What does it say about the jury when one of the
defendant is surprised at being fewnd not guilty? How
are young black males in the poorest part of LA
supposed to react when police brutality can't even1 be
proved with a video tape?
Street marches and overturned vehicles were
anticipated when the verdict was first announced, but
who could have expected more than 10 deaths and
hundreds of fires?
-^ Many of the youths shown chanting "no justice, no
peace" on TV were laughing and destroying their
neighborhoods because they could get away with it.
This is a shame, because South Central LA's economic
problems will only be exacerbated by the looting and
arson that has accompanied the protests.
Some residents of the area said "we are hurting
ourselves" and added that Simi Valley (the site of the
triaJ>a^Bever^f^j|l^dhe.$hetar^e^^,) ulK^
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The acquittal of the police officers was not that hard
to believe upon reflection because Simi Valley is a
bedroom community for many police officers. The trial
was supposed to be moved to a site where an impartial
jury could be selected-nice try.
King's chance for a fair trial was about as likely as
him buying tickets to the policeman's ball.
At least the people of Los Angeles can rest assured
that George Bush is in control of the situation. *f
When the jury's verdict was handed down
Wednesday afternoon, Bush said "the court system has
worked-what's needed now is calm." ,
Thank you, oh grand leader, for your decisive    *
leadership in quelling a potential firestorm.
Bush also said that he felt "personal frustration and
anguish" over the decision. Wow, that man really
understands the plight of pour black males..
He wasn't content to just call for calm, however.
At a Thursday morning press co nference, he also
suggested that the protesters show tolerance in this time
of turmoil. He ran away from the podium after that one,
dodging questions and maybe some tomatoes.
I'm not a big Clinton supporter either, but at least
he admitted that saying "don't riot" to an angry mob
was pointless.
"We have to heal this country's racial wounds and
have the Justice Department investigate this case
immediately," hesaid.
Bush said that the Justice Department was
continuing to "look into the situation." They have
"looked into it" for 4 months already George-take some
initiative.
This could be a make or break issue in the
November election. The racial war that is possible in
this country is one conflict that Bush can't orchestrate
from his den in Camp David.
He better show that he cares more about the well-
being of the economy and its effect on poor people than
he has or American voters are going to throw his case
for re-election out of court. *
11 '"Wayse then heTl know how "personal frustration
An eye for an eye
is a bad idea
>d
Scott W. Baker
■iiiriHi un 11 Ti
Isn't it interesting that the mostcommon response
to violence in our society is indre. violence? You'd think
we'd have learned our lesson by now.
Ifs the same thing, over and over. I hit you, so you
hit me. I hit you back, so you hit back harder. Where
will it all end? If it keeps on like this, you know where it
will end. One of us, or both, will die. Who wins?
Rodney King mayas well have been Martin Luther
King, or he may as well have been you or me The
fundamental lesson we must learn in all of this outrage
is that violence is wrong. We cannot return hate for
hate, an eye for an eye, violence for violence, or our
world will continue to suffer.
As I write this column, CNN reports that some
parts of south-central L.A. are on fire, with innocent
motorists beaten and stores looted. More violence is
exchanged for violence. I guess these kids think they're
getting even. I guess that's what all of this is about.
This world makes an institution of vengeance. This
childish, moronic, and ultimately self-defeating notion
that if ydu inflict the same amount of hurt on the person
or persons who hurt you, that somehow this revenge
will set everything straight. Butit never does, does it?
The hateful still hate. The violent arePstill hurtful
long after they "get their turn". Sometimes the
vengeance is carried out on innocent victims, like the
motorists tonight in L.A.
How about some solutions? How about we try to
salvage this world now, before if gets any darker? Who
will stand up fojjrue justice and true peace in this
community?
I'm sure there will be some sort of demonstration,
arranged in the next day or so. There certainly should
be. But of these demonstrators, who will speak out for
love and unity, and who will cry for more division and
mistrust of one another because of color, or position in
~«odety?
\   I will be Watching. I will participate. I say that
above all else, above all of the accusations of racism and
»he political posturing and name-calling and the
blaming that is sure to come about from this, we need to
love one another.
People of all races, faiths, political affiliations, and
shoe sizes attend this university. Let us see a real
coming together on this issue. Instead of rallying
around our outrage (er our outrage e'er one another's
outrage, as the case may be), let us talk of making peace
with ourselves and with each other. But lef s not stop
there. Y
Fresno is a large dty. It has its share of violence
and racial injustice. The police in Fresno have a difficult
jobtodo. Over the course of the next few days and
weeks it may get tougher. At this time, above all else,
they need our support. No, this is not Los Angeles. No,
things are Hot that bad here. But isn't that a miracle?
I want to challenge the people of Fresno to make
their city violerce-free. Things can only get worse if we
do nothing to stop the violence A good relationship
between a cit/^people and police officers is vital in
creating a violelTce-free dty.
Too often, police officers arq looked at as foes by the
public When was the last time you checked your rear-
view mirror on the freeway, hoping that those bright
headlights aren't from a patrol car? What would it be
like if when you saw a police car, you didn't cringe, you
didn't smefl your breath, you didn't check to make sure
your seatbeh was on, you didn't make sure your stash
was well-hidden (I'm sure very few of you know how
that feds), instead, you simply smiled and waved at the
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