USA Unites Over Sports and Little Else

Fair warning to any and all readers. This post is a tad more cynical then usual. 

The modern political division of the United States arguably began with the Nixon-Kennedy election in the 1960s. Hippies vs. Workers. Left vs. Right. Pro-choice vs. Pro-life. Liberal vs. Conservative. Thanks to our government, political parties, and the mass media this is how most, if not all, questions are framed. There are only two sides to every issue. Rarely, especially over the last decade, do both sides come to a consensus and/or compromise.

Yet there are moments of unity. The people gave a collective cheer for the moon landing. Watched the Berlin wall crumble together through televised broadcasts. They worked as one during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and took to the streets celebrating the death of Osama bin Laden ten years later. Most recently sports fans, from all parts of society, decried the NFL behemoth for failing to negotiate with the professional referee union.

Take a look at the last paragraph. It speaks volumes to the value system we have in this nation. There are a host of issues, both domestic and abroad, that require action. There is unrest in the Middle East. The EU is in dire trouble, and Europeans are rioting in the streets. The recession may technically be over (the GDP has not declined for two or more consecutive quarters), but the aftermath is still baring down strong on the American people. Infrastructure and education are still in decline. Unions are losing their collective bargaining rights. Minorities face new discrimination in the guise of voter ID laws. Debates continue about women's reproductive rights. We can't even agree if health care is a privilege or a right.

The nation has a hell of a time uniting to tackle any of the above, but can rally with the best of them once their precious sport is jeopardized. People flocked to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. The mass media jumped on this story as if it was a cure for cancer. Both candidates for President chimed in as well. All agreed that the professional referees were preferred over the amateurs, and that the NFL should do what is needed to make that happen.

We can agree about referees in a multi-billion dollar industry, but we can't form a consensus about numerous issues that are infinitely more important. Even recent events, like NASA successful landing of Curiosity on Mars, seems insignificant to the masses when compared to the fervor over NFL refs. Americans will unite in times of war. We will marvel at our own progress. And we will most definitely have a fair and balanced football game every Sunday. Everything else is open to endless debate.

People Pay for Pike's Pepper Spraying

On November 18th, 2011, Lt. John Pike peppered sprayed non-violent protestors at UC Davis for blocking a campus road. Below is the video that captured the chaotic scene.

A few months shy of a year later, two relevant events have recently unfolded.

First, the Yolo County District Attorney's Office stated that it will not seek criminal charges against Pike, or any of the other officers involved. Their report concluded, "Viewing the incident through the totality of the circumstances, there is insufficient evidence to establish proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the use of force involved in the November 18, 2011 pepper spraying was unlawful and therefore warrants the filing of criminal charges."

The report also claims that although Pike's actions were, "not objectively reasonable," they acknowledge that he "believed that they and their prisoners were surrounded by a hostile 'mob,' and that the pepper spraying was necessary to clear the pathway so that the officers and their prisoners could leave the Quad safely."

Second, the University of California has agreed to pay a million dollar settlement to the victims. $730,000 will be given to the plaintiffs, and $250,000 will cover the attorney fees.

To summarize, Lt. Pike is not being persecuted, and the tax payer gets to pay for the legal fallout. The only repercussions for his actions was the loss of his job at the University, and the tainting of his reputation from the viral video. I believe this is not enough.

Look at the video above. The hostile mob is not violent. The chaos occurs after Pike sprays down the protesters  Yes. The officers have a difficult job, but the moment any side shows violent behavior their argument is cheapened. As hard as it may have been they could have lifted the protesters up and out by hand. Use as many cops as needed, but do not attack them with pepper spray, rubber bullets, or tasers.

An officer caught using excessive force is nothing new. Cops during the civil rights movement infamously attacked protesters with high pressure water cannons and attack dogs. In the 1990's, Rodney King was beaten by a number of officers who also escaped criminal charges. More recently in Oakland, an officer shot and killed Alan Blueford under very suspicious circumstances. Will we ever see a government maintain a police force that doesn't abuse their power?

Pike, and his bosses at UC Davis, violated the first amendment rights of the protesters to assemble peacefully. If the students had turned violent, then my sympathy and anger would not be so acute. But they didn't. They were sitting and chanting. Pike is seen crossing over the protesters multiple times then casually unleashes the pepper spray. Until police are held accountable, this incident and thousands like them, will continue to destroy peoples faith in law enforcement and government.