What should be done in Ferguson

[07D675CO]

In general, not specific to this case, I do have to say that not all people get the same opportunities in life. I see it everyday with these rich kids I work with. They graduated college with D's because their parents paid 100% of tuition and they never had to carry a job or do much other than go to college. I on the other hand came from a single parent home and grew up in a bad neighborhood and no way could my family afford to sent me to college. So I had to get academic scholarships and work full time while in college. Then I see the rich kids act like we had the same opportunities....not true...I'd of loved to go to college and only worry about my studies and then pass with a D. When you get that diploma they don't care if one got it from getting B's and then other got it from D's....although no academic scholarship will allow someone to pass with D's; had to keep a 3.0gpa or risk losing scholarships.

So then you look at other poor families and can you really say that they have full responsibility for where they are born and what they are born into? You think the poor kid (white, black, hispanic, etc) has the same opportunities being born into a bad situation. Some come from abusive households, parents that don't care, drugs, and crime/gangs...going to school is surviving that day and not so much to learn (how it was for me).

Some kids are raised racist because that is all they know and not so sure that is their fault as children. They are pretty much brainwashed into it since hey day they can talk

Then take it to the next level. Does a kid in poor Africa who barely has drinkable water really responsible for that? Or was that child just not fortunate enough to be born where we were; USA. Same goes for many families across our nation. I so wish everything was equal, but it is not.


Not attacking you personally Jkol, just something I think about a lot and something to discuss.

I agree and this is something I was not expressing as well in much earlier posts. Sometimes I stop and think what would it be like if I had been born elsewhere or to different parents that didn't raise me the way they did. Things would be infinitely different, even if I had been born in the US just somewhere much poorer like LA instead of CA. America has one of the lowest scores for children moving up a station from their parents. So if you are born poor you are almost surely going to stay poor. Despite all these so called opportunities. Life involves a lot of luck but starting far up the food chain makes a huge difference.

Certainly people can make it out but that isn't the norm. It certainly should be though.

On the subject of working in school. My father in law will only hire people that worked through school. Because he knows it builds character and appreciation for hard work. I have to agree. I worked through school and I believe it taught me better life skills than if I had mommy and daddy pay for it all.

[bulldog]

I agree and this is something I was not expressing as well in much earlier posts. Sometimes I stop and think what would it be like if I had been born elsewhere or to different parents that didn't raise me the way they did. Things would be infinitely different, even if I had been born in the US just somewhere much poorer like LA instead of CA. America has one of the lowest scores for children moving up a station from their parents. So if you are born poor you are almost surely going to stay poor. Despite all these so called opportunities. Life involves a lot of luck but starting far up the food chain makes a huge difference.

Certainly people can make it out but that isn't the norm. It certainly should be though.

On the subject of working in school. My father in law will only hire people that worked through school. Because he knows it builds character and appreciation for hard work. I have to agree. I worked through school and I believe it taught me better life skills than if I had mommy and daddy pay for it all.

Well I have seen it first hand growing up. For a example I knew a kid who his grandpa was in a gang, his father was in same gang, older and middle brother were in same gang so the odds he also ends up in the same gang is very high. Why, because that is what he sees as normal and doesn't know much different. Not like a 5 year old is able to distinguish what is right and wrong when he sees his own father doing this. Of course this kid ended up in same gang and has been in and out of jail/juvee his entire life. Sad thing is he is a smart kid, but his enviroment started out crappy and he never had the proper guidance to get out of it. Only reason I was smart enough is I have a awesome mother, but a lot of kids don't have this support so they are taught wrong since babies.

Ebola and Malaria are another issue where I see people take for granted where we are. Notice very little was done for Malaria (a cure was only just started to be worked on recently) even though thousands die from it...because it manily occurs in poor regions. Nothing was done until it hit the countries that have money and then it was a problem. Same with Ebola; it was out of hand in poor Africa regions, but the minute one case turned up in USA it was a huge issue. Again because we are a richer country...and the only reason we are here is most of us were lucky enough to born here in USA. I fear what it would be like to be born into a poor African family where living conditions are so terrible it is common to see people die all around you. I basically just got lucky because none of us get to choose where or to who we are born.

[JKOL]

Good for both of you for working through school. I was lucky enough to only have to work during the summers, but guess what I still worked hard through school and I continue to work hard. A good work ethic isn't something that all rich kids lack, you both are generalizing quite a bit acting as it if is. Much the like the ignorant clowns in the video are generalizing when they say every white person is racist.

I know it wasn't directed at me, but the comment about mommy and daddy paying for it all means absolutely shit to me. It just makes people that say that sound like jealous haters. I didn't get mad at the minority students at my high school that had the same or a worse GPA than me that got scholarships simply based on being minority students, so why are you pissed that some people didn't have to work through school just because you did?

I understand not everyone starts at the same place in life, but guess what, life isn't fair. That isn't my fault nor is it my problem. I don't get mad at brain surgeons for making more money than me, they were likely born with a brain and aptitude for a career that makes them more money than me. Plus, it is a safe bet that they worked really hard to get where they are.

Regardless of where the kids in the video started in life and what their situations are, staying in that life and station has far more to do with their garbage attitudes, lack of morals, and general desire to get into trouble rather than go to school and get an education. I have zero to do with their situations they were born into, nor do I have anything to do with why they stay there. Opportunities are out there, but not for a group like this.

[bulldog]

Good for both of you for working through school. I was lucky enough to only have to work during the summers, but guess what I still worked hard through school and I continue to work hard. A good work ethic isn't something that all rich kids lack, you both are generalizing quite a bit acting as it if is. Much the like the ignorant clowns in the video are generalizing when they say every white person is racist.

I know it wasn't directed at me, but the comment about mommy and daddy paying for it all means absolutely shit to me. It just makes people that say that sound like jealous haters. I didn't get mad at the minority students at my high school that had the same or a worse GPA than me that got scholarships simply based on being minority students, so why are you pissed that some people didn't have to work through school just because you did?

I understand not everyone starts at the same place in life, but guess what, life isn't fair. That isn't my fault nor is it my problem. I don't get mad at brain surgeons for making more money than me, they were likely born with a brain and aptitude for a career that makes them more money than me. Plus, it is a safe bet that they worked really hard to get where they are.

Regardless of where the kids in the video started in life and what their situations are, staying in that life and station has far more to do with their garbage attitudes, lack of morals, and general desire to get into trouble rather than go to school and get an education. I have zero to do with their situations they were born into, nor do I have anything to do with why they stay there. Opportunities are out there, but not for a group like this.

Wow, this is really your answer huh

I ain't hating on you at all man,...I prefer to have come from the bottom and worked to where I got; has made me into what I am now. Not saying anything about your situation (hell I didn't know you didn't work through college...sheesh) because I am sure most people would choose that route over growing up poor...my point is nobody gets that choice and it is hard to judge what others have went through unless you get to be in their shoes....I really was not generalizing that all rich kids are that way....sorry you took it like that, because I only meant not everyone has same opportunities...good or bad.

I guess you didn't get what I was trying to say or just didn't care to. Of course life ain't fair, but your attitude that it isn't your problem is sad....but you are right and just be lucky you didn't have to deal with the problems some people do. Not sure where you got I was crying over this when I clearly stated people in other countries have it way worse. I am very fortunate to have what I do and I cherish that daily

[JKOL]

Wow, this is really your answer huh

I ain't hating on you at all man,...I prefer to have come from the bottom and worked to where I got; has made me into what I am now. Not saying anything about your situation (hell I didn't know you didn't work through college...sheesh) because I am sure most people would choose that route over growing up poor...my point is nobody gets that choice and it is hard to judge what others have went through unless you get to be in their shoes....I really was not generalizing that all rich kids are that way....sorry you took it like that, because I only meant not everyone has same opportunities...good or bad.

I guess you didn't get what I was trying to say or just didn't care to. Of course life ain't fair, but your attitude that it isn't your problem is sad....but you are right and just be lucky you didn't have to deal with the problems some people do. Not sure where you got I was crying over this when I clearly stated people in other countries have it way worse. I am very fortunate to have what I do and I cherish that daily

I didn't take it personally, but acting like a kid that is rich has every advantage is silly. Rich kids can have garbage parents as well, single parent households, divorce and bad parenting isn't only a poor person problem. I know people that had crap parents and they turned out great, and I know people that had great parents and turned out to be garbage adults.

I know what you are trying to say, but I am not going to buy into it. I can only accept responsibility for my own actions. I am not responsible for the situations of others simply because I grew up in a middle class family. My mom was a broke single mom teaching elementary school. I was lucky I still had my dad around and later I ended up with a great step dad as well. I know I was lucky in that regard, but just because someone wasn't as lucky doesn't excuse them when they are hateful, angry, and horribly misguided people.

I don't look down on people for growing up differently than I did, but I do look down at people like those in the video, because they are ignorant, hateful people. Much the way I look down on the KKK, Westboro Baptist Church, or any other hateful group. They aren't helping their cause by burning down their own neighborhoods, burning down minority owned businesses in the process. They are more damaging to their own cause then any number of racist white people. They are hurting themselves and their families and communities.

Ask those that participated in the LA riots how that fight for their cause helped their neighborhoods. It is a safe bet those communities are far worse than they were before the riots took place which is the same fate for Fergusson. It is just sad those living there that burned their own community to the ground while the world watched and collectively wondered WTF these people were thinking, they were too blind by their rage and hatred to see they were only pushing themselves further into a hole.

Take a look at people from Mexico or from Central/South American countries that go through hell to get to the US to imrove their situations in life. They were all dealt a crappy hand by being born in 2nd/3rd world countries, but they bust their asses and fight to overcome a bad start. They don't sit and bitch about everyone keeping them down. I work in construction and it is booming all over the country right now, including right here in CO. There are plenty of opportunities for those willing to work hard. People from other countries have figured it out, it is sad that many right here in the US haven't. And while they sit on the sidelines and bitch about no opportunities, millions of hard working people from other countries are arriving every year and grabbing those opportunities that others say aren't available.

[bulldog]

I didn't take it personally, but acting like a kid that is rich has every advantage is silly. Rich kids can have garbage parents as well, single parent households, divorce and bad parenting isn't only a poor person problem. I know people that had crap parents and they turned out great, and I know people that had great parents and turned out to be garbage adults.

I know what you are trying to say, but I am not going to buy into it. I can only accept responsibility for my own actions. I am not responsible for the situations of others simply because I grew up in a middle class family. My mom was a broke single mom teaching elementary school. I was lucky I still had my dad around and later I ended up with a great step dad as well. I know I was lucky in that regard, but just because someone wasn't as lucky doesn't excuse them when they are hateful, angry, and horribly misguided people.

I don't look down on people for growing up differently than I did, but I do look down at people like those in the video, because they are ignorant, hateful people. Much the way I look down on the KKK, Westboro Baptist Church, or any other hateful group. They aren't helping their cause by burning down their own neighborhoods, burning down minority owned businesses in the process. They are more damaging to their own cause then any number of racist white people. They are hurting themselves and their families and communities.

Ask those that participated in the LA riots how that fight for their cause helped their neighborhoods. It is a safe bet those communities are far worse than they were before the riots took place which is the same fate for Fergusson. It is just sad those living there that burned their own community to the ground while the world watched and collectively wondered WTF these people were thinking, they were too blind by their rage and hatred to see they were only pushing themselves further into a hole.

Take a look at people from Mexico or from Central/South American countries that go through hell to get to the US to imrove their situations in life. They were all dealt a crappy hand by being born in 2nd/3rd world countries, but they bust their asses and fight to overcome a bad start. They don't sit and bitch about everyone keeping them down. I work in construction and it is booming all over the country right now, including right here in CO. There are plenty of opportunities for those willing to work hard. People from other countries have figured it out, it is sad that many right here in the US haven't. And while they sit on the sidelines and bitch about no opportunities, millions of hard working people from other countries are arriving every year and grabbing those opportunities that others say aren't available.

You are just making it seem way easier than it is. Statistics have proved it is not as easy to get out of poverty as it seems. Here is a good article by CBS on it:



Poverty In America: Why It’s Difficult To Climb Out Of Poverty <-click

Snipet from article:

The “American Dream” gives Americans hope that if they work hard, they will eventually be successful and they will “climb up the ladder.” But, has the “American Dream” failed to deliver to many Americans? Indeed.
In today’s society, it has become nearly impossible to “climb the ladder.” Those mail room jobs that later lead to a person becoming the President of the company rarely exist anymore. Many minimum wage workers work just as hard as anyone else, if not harder. But, their hard work is rarely rewarded with a raise or a promotion. Furthermore, our socioeconomic status is an unfortunate label that tends to stick with a person.
Poor people are often viewed and treated differently — as if they were a small segment of the American population. As if being poor was their fault…
To make matters worse, besides the way that they are viewed, poor people are often pushed further into poverty due to restrictions, lack of available funds, and unexpected financial burdens that they have no way to prepare for.


P.S. Not saying crazy riots are the answer though or I condone that....only meant in general people don't get dealt the same hand and it is not as easy as people think to get out and become a product of their environment. I have not followed the Fergusun incident enough to speak on it, so this was a general statement from the one I underlined at first from you that stated "full responsibility for where they are in life "full" being the key word here....I can say responsibility, but not always full responsibility


Few more article to show it is not easy to get out of poverty:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/op...anted=all&_r=0

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/17/167449...out-of-poverty

[GMR]

When I first heard the story, I thought "that's f'd up". Then I heard about him being wanted for a robbery. Since there is no footage released of said robbery, I immediately grew suspicious that the police were maybe just trying to corroborate a backup story. Then I saw the guy's step-dad tell a mob to burn the city to the ground. Aha, now it all makes sense. Just because you live in poverty doesn't mean you have to be a terrible person. Not an excuse. I don't claim to be from a hard knock life, but I know lots who scratched their way through college, some made it out of poverty and are living the american dream, some aren't and are strapped with tons of debt living in poverty. Difference is that the people I know that aren't are not out robbing stores...

Why does everything have to turn into "blame others"

[bulldog]

When I first heard the story, I thought "that's f'd up". Then I heard about him being wanted for a robbery. Since there is no footage released of said robbery, I immediately grew suspicious that the police were maybe just trying to corroborate a backup story. Then I saw the guy's step-dad tell a mob to burn the city to the ground. Aha, now it all makes sense. Just because you live in poverty doesn't mean you have to be a terrible person. Not an excuse. I don't claim to be from a hard knock life, but I know lots who scratched their way through college, some made it out of poverty and are living the american dream, some aren't and are strapped with tons of debt living in poverty. Difference is that the people I know that aren't are not out robbing stores...

Why does everything have to turn into "blame others"

For sure!

Well that is partly my point....look how messed up this guys step-dad was to say that. I am sure this attitude is what this guy was raised by. Not right of course, but I bet this person was just not raised correctly. For all we know his step-father robs too so that is why this fool thought it was ok....just saying I have seen this all my life growing up in bad places....kids really had no clue what right and wrong is.

The little I know on the case I will say...you attack a cop you should understand their will be consequences. Not even just because they are a cop, but that is how authority works! Again not sure on details, but anyone attacks a cop I feel little sympathy because that is authority and it has to be followed....I do wish less lethal force could be used, but I would understand a officer should not have to risk their life for some criminal attacking them....in reason of course

I never meant that it was easy, but it is impossible if you don't even try. See my Mexico and Central/South America example, many may never escape poverty, but they have a far better chance than someone not even trying.

I doubled my salary from a few years ago, by taking a chance and changing careers and busting my ass. It wasn't easy, but it paid off. We can all improve our position in life, we might not go from poverty to upper middle class, or middle class to a 9 figure net worth, but if we don't try because it isn't easy then that is on the person not willing to try.

Well you do understand that the Mexico situation you are referring to is illegal; they sneak over here to America. They risk getting deported so it is not like they broke through this barrier. Then it just hurts American more because they are not paying taxes. Then they will work for less than others so employees will use illegals over citizens just to save money. Mexico actually is improving their economy faster than us; go view how much the peso is now worth to thee dollar and compare that to 20 years ago. The peso is almost worth as much as the dollar now....because they have went up and we have went down.

You took a chance and it worked out, but didn't seem like you had a lot to lose. One wrong chance for them could result in them being homeless.

[JKOL]

When I first heard the story, I thought "that's f'd up". Then I heard about him being wanted for a robbery. Since there is no footage released of said robbery, I immediately grew suspicious that the police were maybe just trying to corroborate a backup story. Then I saw the guy's step-dad tell a mob to burn the city to the ground. Aha, now it all makes sense. Just because you live in poverty doesn't mean you have to be a terrible person. Not an excuse. I don't claim to be from a hard knock life, but I know lots who scratched their way through college, some made it out of poverty and are living the american dream, some aren't and are strapped with tons of debt living in poverty. Difference is that the people I know that aren't are not out robbing stores...

Why does everything have to turn into "blame others"

It isn't hard to find the video of Michael Brown robbing the store. Even the main stream media showed it a lot.

[JKOL]

You are just making it seem way easier than it is. Statistics have proved it is not as easy to get out of poverty as it seems. Here is a good article by CBS on it:



Poverty In America: Why It’s Difficult To Climb Out Of Poverty <-click

Snipet from article:

The “American Dream” gives Americans hope that if they work hard, they will eventually be successful and they will “climb up the ladder.” But, has the “American Dream” failed to deliver to many Americans? Indeed.
In today’s society, it has become nearly impossible to “climb the ladder.” Those mail room jobs that later lead to a person becoming the President of the company rarely exist anymore. Many minimum wage workers work just as hard as anyone else, if not harder. But, their hard work is rarely rewarded with a raise or a promotion. Furthermore, our socioeconomic status is an unfortunate label that tends to stick with a person.
Poor people are often viewed and treated differently — as if they were a small segment of the American population. As if being poor was their fault…
To make matters worse, besides the way that they are viewed, poor people are often pushed further into poverty due to restrictions, lack of available funds, and unexpected financial burdens that they have no way to prepare for.


P.S. Not saying crazy riots are the answer though or I condone that....only meant in general people don't get dealt the same hand and it is not as easy as people think to get out and become a product of their environment.


Few more article to show it is not easy to get out of poverty:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/op...anted=all&_r=0

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/17/167449...out-of-poverty

I never meant that it was easy, but it is impossible if you don't even try. See my Mexico and Central/South America example, many may never escape poverty, but they have a far better chance than someone not even trying.

I doubled my salary from a few years ago, by taking a chance and changing careers and busting my ass. It wasn't easy, but it paid off. We can all improve our position in life, we might not go from poverty to upper middle class, or middle class to a 9 figure net worth, but if we don't try because it isn't easy then that is on the person not willing to try.

[07D675CO]

Good for both of you for working through school. I was lucky enough to only have to work during the summers, but guess what I still worked hard through school and I continue to work hard. A good work ethic isn't something that all rich kids lack, you both are generalizing quite a bit acting as it if is. Much the like the ignorant clowns in the video are generalizing when they say every white person is racist.

I know it wasn't directed at me, but the comment about mommy and daddy paying for it all means absolutely shit to me. It just makes people that say that sound like jealous haters. I didn't get mad at the minority students at my high school that had the same or a worse GPA than me that got scholarships simply based on being minority students, so why are you pissed that some people didn't have to work through school just because you did?

I understand not everyone starts at the same place in life, but guess what, life isn't fair. That isn't my fault nor is it my problem. I don't get mad at brain surgeons for making more money than me, they were likely born with a brain and aptitude for a career that makes them more money than me. Plus, it is a safe bet that they worked really hard to get where they are.

Regardless of where the kids in the video started in life and what their situations are, staying in that life and station has far more to do with their garbage attitudes, lack of morals, and general desire to get into trouble rather than go to school and get an education. I have zero to do with their situations they were born into, nor do I have anything to do with why they stay there. Opportunities are out there, but not for a group like this.

Since you wanted to take it personally. I'm not jealous just saying they didn't have the same struggles or obstacles to overcome. Getting handouts doesn't make you cherish it as much or appreciate it as much. The fact that you don't care about others in your community is very telling. Seems a lot like I got mine, F you if you can't get yours. Instead of lets make this better for everyone. Generalizing but something I see with those that didn't have to earn it.