This is the story we can't stop talking about today: TPM Muckraker's "New Orleans Cop Explains How Police Gunned Down Unarmed Civilians In Post-Katrina Incident." It details the account of Officer Michael Hunter of the post-Katrina shootings of civilians by law enforcement on the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans:
"As the unmarked [Louisiana State Police] car pulled to a stop, Officer A, without warning, fired a shotgun at Ronald Madison's back as Madison ran away in the direction of the motel. Defendant HUNTER immediately got out of the car and went to where Ronald Madison was lying on the ground. Ronald Madison was alive, but appeared to be dying. He was lying on his side, with two officers standing nearby. Neither defendant HUNTER nor either of the other officers searched Ronald Madison for a weapon.
As Ronald Madison lay dying on the pavement, Sergeant A ran down the bridge toward Ronald and asked an officer if Ronald was "one of them." When the officer replied in the affirmative, Sergeant A began kicking or stomping Ronald Madison repeatedly with hisfoot. Sergeant A appeared to be striking Madison's torso with as much force as he could muster. Defendant HUNTER charged toward Sergeant A, who backed off from Madison. As defendant HUNTER walked away, an officer standing nearby appeared shocked that HUNTER had confronted Sergeant A."
Two people died and four were wounded. For a long time, the 2005 events on Danziger Bridger couldn't be confirmed. Yesterday, Hunter pleaded guilty yesterday to taking part in a cover-up. The Times-Picayune says prosecutors appear to be laying the groundwork for more charges for the officers involved, including civil rights charges.
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Simply amazing! Those officers should spend a lot of time in jail and be forced to have bunk mates that they incarcerated.
Our sister, who was stranded in New Orleans, says that wasn't the only incident. Black Water operatives were also in the city, shooting at people.
More light on this awful tragedy (and the other ones) NOW! Here's to Mayor-Elect Landrieu to pick an awesome and inspirational new Superintendent of the NOPD that will purge the bad cops like the poo from crawfish and attract truly honorable folks that want to serve, protect and be supported by the populace and tourists of New Orleans. (my future home)
I wonder what will happen when they are sent to Angola?
A few simple rules...
If you can't stand the sight of blood...don't be a doctor.
If you are easily made sick by air travel...don't be a pilot.
If you afraid of open water...don't be a crab fisherman.
If you are a sadist...don't be a policeman.
Here ends the lesson.
Actions of this sort should always be punished as swiftly and as publicly as possiable. But I think one must step back and understand how this could happen. The NOPD, along with the FD etc, had been working round the clock for days on end trying to save people, without help from the State or Federal Governments. They were pulled from this mission because of addicts were robbing hospitals and pharmacies. Mixed in with all of this were people taking food, water and anything else that could help with surival. Mixed in with all this was the Mass Suffering of the people at the Superdome and Convention center and what you got was the complete breakdown of society. People snapped, horrors occured. It happened in the US.
Let us not forget the big picture. Why no one was held criminally responsiable in how our Local, State and (especially in my mind) the Federal Government FAILED the people of the Gulf Coast.
This is one reason why I hate my Government. For allowing it, and now currently for not making this an issue in our National Dialogue and Court Systems.
For some reaon I could not edit the above post. For perspective on my comments please listn to this interview with Mayor Ray Nagin. Most people have never heard this interview in its entirety.
http://www.atypical.net/mm/nagin.mp3