George Floyd: Victim or hero?
We have just passed the fifth anniversary of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. His death set off a series of demonstrations and riots across the nation – some violent. A jury would later convict Officer Derek Chauvin of murder and two other officers of related lesser crimes.
The death also kicked off a call for police reform and gave rise to a national defund the police movement – and to some extent, the Minneapolis police department was defunded. That was also true of police departments in other cities. Proposed partisan reforms were included in what was titled the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021”. Despite the zeal of the moment, the George Floyd Bill never passed in Congress.
At the site of the murder, an impromptu permanent memorial was established with the street being blocked off and a large portrait of Floyd painted on a wall. The memorial in Minneapolis remains, but local merchants are calling for the reopening of the street. A police defunding movement (a nutty idea promoted by radical left-wing Democrats) dissipated due to common sense and a strong public opposition. Floyd’s death also empowered a general anti-police movement. It remains the legacy of the left ever since,
The left-wing establishment deemed Floyd to be a hero – almost to the point of canonization. But was he really? Personally, I never saw Floyd as a hero. Yes, he was a victim of a terrible crime. He did not deserve to die. Videos of his death were heart wrenching.
However, a hero is a person who ACTS with bravery on their own volition for the benefit of others. They are distinguished by their good deeds and positive accomplishments in harrowing situations.
As tragic and unwarranted as his death may have been, Floyd is not known for doing anything heroic in his lifetime. He was not involved in a heroic act at the time of his death. If Floyd were to have a short descriptive tag to his name, it would more appropriately be “petty criminal”—and in one case, not so petty.
Floyd had a criminal record that included multiple arrests and convictions. His offenses included drug charges, theft and robbery. In 2007, he was sentenced to four years in prison on a plea deal for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon during a home invasion. Floyd had held a gun to the stomach of a woman while two cohorts searched the house for drugs and money.
Floyd was arrested in Minneapolis on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. The clerk at Cup Foods was suspicious and notified police. Due to his death, that charge was never litigated – and whether the accusation was true or not has never been determined.
The food store clerk also stated that Floyd seemed “under the influence” and “was not in control of himself”. Floyd had a history of substance abuse. Postmortem toxicology reports showed that at the time of his death, Floyd had both fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system.
Characterizing Floyd as a hero is purely a partisan political narrative. To declare him a hero, however, demeans the courageous actions of real heroes. There is nothing wrong with using Floyd’s death to engage in a dialogue on police brutality. But that does not make him a hero any more than the few others who were victims of police brutality, excessive use of force, or even general racism.
On the fifth anniversary of his death, the media were filled with memorial reports and interviews with politicians, civil rights leaders and family members. In reality, Floyd is no more of a person or a story than the few others who died inappropriately at the hands of police. And yet they remain anonymous.
I am more bothered by those on the left who repeatedly elevate criminals and characters of dubious reputation to some sort of noble victim status. We saw that in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and so many of the other illegal border crossers who have been deported.
Floyd’s death was a notable – albeit rare — example of excessive force by police. It was neither representative of the vast majority of police, nor did it make a hero of Floyd.
So, there ‘tis.
George Floyed was neither. He was a drug attic bomb.
Victim or Hero? Neither. He WAS fing scum. Best thing is the criminal thug is DEAD.
Wrong again, Larry.
He was a criminal who died of drugs while resisting police.
Hero? Hardly. A victim of a cop? Yeah, I’d say so. And I’m not anti-cop or pro cop. Just calling it as I see it.
As life seems to get harsher, crueler for him, the author spews: “I am more bothered by those on the left who repeatedly elevate criminals and characters of dubious reputation to some sort of noble victim status. We saw that in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and so many of the other illegal border crossers who have been deported.” Yeah, and his side just pardons them.
The author is more upset about people mouthing off than murder. That’s a low bar for life’s value. Cold. I am sorry but murder is worse than practicing a little free speech. Guilty or not, black-bagging anyone to a third-world death camp gulag is a heinous crime for you to accept as a legit action and hold as less heinous than someone mouthing off about it. To play politics with it, as the author is, is just rationalizing these policies as proper. Our current deportations are heinous policy apparently supported by the author who is more upset that a victim is seen as a hero. That’s blatantly untrue and just the author trying to make himself feel better over murdering an innocent man. Kilmar is not a hero, he is a victim, he is a symbol, it is wrong and unamerican to subject anyone to cruel, unusual, and illegal punishments without due process. What is American about funding a third-world death camp gulag where people walk in but come out in a box? We pay for that. We will continue to pay for that.
The author likes to have it his way. One set of rules for the left, and the right can do whatever the fuck it wants. He’s up in arms over remembrances of the Floyd effect, but does not raise an eyebrow over the pardons of so, so, many criminals, drug abusers, covid-loan abusers, and cop beaters. Thousands of them. It’s hard to believe his ire only spins left.
I am a liberal and a Democrat. I do not see George as a hero, nor Kilmar. The author is wrong to say: “the left-wing establishment deemed Floyd to be a hero – almost to the point of canonization,” as it has not. The murdered and disappeared are victims of Trump polices that the author claims to love. The author is wrong in assuming how Democrats think. George’s tragedy shined a light on woke; he awoke a sleeping nation to a cause. That cause may be called WOKE, but it’s really just social justice, including racial injustice, discrimination, and systemic inequality. It’s the exact same cause that the author spins to lambast Democrats over systemic racism in urban areas. But George is not the hero of the story, he is a victim, the catalyst, a symbol, that created millions of woke heroes in America.
Millions of us perhaps even including the author. The author actually partakes in some of that over systemic racism, although IMO, his targeting is, as usual, biased against the left. Kilmar at this point is an attempted murder victim of Trump policies and Trump. He may be innocent, he is not guilty, there was no due process, and Trump could fix this with a phone call. That’s inhuman. This is attempted murder heading towards murder in the first degree.
“In reality, Floyd is no more of a person or a story than the few others who died inappropriately at the hands of police. And yet they remain anonymous” says the author who appears to be ready to anonymize George because it bothers the author to no end. “no more of a person.” Sigh. He was a person. The cops are convicted persons. The author is compassionate to those around him and very, very harsh to those who are not. George is a person. Always will be. How his death can become yet another Horist punching bag against the left is delusional. Especially as you whine like a baby at those picking on Trump transgressions of Jesus, the Constitution, and our enumerated rights.
Dunger today started fag pride month. And later you have coonteenth. June has been jijacked by libturds
Hamoneggs is just delusional. I did not start gay pride month, I do not celebrate gay pride month. And calling inn “coonteenth” is a NAZI white trash racist pig thing to say. Not that Hardon is a NAZI white trash racist pig, but he sure likes to sound like one. PBP is the enabler though.
Do you know what they say about people who can’t take a joke? Look it up.
Hammerhead; in what white trash reality is being a racist actually funny? You seem to thrive on racism, sexual perversion. and ad hominem attacks to cover your total inadequacy at debate in the English. Can’t figure out if you have nothing to say or just don’t know how to say it.
If this is what you think is funny, don’t quit your day job.
I already did. I play music for tips and get more than I did working. And have a better truck, health care and the works
George Floyd was no hero. He was a felon and a victim of an overzealous cop, proven so in a court of law, and those who were charged are paying for it. Donald Trump is no hero. He is a felon, proven so in court, now POTUS, giving other felons pardons left and right. SO THERE TIS.
I am sure you are a fine busker and that your audience just loves your sense of humor. Do you tell them your racist coonteenth jokes? What instrument; I am guessing a mouth organ: heh heh, :>) My kids are accomplished musicians and play for cash from time to time. One did some busking in NYC for a bit. I would tip. Ever since covid, I tip a lot more. What health care? Mine is indeed better than when employed and that was a Cadillac plan. Medicare with supplemental just rocks and I pay less, but few copays, small deductibles, freedom of choice. So price to me is far less than price from employers plan. R U medicare or what? Makes me think Bernie is right, universal medicare for all!!!! After three decades of truck, can’t say it’s better, but was pretty damned good when I bought it. Cadillac squishy ride that my Mom/MIL used to call the Cadillac ride, but after I hauled way too many telephone poles for an Eagle project, I blew the shocks, so replaced with hard-body shocks, extra spring, and now it’s a sports-truck that corners so much better. Can feel a pebble in the road now though.
I play the guitar and fiddle. I pay for my health care. My truck is old but dependable. My music genre is blues, country, bluegrass and gospel. I have plenty to do. Not just being a keyboard warrior. Which sometimes I am. I once did a duet with a black guy playing the Hank Williams Jr song “ if the south would have won we’d have it made “. Google the song. It’s funny. What is said about people who can’t take a joke? Fuck ‘em! On a serious note, Jews are in real danger in America. Racism? You tell me.
Hammon, there is no humor in racism; I have a family from the greatest generation with life-long scars from fighting it. I have another generation with scars from fighting it here. We are all created equal ONLY if we treat each other as equal. Rationalizing your racism with the ole, “but I know a black guy” is faulty logic and does not diminish or explain racism. Like covid, until we reach herd immunity, the possibility of pandemic is real. Each case must be dealt with appropriately. You say “fuck em if they can’t take a joke,” I say, I have a dream. But I am no pacifist. And racism is no joke. Never will be. The joke is racist jokes are racist and the joke is the teller.
Nor can you absolve yourself by saying: “what about the jews?” That excuses nothing, proves less. I was a Kosher caterer during my college days; the boss and head chef spent time in the camps, had the tats, I saw them. The boss was a racist. I was shocked. He thought it was funny too. So he treated blacks like they were not equal and paid whites quite well for the time. Really weird that the same scars he carried, he would be willing to do to others. Never did get a handle on that.
Better truck and old? OK. Mine is old but mostly pleasure so not many miles. At 12 or less per gallon, that’s one reason. Big v8 triton sucks gas. But we like the view for pleasure drives.
That’s an eclectic music mix. For years I thought bluegrass, did not like country, only to find out I really was blockabilly follower of blue grass, rock, folk and country, and was dressing like country with my pearl buttoned gingham shits, vests, and boots. So I cut my hair and joined corporate America. I mean if you are going to fake it, might as well make money doing it :>). Just saw where Asleep At the Wheel is touring, oh my, so that’s as country as I get….. And a big Guthrie/Seeger fan, not exactly bluegrass. But I grew up with the Johnson Mountain Boys playing at our campfires, so that’s about as bluegrass as one can get. Quite a few WV festivals in my youth as well. Nice instruments. For guitar, I love Mick Ronson — talk about natural, yet trained too, incredible British white-boy blues turned feedback laced screaming rock — oh yeah. Nothing like Slaughter on Tenth Avenue to see what a guitar can do. Jeff Beck is impressed. And Width of a Circle —- Hendrix is impressed.
Nice almost having a conversation. Keep on playing and keep on with good talk.
American people can always agree to disagree. No harm there. Both sides can go too far. So about your kids music. Do they read music or play by ear?
Sounds like frank takes it the ass like his left wing brothers. You talk a lot of bullshit and I’ll make this easy for your white or black trash lie’s. Fine yourself a hole in septic tank and clean up your face. Nobody cares about you in this country anymore we are sick of your lie’s and the hatred you stir up little boy. The Nazi party has nothing to do with anything that’s happening today asshole stop blaming people from yesterday. The real American’s have taken over and scum like you will be put under ground. You know with all the worms.
Is PBP’s extreme free speech include threats like Bruce Bland’s. That does not seem Kosher.
Bruce, will killing me really improve your life? Learn to be master of your own destiny. Do not blame others for that which you can fix yourself.
What makes you a “realer” American than I? Half my wife’s family came around the Mayflower. Half mine came in 1866 on a coffin ship with a very young child. Our other half’s were in the early to mid 1900’s; my wife is first generation American from that side. Our family fought in every war starting with the Revolution.
You say you be sick of my lies: show me the money, show me the lies. Are you man enough to take me on in debate? Or can you only sit behind your screen and tap our death threats by keyboard?
Let’s go big guy, you can do it.
And you spend time trying to destroy what your people fought for
Seth,
That’s just hyperbole. Once again, you open your mouth and garbage comes out. You can’t prove I am trying to destroy the country. You can’t believe I could even harm, much less destroy the country. I’m just some old guy, yes a liberal, and contrary to your belief, I have done more than you to build our country (since I pay more taxes than you, I presume).
I am an investor, and my investments, are foundational support for our businesses driving our economy. I worked telecom, an industry that brings people together in our country with communication.
Once again, either prove or support what you say or STFU. I prefer STFU as I don’t think you have the stuff to debate the issues on their merits.