News of Ferguson, news of Ferguson, news of Ferguson. Story after story rolls out this week. The Justice Department asks Ferguson police officers to quit wearing bracelets engraved with "I am Darren Wilson" on them. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson issues a video apology to Michael Brown's family and the African-American community. And, Jackson joins in a march with the protesters.
President Obama mentions the Ferguson affair before the United Nations. A Ferguson police officer is reportedly shot in the arm.
And, the protesters protest.
Of the bracelets, perhaps you would suggest if the officers believe Wilson innocent, let them side with him. Surely there can be nothing wrong with showing support for a fellow officer, you might say. I would suggest, though, that the evidence out so far suggests Wilson wrongfully shot Michael Brown, so a show of support for Wilson does not reflect that you are seeking justice and understandably inflames an already upset group of people.
Of Chief Jackson's apology, I judge it as a good thing. You might continue to want Jackson to resign. You might be wonder why he did not put a stop to the bracelets (if he knew about them, and it would seem he would have). And, you might suggest an indictment of Wilson better be forthcoming. But, why not accept Jackson's apology as a good thing?
The same goes for his marching with the protesters. Why not accept it as good measure?
The firing of the public relations consultant? I would not be too critical of that move, either. While not discovering Devin James as a convicted killer before hiring him was a mistake, it was a mistake that should given some slack. The important thing is that they cut him loose as soon as they learned.
If it is true that James was being paid $154.10 an hour, well, I understand that such work might simply command a high price tag, but, yes, I do think that very excessive.
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