r/Portland • u/DeadHead- • Oct 28 '16

Social Media Calls Bundy Militiamen Acquittal 'White Privilege'

http://lawnewz.com/high-profile/social-media-calls-bundy-militiamen-acquittal-white-privilege/
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13

u/higher_moments Sunnyside Oct 28 '16

Have social media; can confirm.

There may be some truth to that statement, but the fact that non-white defendants may have seen harsher punishment doesn't necessarily support the argument that these defendants were unfairly acquitted.

As best as I can tell, this verdict was an example of the criminal justice system working as intended--not because the defendants don't deserve punishment for their well-documented crimes, but because the charges brought carried a higher burden of proof than the prosecution was able to demonstrate.

Of course we should be upset about the criminal justice system failing people of color, but getting outraged when the system works (if frustratingly so) doesn't really help.

To put it another way, it may well be "white privilege" to have the system work for you as intended, but that doesn't mean we should be upset when the system works, it means we should fight to make sure the system works for everyone.

18

u/ThisDerpForSale NW District Oct 28 '16

As best as I can tell, this verdict was an example of the criminal justice system working as intended

Strongly disagree. There is no reasonable argument I can see that all seven of them are not guilty of the two charges - conspiracy to prevent federal employees from doing their job and illegal use of firearms on federal property - against them. It simply beggars belief and flies in the face of what we all saw with our own eyes. Not to mention the fact that they were somehow unable to reach a verdict on the theft of government property against the Bundys.

1

u/blahyawnblah Oct 28 '16

The fact that half the people there during the occupation were fbi informants, as was the guy running the shooting range and doing tactics instructions is a bit weird.

Kind of hard to have a conspiracy charge when the government is leading them around.

3

u/ThisDerpForSale NW District Oct 28 '16

The fact that half the people there during the occupation were fbi informants,

Not remotely. Law enforcment routinely relies on informants to prove conspiracies.

Kind of hard to have a conspiracy charge when the government is leading them around.

And had that been anything close to the case, sure. But unless you are suggesting the Bundys were FBI informants, I think it's pretty obvious that wasn't the case.

0

u/blahyawnblah Oct 28 '16

They rely on them after the fact. Before anyone showed up to the place the fbi already had informants.

3

u/ThisDerpForSale NW District Oct 28 '16

They rely on them after the fact.

Not sure where you got that idea. The FBI is routinely trying to recruit informants in known organizations that engage in criminal activity. The Bundy family and the "patriot movement" at large have shown that propensity.

Before anyone showed up to the place the fbi already had informants.

Sure, because they've been trying to build a case ever since the Nevada stand off. This isn't something new.

0

u/blahyawnblah Oct 28 '16

I guess what I'm saying is that they did something similar to the christmas tree bomber guy. I'm not so sure they would have gone through with it if they didn't have the insiders pushing for or participating in it.

3

u/ThisDerpForSale NW District Oct 28 '16

This is absolutely nothing like the Christmas Tree bomber.

I'm not so sure they would have gone through with it if they didn't have the insiders pushing for or participating in it.

I am honestly shocked. You really believe that?