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REPLY: 530.fido-asianlin@1:153/757.2 244fa48d
TZUTC: -0500
I often read the news from my old hometown in New Mexico. Today kob.com 
published an article about a park ranger at Petroglyphs National Monument
(it's called that but it's really just a park.)

The ranger is being accused by a park visitor of excessive force because the 
park ranger used a taser on him.

The park visitor identifies as "indigenous."

Here's where the debatable subject comes up:

US Rep Deb Haaland(D) of New Mexico has felt the need to add her 2 cents to 
the issue. (She is also indigenous.) Her spokesperson had this to say about 
the incident:

"Congresswoman Deb Haaland is aware of the incident at Petroglyphs National 
Monument. The Congresswoman believes that any abuse of force is unacceptable 
and that this incident should be thoroughly investigated. She has alerted the 
Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee so proper oversight is 
conducted, especially considering the cultural significance of the site."

Should a member of US Congress get this involved in a case of police 
brutality? Is "proper oversight" really necessary? If so, why?

I'll start this debate (probably a debate with myself but feel free) by saying
this:

Where was US Rep Deb Haaland a few months ago when an unarmed hispanic man was
killed by police? Did it not matter as much because he wasn't a native 
American like her and this Petroglyph visitor?

Also, why point fingers? Her job is to draft bills, isn't it? Why don't she 
draft a bill against police brutality (for everyone) instead of trying to be a
hero only for native Americans? She's like the native American version of Al 
Sharpton, but worse, because she has a job to do and I don't see her doing it.

I'm not defending the park ranger necessarily - but I'm tired of people 
putting their own color above all others while we're all human beings and we 
all deserve an equal amount of respect and courtesy. Police brutality affects 
people of all colors, sometimes even indirectly - it shouldn't ONLY be an 
issue when the alleged victim matches the Congresswoman's color.

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
 * Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)