A world that needs changing includes getting to the root of the problem. Please stop committing crimes under the influence of alcohol and drugs. And if you are foolish enough to do so, please stop resisting arrest. It might save your own life. Prayers.

"getting to the root of the problem...please stop resisting arrest. It might save your own life."

Attempting to flee while being stopped and potentially arrested for an outstanding bench warrant has also contributed to many of these tragic and unfortunate police-related shootings.

While the police need to exercise further constraint in these highly volatile situations, anyone resisting arrest or attempting to flee will provide further incentives on the part of the police to take certain actions, some questionable.

It is advisable to cooperate with the police (even if doing so means getting hauled off to county jail) and later addressing the issue or conflict in a court of law.

Using some common sense can be a lifesaver.

° Why did God kill George Floyd? He did not. We did.

The question is...why DIDN'T God protect George Floyd (and other victims) from police brutality?

And the same can be said of the Jewish people during the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide.

Why believe in something that doesn't deliver?

God is simply a mathematical algorithm.

What some call a miracle is simply a statistical anomaly predicated on probability and chance.

The self-proclained caliphates and tele-evangelists might beg to differ but there is big money in selling false hopes.

Using common sense IS a lifesaver, but anyone resisting arrest is lacking common sense, or they wouldn't be doing so. There are things that need to be addressed in a court of law (warrants, etc.) but resisting arrest happens because someone doesn't want to be arrested, and he/she has an attitude towards the police. That's reality.

When confronted by a hostile force or a threatening situation, the natural response is to either fight or flee.

It is oftentimes not a matter of lacking common sense but one of survival.

Common sense dictates that racist white police officers will further antagonize, brutalize, and euthanize black people if provided an opportunity.

To acquiesce or surrender is no longer an option.

BLM

[Portion removed.] The officer who murdered Mr. Floyd has been found guilty. There are many good police officers and other people who do not condone what happened there. The officer exercised unnecessary force fueled by prejudice. Mr. Floyd struggled because a knee was on his neck. He could not breathe. I would do the same.

To others, can we please keep this thread focused on the subject of the vigil--which was to bring people together to address the problem of prejudice and its terrible outcomes? If you want to have a religious debate, please start anther thread. Thank you.

I hope we will take this moment to examine the prejudices in our own hearts and minds. We all, people of every color, nation, ethnicity, and faith-carry them. I hope we will determinedly come together to find a path toward each other in love. Whether you believe in God or not, love is the force that binds us as a cohesive society. In the words, of M. Gandhi, "Love is the strongest force the world possesses and yet it is the humblest imaginable."

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I concur as simply surrendering to the police could have even more damaging repercussions once a suspect of color is in custody.

Just don't point a gun or knife at them.

Most of these cops are trigger-happy and just ichin' to get off by discharging their service weapons.

And why be polite and respectful towards those who are blatantly disrespecting you?

It is a two-way street and cops have to earn their respect.

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Let's please choose words that bring us together, and do not drive us apart. There are good and bad officers. There is prejudice everywhere in people of every color and ethnicity all over the world, though our black neighbors have borne an awful share of its most brutal expression in this country. Prejudice and hate are human problems--fundamental to our being. We need to work in a disciplined way within ourselves and with each other to find a path toward love. Let's choose words that guide us toward seeing the good in our neighbors.

I suppose it is a case of how we teach our children. If we teach our children to respect the laws, respect other people, respect the police and to respect themselves, then it is a good starting place. If we teach our children to hate other people, to hate the police and to hate authority, then we are doing them a great disservice.

It was encouraging to be among the hundreds gathered at City Hall on Saturday but the comments here emphasize the reality of racism in our city. Mr. Floyd did not die because he lacked "common sense" or because his parents didn't teach him well. He was murdered by a racist cop in a racist country. We need more than prayer; we need justice.

New East Palo Alto council member Antonio Lopez needs to spend less time in front of the cameras and the media and more time learning how to be a better representative of the people.

*New East Palo Alto council member Antonio Lopez needs to spend less time in front of the cameras and the media and more time learning how to be a better representative of the people.

From what I've heard, his election day tacos were excellent and even warranted post-election litigation by a disgruntled political opponent.

My oh my.

It seems that teaching future police officers while they are children to be respectful of everyone including themselves and to not hate anyone, is now called being racist.

Everyone has to learn to be respectful of everyone else including themselves. It also includes being respectful of those who give their opinions on Town Square. Respecting our fellow human beings is a character trait we all need to have.

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° Respecting our fellow human beings is a character trait we all need to have.

Respect is earned and not to be given away freely.

There is a big difference between being respectful and obsequious.

If the police do not respect people of color, why should people of color respect them?

[Portion removed due to deletion of referenced comment.]

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The division is happening along the lines as to where you fall politically.

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Sure sounds like local politicians are awfully sensitive!

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I think it is very sad to live in a world where respect is expected to be earned rather than given to all. That people expect to only give respect to those who are deemed worthy of respect sounds like the wrong way round to me. I was taught to respect everyone, we didn't have to necessarily "like" them, but we were told to respect them anyway. Starting with teachers, family members, neighbors, classmates, and anyone else we came into contact with. Respect to others was good manners and a good way to live.

If we all start respecting each other without waiting until others have earned our respect, we might start building a few bridges.

Trust has to be earned, but respect should be given to all, especially authority. All opinions should be respected too -- including moderation, but sadly too many people don't understand this.

There are a few people here who actually "tell me how to post" but that's a reflection on them, and I let it slide off my back.

*Respect is earned and not to be given away freely.

^ Concurring.

* If we all start respecting each other without waiting until others have earned our respect, we might start building a few bridges.

*respect should be given to all, especially authority.

^ Disagreeing with you both.

Respect is earned...however everyone deserves common courtesy.

As for respecting authority...in the military we salute the rank and not necessarily the individual.

As aforementioned, respect is EARNED.

Some individuals here apparently do not know the difference between respect and common courtesy.

Everyone deserves common courtesy. Not everyone deserves our respect.

Case in point...our last POTUS.

Dictionary definition of respect <<due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.>>

Why are we unable to give due regard to others as a common courtesy? It is good manners and the way we should be living as a society.

As Jennifer said, trust has to be earned, but respect to all should be something we learn from early childhood.

> Dictionary definition of respect <>

This is all fine and dandy but it does not apply to certain types of individuals (e.g. racists, sociopaths, sexual predators, convicted murderers and as another poster noted, a certain former president along with his band of right-wing insurrectionists, white supremacists, and QAnon conspiracy proponents.

Common courtesy and mutual respect is a two-way street.

A person needs to ask themselves who and what they are respecting first.

And if another person is disrespecting you, they are not worthy of your respect.

The chump train leaves the station for those astute enough to have a ticket.

The "Golden Rule" of Leviticus 19:18 was quoted by Jesus of Nazareth during his Sermon on the Mount and described by him as the second great commandment. The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7. 12

We should be the example to others. We should be teaching this to our children and we should not lower ourselves to standards we believe are lower than this Golden Rule.

> The common English phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

The Golden Rule is a noteworthy moral compass to live by but has its inherent flaws.

As a former clergy and university lecturer in theology, the question often arises...what if doing unto others is not what they actually wish or prefer?

For example, if another individual was a masochist, should you in turn become sadistic in order to fulfill their preferences?

Or if another person despises liver, would you serve it to that dinner guest because you yourself enjoy eating liver?

The Golden Rule does not apply to everything.

*The Golden Rule does not apply to everything.

The history of the United States and other global empires most certainly did not adhere to this premise.

The Golden Rule sounds good in principle but is a fallacy for the ages.

I too do not adhere to The Golden Rule as it has either backfired or proven to be a waste of time and energy on certain individuals.

As a practicing attorney I have witnessed and experienced this too many times and as Leo Durocher once said, "Nice guys finish last."

It's OK to be a nice guy but don't be a chump.

Your mental and emotional health (as well as financial security) is dependent upon this perspective.

>>"The "Golden Rule" of Leviticus 19:18 was quoted by Jesus of Nazareth during his Sermon on the Mount and described by him as the second great commandment."

And how far did that ideal get Jesus?

The last time I checked, Jesus died for the sins of man and that was over 2,000 years ago.

The history of man clearly indicates that mankind learned absolutely nothing from his ultimate sacrifice as every day has been the 'same old, same old' for centuries since.

Perhaps it's best to reserve The Golden Rule for only those one personally feels are truly deserving of such considerations.

And a lot of people aren't.

I enjoy a good bottle of French Burgundy and have served it to my dinner guests on occasion.

Some people appreciated the wine while others could not differentiate it from a jug of Carlo Rossi.

If the Golden Rule actually applied in both principle and practice, I should also be served Chambertin whenever I am invited out to someone's for dinner.

I think if we simply stick with The Golden Rule as a 'courtesy', we're OK but to make it all inclusive is absolutely ludicrous.

Except for those who can turn water into
wine.

"I think if we simply stick with The Golden Rule as a 'courtesy', we're OK..."

Courtesy as a basic interactive gesture makes sense but we happen to live in a world where some people will always be rude and/or condescending.

This is human nature and there is no going around it.

So perhaps it is best to simply ignore those individuals who are not worthy of our respect, courtesy, and acknowledgment.

Though the Golden Rule sounds good in theory, it is not an applicable or practical working concept to humans as a whole.

The history of mankind will attest to that and on a far larger scale, even countries and their respective leaders do not adhere to this so-called rule of thumb.

Try conveying the Golden Rule to leaders behind the Israel-Hamas conflict, or to the PRC or to the white supremacists movement in America and see if they are willing to listen and/or change their perspectives.

Fat chance so let's put an end to believing in pipe dreams as the bottom line remains...humans are always seeking an edge over one another and this means there will never be any level playing fields nor an acceptance of mutually agreed upon rules.

The world is a jungle.

Gangs don't practice the Golden Rule either and neither do lawyers and politicians.

The Golden Rule does not mean that everyone should be encouraged to live the same way, eat the same food, or to do anything that many of these comments seem to think.

Instead it should be looked on as treating other people with the same respect you would like them to treat you. If they are hungry, they should be given food, but not the specific food the giver enjoys. If they are tired, they should be given rest. If they are weak, they should be helped. If they are in need, then they should be offered alms.

It also means that if they have done something wrong by societal standards, they should still be treated with respect as they are given the societal discipline their wrongdoings invoke. It doesn't mean that we should ignore their wrongdoings, but we should use compassion as that discipline is presented. It may be called tough love. It may be called justice. But it also can mean repentance and forgiveness.

It is called showing love and empathy, it is "Doasyouwouldbedoneby".

"It is called showing love and empathy,"

@ Bystander
Then how do you explain the Palo Alto residents who tend to be outwardly hostile towards the homeless and transient RVs parked along ECR?

And shouldn't we give freely to ALL panhandlers and/or to those seeking some 'small change'?

If the Golden Rule actually applied in PA,
then EVERYBODYY would be welcome regardless of their lot in life.

Hypocrites.

The Golden Rule simply does not work.

You will get screwed if you apply it to everyone.

Some a**holes do not deserve either courtesy or respect.

Time to get real and smell the buds.