For a city that has suffered far too much hardship and tragedy, New Orleans finds itself at the center of another firestorm. Three New Orleans police offers have pleaded not guilty for an incident Saturday where a man was savagely beaten and a nearby journalist roughly treated.
Widely broadcasted video showed the officers viciously punching Robert Davis, who was under arrest for public intoxication and resisting arrest, first against a wall and again, when he was subdued, on the ground. Shots of Davis's mangled face and nearby blood-covered sidewalk provided viewers another glimpse at the police brutality made so infamous by the Rodney King beating.
Watching CNN yesterday, I found more excuses being made than fingers pointed. I found myself hearing more spin than solutions. And I found myself reminded of another terrible example of such excuse making.
Throughout the day yesterday, CNN anchors and reporters reported the story, each adding their own take on the incident. Remarkable as the video was in its brutality, the overriding sense coming from the network was of a police department under a tremendous amount of pressure.
"American Morning" anchor Betty Nguyen cited officials saying the incident came at a time when many officers were "stressed out and tired." Later, on the same show, correspondent Alina Cho also cited stress, saying, "80 to 90 percent of the police officers lost everything. Many of them are separated from their families. They are certainly working long hours. Some of them are sleeping in their squad cars still." Cho also reported an exchange between an officer and an Associated Press producer where the officer said, "I've been here for six weeks trying to keep myself alive. Go home."
Yesterday afternoon, "Live From ..." host Kyra Phillips told New Orleans Police Chief Warren Riley "... no doubt, this is an extremely difficult time for the New Orleans Police Department." She also asked the chief, "We also don't see what happens, what leads to the end result. Can you tell us anything about Robert Davis, the 64-year-old man? Do you know if he had alcohol in his system? Do you know if he had drugs? Do you know if he had a weapon?"
CNN, as News Hounds reports, wasn't the only network making excuses. Fox News's "DaySide" anchor Juliet Huddy began their coverage of the story by saying, "A guy, intoxicated guy, is outside the bar, he's 64 years old. He gets into a tussle with police, reportedly, and you can see the video, it does look like he is resisting, but then it really, then things really get out of control. According to some, it depends on how you view this." News Hounds also reported that an abbreviated clip of the incident - one omitting the violent assault - was aired.
What the networks failed to report - until much later or not at all - was Davis's side of the story. Davis, the Associated Press reported, wasn't intoxicated; in fact, the retired elementary school teacher hadn't had a drink in 25 years. Back in New Orleans to check on property his family owns, Davis was out buying cigarettes when he stopped to ask a mounted officer about the curfew when he was interrupted and subsequently beaten.
Nevermind these facts. Nevermind, also, that Davis is African American and those charged in his assault are all Caucasian. Since when did we let the facts get in the way of a good story?
Watching the news yesterday, I found myself reminded of Rush Limbaugh's despicable comments in the wake of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuses. As CBS reported, Limbaugh said, "You know, these people are being fired at every day. I'm talking about people having a good time, these people, you ever heard of emotional release? You [ever] heard of need to blow some steam off?"
I wonder what Rush would say about the New Orleans incident? Were these officers, who have lost so much and are under so much stress, in need of an "emotional release"? Did they need to "blow some steam off"? Or were they, like their Abu Ghraib counterparts, violent offenders engaging in criminal behavior?
All we heard in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were the stranded being blamed for staying and tales of looters run amok. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, I'm afraid the truth is again being obscured - thanks, in large part, to a complicit media. And while I am glad that we did catch a glimpse of what the typically servile press can do when its veneer is stripped away, it troubles me to see how they've reacted as time has passed.
All of this begs the question: How many Robert Davises are there along the Gulf Coast? How many individuals have fallen victim to authorities out of control? How many haven't had the benefit of their incident being caught on tape? How many?