Earlier today, I appeared on Fox News to discuss breaking developments in the tragic Ferguson saga. Police finally identified the police officer who shot an unarmed man to death last week, along with information linking the deceased to a robbery that preceded the shooting. Others, including Mary Katharine Ham and Kevin Williamson, have eloquently captured my general sentiments on the police's deeply flawed handling of the ensuing unrest; today's news certainly makes Brown appear to be a less sympathetic victim, and casts doubt on the credibility of a prominent eyewitness to the fatal confrontation, who police now say is suspected as an accomplice in the underlying crime. But even if Brown was guilty of "strong arm robbery," we still don't know exactly how or why he ended up being gunned down, reportedly with his hands held up in surrender (although authorities have also said the officer involved was treated for head injuries sustained during the altercation, and the initial police report indicated that there may have been some struggle over the officer's firearm). Given the volatile nature of the situation, here is our attempt at a balanced and measured conversation:
For what it's worth, this has been my bottom line take on the dueling outrage between reflexive defenders and critics of the police:
Appalled by the rioting, discomfited by police behavior on several fronts. One is allowed to hold both of these thoughts in one's head, yes?
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 14, 2014