The death of Mr. Tyre Nichols is arousing an echo not only over the local community, but also over nationwide scope. His sudden and unexpected death reverberates around the country. The questions were about ‘What happened about the incident?’ And the Memphis Times is trying to point out the next questions, “What should happen from the incident?”
First, the legal process. The legal team of Mr. Tyre Nichols’ case can deal with the legal process for the required and pursued justice for Mr. Nichols, his family, and his loved ones. The justice should be made, pursued, and accomplished at the end of the legal process.
Second, the perceptions about MPD. The local community should/can/may realize that there are a lot of problems within/around/from the Memphis Police Department(MPD). The arrogant, impudent, or/and impertinent attitudes of some types of the local police officers are notorious. We don’t deny the necessities of social recognition for the police authority, but the context is different.
Not only the issues of police brutalities and police misconducts, but also such allegations/possibilities of police dishonesty, police manipulations, police corruptions, and even police crimes damage MPD’s honor and bring disgrace on MPD’s name and reputation.
Third, the local government of the City of Memphis. It really seems to have a lot of problems. As we said before, the City of Memphis doesn’t have its own ability to rule and/or run its jurisdiction of the legal territory nor does it have its moral integrity. The City of Memphis cannot solve the social problems over the local community. And it is the problem itself.
Fourth, the mayor, Mr. Jim Strickland. The local constituents can begin to think of the political recall for the mayor. Whatever happens to/from MPD, the government of the City of Memphis, or/and the city of Memphis, the bucks eventually stop there in front of the feet of Mr. Strickland. Whatever happens around Memphis, the political responsibility belongs to Mr. Strickland.
Besides, Mr. Strickland should/can answer to these kinds of questions. “Mayor Strickland, what do you think of Kenyatta Johnson?”, “Mayor Strickland, what do you think of Kwame Kilpatrick?”, “Mayor Strickland, what do you think of Mike Madigan?”, and so on.
Bribery is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official, or other person, in charge of a public or legal duty. They say that with regard to governmental operations, essentially, bribery is “Corrupt solicitation, acceptance, or transfer of value in exchange for official action.”
This is our inquiry. “Dear Mr. Strickland, have you ever received any kind of BRIBERY before or/and during your incumbency as mayor?” Your answer can/should be very simple. Yes or No. It is not rocket science.
(The inquiry is not based on the existence of facts, but is based on the question about the existence of facts. And everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on the basis of the legal principle, the Presumption of Innocence.)
Fifth, the change of the legal status of the City of Memphis. The General Assembly of Tennessee should begin to try to change the legal status of the City of Memphis. The charter of the City of Memphis should be retracted, revoked, withdrawn, recanted, or nullified. Or at least it should be changed on the fundamental level and/or by the innovative ways.
Sixth, the opinion leaders, the social leaders, the community organizers. Their roles for the local community are very important. Every societies and every communities have their own leaders. So does Memphis.
Seventh, the media community. The social role of the local media industry is very important, too. The lack of ‘checks and balances’ and ‘political & social monitoring’ seemed/seems to contribute the malfunction of the local government, and bring the political corruptions of the local politicians and government officials.
Eighth, Steve Mulroy’s office, TBI, and FBI. MPD doesn’t function well and can’t accomplish its mission. So the roles of Shelby County DA Office, TBI, and FBI are important. MPD is, like, a failed dog which doesn’t bark when its owner’s house is stealed or robbed. Furthermore, the dog is a dog which messes up the house when the owner goes out for something.
Ninth, the good and responsible citizens of our local community. At the end of day, the citizens have to pay their political or/and social bills whatever happens to the local community, and whomever should be blamed. The bills stop there in front of the feet of the local constituents politically, and the taxpayers monetarily. The local citizens, constituents, and taxpayers should/can exercise their social ownership for/about the local community whose names are the city of Memphis and Shelby County. They are the owners. Mr. Strickland is not.
Tenth, the Times will try to perform its social missions and its roles in order to make the local community as better place. And it will exercise its OWNERSHIP, too, as so do the good citizens.
The Editorial of the Memphis Times
www.memphistimes.org
Published: January 23, 2023