Reply #94: You seem to attribute opinions to me that I don't hold

[Anarcho-Socialist]

I accept the fact that Menezes was killed on a badly-implemented and/or mistaken shoot-to-kill if necessary policy, without a proper attempt to arrest him, or question him. This I don't doubt. I'm also confused about what the "your side" business is all about.

My own personal view at the time was to wait and see until evidence comes to light of what really happened, rather than jump to conclusions from gut-reaction. This view does not contradict libertarian socialism and it doesn't mean I'm surrendering to the state.

I believe in evidence before passing judgment. This is why I didn't immediately condemn the police at the time without evidence (though I felt very uncomfortable by the circumstance of the death) nor did I presume De Menezes was indeed guilty at the time.

Gut-reactions are unwise to work from. The police had a gut-reaction and executed De Menezes suspecting a terrorist but without evidence, they jumped to a bloody erroneous conclusion and I absolutely condemn this shoot-to-kill policy. Gut-reactions without evidence are never a good thing no matter on what scale. You might be right sometimes, but it can be very bad when you're not. This is why it must be avoided.