It's hard to comment from here in the UK without sounding like a right tosser, but if the cap fits (and we were asked).

It's disturbing, and not the America I've ever experienced when I've been there. Aside from the shooting itself, to see the way the police have treated the protesters and press is truly shocking. Teargas, sonic weapons, corralled press and cops nicking their kit after teargassing them, armoured and masked cops (public servants?). It's not good, and of course our own paramilitary coppers where in the UK are following their lead.

One thing about all this stand out though: guns. The white cop executed Brown because he had a gun and could, despite the fact he didn't need to. If the only way he could have stopped Brown was with a gun, then he's a shit copper, end of. He killed him because it was easy too. Now the police are aiming automatic weapons and shotguns AT THEIR OWN PEOPLE. Seriously? Pointing armalites or whatever at unarmed townsfolk? Shotguns? Can folk not see the utter insanity of that? If people are looting etc do they deserve to die for it? It's this tacit acceptance of ultra violence and the threat of violence that is worrying: all that shit about the second amendment means nothing when a copper is aiming his automatic rifle at you and threatening to blow your brains out.

The real heroes are the folk protesting peacefully, clearing up the next morning and refusing to be goaded or intimated because some small-cocked dickwad is pointing a gun at them. That takes guts.

I love the US but when it comes to guns, you guys are bonkers.