Navigator

It was fair and it was moral but it was unfortunate. I am not a cop but I am from a NYPD family and every cop will tell you the first thing the skells do when you get them on the ground trying to handcuff them is to start screaming they can't breath or you're breaking they're arm or they're going to vomit. As soon as the cop releases the pressure the skell goes for the cop's gun so cops learn to ignore these pleas. Unfortunately in this case, Garner WAS having trouble breathing. He did, however have the option of following the cops instructions and to not resist arrest, he didn't and he died, se le vie.

American Vet

He resisted arrest which started a chain of events. However, the law was not followed (by him and by the policeman- and that was controversial) and the person was punished.

‘Fair’ is subjective. Some say it was fair, others not. Moral: Also a subjective term - is it 'moral' to obey the law? To me, yes.

Do you think it all could have been prevented if he had obeyed the law?

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Do you think what Eric Garner did was fair and he was acting moral and ethical? Life is not fair! He chose his course of action; he chose to break the law after having previous run-ins and warning from the police, and then he chose to resist. He thought he was above the law and being singled out unfairly. There are consequences. That wouldn't warrant the police to shoot him. Their response was measured and appropriate. Unfortunately, people die all the time from the use of non-lethal force such as tasers. He had pre-existing heart problems, overweight, probably diabetic, and who knows what else. And he was a very large person!

The Police also have a right to defend themselves. If someone resists and fights back against you, are you not going to subdue them? Garner chose to escalate the problem by not cooperating and going along with them peacefully. The so-called choke-hold used is not allowed practice in NY but it is elsewhere. However, It is debatable if a choke-hold was actually used or for how long. Garner would not have been able to say "I can't breathe' if a choke-hold had been placed on him! NY is filled with liberal do-gooders who pass judgment without having ever been in the other's shoes. Apparently you do also. NY needs another mayor such as Rudy Guiliani. The current mayor, DeBlasio, is a travesty.

SWMBO

Excellent explanation, but perhaps Paul's dislike for people he perceives as on the other side (ie conservatives)will get in the way of his response.