MISS — A forum to discuss allegations of excessive force by Paradise police didn't come off as billed.

The forum, in the works for more than a month, instead turned into a laudatory discussion about the police response to the fires and the ridge's drug problem.

When the mother of one of the alleged victims of excessive force rose to ask questions, she was soon stifled by the town attorney, who spouted the well-worn line about not discussing pending litigation. So what was the point of the forum?