Liberal Mayors, Racial Politics, and Fake News

There are three things you need to know about the unrest associated with the killing of George Floyd.

First, almost all major cities these days are governed by Democrats, usually liberal Democrats. Second, black Americans have suffered because of the public policies these cities have adopted. Third, the reason why city governments adopt policies harmful to black families is not because they are racists; it’s because they are liberal.

In city after city, all too often black families are forced to send their children to the worst schools; they are forced to live in the worst housing; they receive the worst city services (including policing); and they are subject to the worst environmental harms. The politicians who run these cities are Democrats. Many of them are black themselves.

Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed, is an example. The city’s mayor is a Democrat and the only member of the City Council that is not a Democrat is a member of the Green Party. Most of them take pride in being liberal. Yet the economic gulf between black and white families is higher there than nearly anywhere else in America. Problems with the police department are not new. Civilians have lodged more than 2,600 complaints against Minneapolis police officers since 2012. Only 12 have resulted in disciplinary action, and the penalties in those cases were mild.

In general, the more liberal the city, the worse things are. According to The New York Times, the New York City school system is among the most segregated in the country; and nationwide, liberal states tend to have the most segregated schools. In many California cities, poor families can often be found living on the streets. In fact, blue state California has almost half the homeless population of the country.

In 1990, 57 percent of blacks lived in metropolitan areas and 95 percent of blacks in the Northeast, Midwest, and West did so, according to Census data. But as family incomes rose and more black families entered the middle class, they moved to the suburbs. It was there that the mayor and city council were more likely to be Republican, and black children were more likely to attend school with the children of conservative Republican parents. Today, there are more African Americans living in the suburbs than living in cities.

Those who remain in the inner cities, however, are often too poor to escape. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Dan Henninger says, "essentially little has changed in the neighborhoods at the center of those long-ago urban riots,” 55 years ago. "By current telling, they are about as poor, as crime-ridden, as under-educated and in poor health as they were when LBJ said he would change them” with his Great Society programs.

Why do politicians who call themselves “liberal” adopt policies harmful to poor black families who are subject to their governance? Because they preside over a political system in which special interests deliver votes to politicians who do them favors. These favors almost always consist of increasing the income of the special interests at the expense of everyone else. Special interest politics is dog-eat-dog politics. Politicians who survive in it are those who are willing to take from Peter to give to Paul if Paul has more votes than Peter.

[Conservative politicians might succumb to the same temptations. But they don’t brag about it. Normally, they don’t openly promise to rob the public for the benefit of a special interest. They almost never agree that it’s okay to take from Peter and give to Paul in return for Paul’s vote. The conservative view is that government should be limited and its actions should promote the general welfare.]

It would be a huge mistake to think that Democratic-run city governments are filled with racists. They aren’t racists. But they do what they have to do to get elected and maintain power. Why don’t they fire bad cops? They would lose the support of the police union. Why don’t they fire bad teachers? They would lose the backing of the teachers’ union. Why don’t they create low-income housing in neighborhoods that have good schools or give poor children vouchers so they can attend those schools? They would lose financial support from rich liberals who don’t want to send their children to school with the children of the poor.

It’s just that simple.

Now let’s turn to the news media. If you read the editorial pages of the New York Times, you would never learn any of this.

Under a heading that reads, “Trump Takes Us To the Brink” Paul Krugman explains the George Floyd incident by writing that “Republicans have … spent decades exploiting racial hostility to win elections” and “many police officers and their unions remain staunch Trump supporters, and they have been pretty clear about why: They feel that Trump will back them even, or perhaps especially, if they engage in abusive behavior toward racial minorities.”

Got that? It’s the Republicans’ fault. It’s Donald Trump’s fault. How’s that for an alternate universe?

The mainstream media is not much better, implying that racism runs rampant among the nation’s police officers. In fact, in the most complete study of its kind ever produced, Harvard University economist Roland Fryer writes:

“We didn’t find evidence for anti-Black or anti-Hispanic disparity in police use of force across all shootings, and, if anything, found anti-White disparities when controlling for race-specific crime.”

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Heather Mac Donald says that “a police officer is 18½ times more likely to be killed by a black male than an unarmed black male is to be killed by a police officer.”

I bet you didn’t read that fact in any mainstream newspaper.

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Chair of NYC Health Committee: If Coronavirus Spikes in the Big Apple, Blame Racism Not the Rioters

You know I had already slid into the camp where it was time to reopen during the COVID lockdowns. In the week leading up to the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, which sparked riots across the country, everything flipped. The mortality rate by the CDC showed that the coronavirus was not as lethal as the flu, it doesn't spread as easily on surfaces as initially reported, hospitalizations were still stable, and deaths continued to decline. Florida was supposed to be a graveyard. It's not. Red states that were opening were supposed to be imperiling the nation. They weren't.

Now, with the Floyd riots, the liberal media and the social justice warriors have forgotten about COVID and shaming those who dare venture outside. They now say if there are spikes due to the mass protests, blame racism, not the rioters. Yeah, some member of New York City's health council said that:

And let's remember that the police are increasing covid risk by:

* using tear gas
* herding demonstrators into tight spaces
* putting people in crowded jails

Mark Levine in particular should have resigned in disgrace over this. Somehow, he remains chair of the NYC Council health committee. After NYC had the worst virus outbreak perhaps in the entire world. Now he's endorsing MORE mass gatherings. What the ...

"In powerful show of defiance of #coronavirus scare, huge crowds gathering in NYC's Chinatown for ceremony ahead of annual #LunarNewYear parade. Chants of "be strong Wuhan!"  If you are staying away, you are missing out!

Dozens of public health and disease experts have signed an open letter in support of the nationwide anti-racism protests.

Leah wrote yesterday about the swath of "health experts" who said that they're not really going to strongly protest those going out and rioting because racism is just as bad as the viruses. Oh, and the police shouldn't use tear gas because it could cause people to cough and gasp for air. Hey, here's a thing, how about these hoodlums don't loot? Yet, whatever was left of these experts' credibility has now been blasted away. It's just too transparent. It's not okay for one to reopen their business, but it's fine to attend a mass protest, where social distancing guidelines, which I was told was essential for everyone's survival for months, are not adhered to because these demonstrations are seen as a way to attack Trump. Go to hell, all of you (via NPR):

"White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19," public health experts say in an open letter as large protests erupt in cities across the United States.

Initially written by infectious disease experts at the University of Washington, the letter cited a number of systemic problems, from the disproportionately high rate at which black people have been killed by police in the U.S. to disparities in life expectancy and other vital categories — including black Americans' higher death rate from the coronavirus.

Who knew the lockdowns would end everywhere so quickly, and so soon? What elected officials have to say on this matter no longer applies. Sorry, it's dead. The experts and their Democratic allies have gutted the whole narrative on quarantine—it's over. You can't go outside unless you're protesting is quite the hill to die on, folks. But that's the Left in 2020.

These clowns will blame racism for anything.

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Chicago Mayor Condemns 'Vigilantism' After Men Are Seen Patrolling Streets Carrying Bats

Violence in Chicago during the George Floyd protests hasn’t been as bad as some big cities. Maybe because the reputation of the Chicago police for not-so-tender treatment of suspects precedes them.

In truth, Chicago police are brutal, corrupt, and, dare I say, many are racist. Of course, that’s no excuse to loot a liquor store or trash a high-end department store. But if you want an Exhibit “A” for police brutality, Chicago fills the bill nicely.

There have been incidents of violence, vandalism, looting and fires that have been set in some city neighborhoods. And the Chicago police, already walking on eggshells because of several high-profile murders of unarmed black citizens, can’t be everywhere at once.

So, Americans being Americans, citizens decided to simply protect themselves. There have been reports of people patrolling their neighborhoods with baseball bats to protect their loved ones.

Sound, sensible, and all-American. But this self-defense absolutely horrified Chicago’s woke mayor.

The Hill:

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) this week condemned vigilantism after groups of predominantly white men were seen patrolling the streets with bats amid ongoing protests against racism and police brutality.

“It is absolutely not appropriate for people to take up arms, bats, pipes, whatever in patrolling neighborhoods,” Lightfoot said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

“We’ve seen that end with tragic results across the country and we’re not about to allow that practice to happen here in Chicago. If there’s an issue, call 911,” Lightfoot said.

First of all, I wonder if the fact that the groups of men are “predominantly white” has anything to do with her objection? If they were black men with baseball bats patrolling their neighborhoods, wouldn’t she say it was justifiable given the history of whites attacking blacks?

But the bottom line here is that in Lightfoot’s Chicago, you aren’t allowed to defend yourself, your property, or your family. It just isn’t necessary because, police. The cops respond to every 911 call with lightning speed. Besides, if the police are a little late and rioters were to murder your family, they’d get on it right away, scout’s honor.

“I absolutely support neighbors being vigilant as to what’s going on on the streets and in their blocks but taking up arms, that leads to chaos and we’re not supporting vigilantism in the city of Chicago under any circumstances.”

The groups of men were seen in Bridgeport, a diversifying neighborhood that previously served as an Irish American power base for the Daley political family, the outlet noted.

Yes, Bridgeport is “diversifying.” I hear they let Italians and Poles live there now. They’re very progressive like that in Bridgeport.

But as for protecting their neighborhood with bats, Lightfoot shouldn’t fret about it. She has the woke generation on her side.

In the times we live, when police are frozen into inaction by ludicrous and hysterical charges of “brutality,” it’s logical and reasonable to assume — whether you’re black or white — that you’re on your own when it comes to defending you and yours.

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The Woke Beast Cannot Be Appeased: Woke Employees at Woke Ohio Taco Joint Walk Off Job After Refusing to Fill Order for Cops

Several employees at a Columbus, Ohio, Condado Tacos restaurant walked off the job on Tuesday after refusing to fill a catering order for police, prompting the woke chain to close all of its 20 stores “out of an abundance of caution.”

Condado claims no employees were fired, and, moreover, the employees were not forced to prepare the order.

A tweet by an employee at the Polaris location of Condado Tacos went viral earlier this week when he claimed he was fired for walking out on the job:

His claim that he was fired has been retweeted more than 13,000 times and ignited a fiery debate about whether or not employees should be forced to feed cops in the wake of protests and riots over the brutal, unconscionable death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police.

Jake Widdowson also says he was fired:

Jake wrote on Twitter that “This is the one interview I could swear in, so this is my truest voice.” You’ve been warned if you decide to listen.

The taco chain told Eater that the Polaris location received a catering order on Monday night from the Ohio Highway Patrol for 250 “Bud Boxes.” At 12 bucks a pop, that comes to $3000.

Considering that restaurants are struggling to remain solvent in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns, Jake should be grateful to have a job at all at a time when more than a million Ohioans are out of work

“No employees were fired last night,” Condado insisted. “A few employees working did express they were uncomfortable with fulfilling the order and after a discussion with their regional manager about their concerns, were given the option to not work on the order. The employees who expressed their concerns chose to not complete their shift last night however, their jobs remain intact at Condado if they choose to return.”

“Because we understand that emotions and tensions are raw right now, we offered those employees the option to sit out making that order, without repercussion, while other team members handled it,” Condado said in a statement. “We want to make it clear that they are welcome to return to work, if that is their choice, but they must understand that Condado Tacos is an inclusive business and that we will continue to serve everyone, including law enforcement.”

I’m not going to mince words here: Jake and his virtue-signaling buddies should have been fired.

Serving food to customers is literally the job description when you work at a restaurant. If it violates your delicate sensibilities to serve people you don’t like, you need to find another line of work that insulates you from opinions and people you can’t abide. If you feel you must very publicly trash your employer on social media, you shouldn’t expect to keep your job.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued a statement:

Yesterday, the Patrol was made aware of a situation that occurred at the Polaris Condado Tacos. A large order was placed for personnel working the protests and while placing the order, which was fulfilled, the Patrol was treated with nothing but kindness and respect. At the time of the placing and receiving the order, we were unaware of any issues. The Patrol would welcome the opportunity to establish an open dialogue with the Condado’s employees in an effort to build inroads to open lines of communication that will help all of us. We are an agency who fosters understanding, communication and respect among all people.

Why bother? These entitled kids won’t stop until the police are abolished, our cities lie in ruins, and no one has a job.

SOURCE 

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Political correctness is most pervasive in universities and colleges but I rarely report the  incidents concerned here as I have a separate blog for educational matters.

American "liberals" often deny being Leftists and say that they are very different from the Communist rulers of  other countries.  The only real difference, however, is how much power they have.  In America, their power is limited by democracy.  To see what they WOULD be like with more power, look at where they ARE already  very powerful: in America's educational system -- particularly in the universities and colleges.  They show there the same respect for free-speech and political diversity that Stalin did:  None.  So look to the colleges to see  what the whole country would be like if "liberals" had their way.  It would be a dictatorship.

For more postings from me, see TONGUE-TIED, GREENIE WATCH,   EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL, AUSTRALIAN POLITICS and  DISSECTING LEFTISM.   My Home Pages are here or   here or   here.  Email me (John Ray) here.  Email me (John Ray) here. 
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