I’m listening to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s and Police Chief David Brown joint press conference about the incidents of looting and vandalism last night. They didn’t say the words I wanted them to: “This situation is beyond our abilities. Consequently, we are resigning our offices so the jobs may be filled by people who are more competent” but, then, I didn’t expect them to. What they did say was how determined they were and how hard they and the police are working. They also took pains to point fingers at prosecutors (Kim Foxx) and judges (unnamed), characterizing them as too lenient, pointing to a “revolving door”—the police arrest the criminals and the prosecutors and courts reduce their sentences or release them.
The mayor even took offense when asked by one reporter if she thought that last night’s incidents were a reaction to the city’s inability to protect against earlier looting incidents.
Basically, I don’t care how determined they are or how hard they’re working. Results are all I care about and they have none to show. Maintaining order is the fundamental obligation of government. If they can’t do that, what the heck good is it?
Update
Now Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is conducting her own press conference and pushing back in anodyne terms against the mayor’s and Chief Brown’s complaints. She’s up for re-election in November. She should resign. She’s so obviously incompetent I have no words. BTW her campaign is supported by out-of-state money.
I was reading about and looking at photos of the chaos last night in Chicago. It was reminiscent of what happened in Santa Monica a few months back. Buildings around here are still boarded up, with more empty store fronts each time I go into the commercial areas. Do these looters ever take a moment to reflect on the damage they are doing, and how it will only backwash over themselves, eventually?
So sorry about Chicago, Dave.
” may be filled by people who are more competent”
Who would that be? How long would it take to make things better?
On the first I dont know Chicago so have no idea. On the second, I think it takes quite a while. A soy pointed out there are problems with the government leadership, the police, the state attorneys and the citizenry. Even if you bring in good leadership you arent changing any of those quickly.
Steve
This has been going on off and on for six weeks now. Last night was only the biggest incident. Just about any casual passer-by would be better prepared than the incumbents.
It could get better overnight if they were willing to take the issue seriously.
Let me provide examples of some of the things which should be done differently. They should never have released prisoners from Cook County to protect them from COVID-19. That was nuts. They should have issued them masks and left them there. The mayor should issue an emergency order suspending habeas corpus. Or she should petition the governor to do it. If the CPD can’t manage the situation, the mayor should request the National Guard. And so on.
Lets see if folks still want to elect Progressive prosecutors
Out of state money. You mean like George Soros. But we have been informed that’s a Republican conspiracy theory, what with George’s full schedule, tennis and golf and such……
“They should have issued them masks and left them there.”
You are in the masks work camp? Thought you were in the “they might work group”.
“the mayor should request the National Guard.”
I asked before and didnt get much of an answer. Is there evidence that calling in the Guard helps in these situations? Sounds good, and if it actually helps, I would support it. AFAICT they have only been called up on a federal level about 16 times, with mixed but mostly positive results. What I dont see are stats on state level call ups.
Steve
My point is that the mayor is solidly in the masks work camp. I’m more in the “might” camp. Maybe the “can’t hurt when in a store or the office but probably won’t do a damned thing when I’m walking around the neighborhood with just myself and the dog” camp.
“probably won’t do a damned thing when I’m walking around the neighborhood with just myself and the dog”
I think that about 98% of those who think masks help agree with that.
Steve
The only reason for masks is social accommodation.
My contacts, and I still have them in Chicago, (think Beverly CC) tell me that Lightfoot is considered the worst mayor in memory.
Congratulations.
Our choice was between Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle, who ran on a platform of major tax increases.
It’s only just dawned on me to wonder what we would do if our city were plagued like Chicago. The troubles won’t end you know, they are profitable to the looters and the politicians.
I suppose most people take comfort in that their neighborhood is quiet, but taxes and insurance rates will always rise and going downtown at night is out of the question .
Desperate times.
I think Illinois State Troopers have been sent to Chicago or East St. Louis to support local police. Maybe that seems a difference in degree but I’m not sure how much traditional policing highway troopers normally do. At least the National Guard in the state capitol is mainly a military policing unit.
I’m not sure what the troopers did, but I suppose it might be to have an official presence at some assigned points to give local police support. The last time I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the local police were still diminished by Katrina a few years earlier, and the national guard was stationed at various points a couple of blocks from parade routes, while city police were all along the parade routes. I assume that’s what they would do in Chicago if manpower is an issue.
I know, Dave. Sometimes I think you personalize these things, or my comments. As Jan said, and as I say to my friends still stuck…….I’m sorry for you. I’m just glad I got out.
‘Do these looters ever take a moment to reflect on the damage they are doing, and how it will only backwash over themselves, eventually?’
No.
Why should they? They don’t get punished for their actions. In fact some pundits praise them for doing it, pretending it’s for Social Justice. Besides, it ain’t their neighborhood (not that they would care).
They’re human locusts. Once they’ve razed that part of the city, they’ll just move to the next section, and so on, until they’re stopped.
The question should be do the city officials ever take a moment to reflect on the damage they are allowing and how it will only backwash over themselves, eventually?
Also no.
Lightfoot et al couldn’t give a damn who dies, how many die, and how much gets destroyed if it benefits them politically and doesn’t affect them personally. Lightfoot is only mad because the looting makes her look bad.
But if OMB intervenes in any way shape or form, or even suggests he might, he’s 10X Mr. H.
“In fact some pundits praise them for doing it, pretending it’s for Social Justice.”
Who praised them? As Dave noted this was not done in the context of protests, it was pure crime. SO who is praising crime?
Steve
How manyâ€worst†democrat mayors, governors, State AGs are there in the country these days? It seems like an epidemic of the worst of the worst being in charge of the states these days, as they burn and do nothing about looting, rioting, as they defund police departments everywhere.
Well, BLM leaders praised them. said “That’s Reparations”.
“I don’t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy’s or a Nike store, because that makes sure that person eats,†said Ariel Atkins, a BLM organizer, according to NBC Chicago. “That makes sure that person has clothes.â€
Clothes, not to mention guns and ammo. Well, if that’s reparations, that matter is closed. Bill paid. Account closed. Divvy up how you wish..
Modern Liberal leaders are going to have to reckon with reality. BLM is not into appeasement, they grow bolder with every step city leaders take backwards.