This is really interesting from the MacIver Institute. The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy is a Wisconsin-based think tank that promotes free markets, individual freedom, personal responsibility and limited government.
I’ll wager there is a group like this in your town. This is rather disturbing.
This is the tip of the iceberg.
It seems to me that it would be prudent for people living in cities to start thinking about this. Consider concrete issues of safety and security. I’m not yet suggesting setting up the claymores.
However, it is better to have given some thought to the ramifications of greater urban unrest beforehand, than to have it run up and take you by surprise. I sometimes suggest to people that they have plans and stuff set aside for a rapid move in the case of weather or some other pressing doom. I remind people to know where they are and what your lines of escape and defense are, in the case that some nutjob comes with a shotgun to your place or work or some shop you are in.
It is better to have thought these things through, ahead of time, especially if you have children and loved ones to care for. It doesn’t hurt to think and plan and even do some preparation.
It is better to have done the preparation and not need it, than it is to need what you ought to have prepared but didn’t.
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All products of public education, and their teachers as well. Yes, we should all have “Flee Bags” at the ready; actually I do now as there was a fire in my apartment building recently! (But to where shall we go?)
In 1969, the Montreal police did not go to work one day. Just one day.
That was not a good day.
I do not think that defunding the police and not replacing them would go well even for the people now calling for that. Nor would it last long.
Such colossal examples of ignorance, bigotry, and resentment, every syllable that came out of the mouths of the people in this video. You can’t debate such ignorance. You can’t dialogue, or reason, or anything else. Nothing but handing over your house, your job, your car, your jewelry, your whatever, to these people will do. White people have to move into ghettoes, and get prepared to be slaves for your masters, these ignoramuses.
It’s gonna get ugly. America isn’t South Africa, and Americans aren’t South Africans.
If they got what they wanted (and I seriously doubt that they will), the most likely outcome IMO of abolishing the Police given the nature and History of the USA, would be ordinary people openly wearing guns and carrying rifles for self-protection as they went about their daily business, and all the consequences that would lead to.
The active desire that those foul people have for lynch mob justice should be sending chills down their own spines, but they’re clearly so ignorant of History that they don’t even realise that they themselves would be the ones who would be most targeted by it.
But FWIW, if the people in charge in these cities try and defund the Police, I think that would simply mean that the Police would be funded by the State (or even by the Nation) instead, because nobody in their right minds (including the Supreme Courts) would want anywhere in the USA to become a place of Wild West lawlessness.
And I seriously doubt that defunding the Police is in any way lawful under the Wisconsin State Constitution, which provides and guarantees the rights of any victims of criminal action to protection from and redress against criminals responsible for those acts.
Huh. #BlackLivesMatter is more than a hashtag too, they have a website and an agenda. One one of their sites is a blurb of one of their founders: “Opal has been active in social movements for over a decade. She is a student of liberation theology and her practice is in the tradition of Ella Baker, informed by Stuart Hall, bell hooks and Black Feminist thinkers.” Liberation Theology.Huh. I was amazed how quickly they came up with a politic agenda #DefundPolice, which was immediately embraced by the Dem’s and their media. This really isn’t anything new from #BlackLivesMatter shooting the police in Baltimore back during the Obama administration to #OccupyWallStreet, and then the riotous dismantling of statues in the South. I suppose one could mention the militant environmentalists too. Yes, groups like that are in this town and every town. they have been advertising for years. Scary stuff for sure.
Something is deeply amiss in America. This is the ”left” corollary to ”drain the swamp” and how the term ”the deep state” made it into the mainstream.
It is clear that ”the deplorables” and these groups share a deep concern with the status quo.
The solution MUST be political and not violent. Clearly aiding and abetting destruction of property and looting is wrong and must be corrected within their movement. But there is some truth that the system has not been responsive to lower and middle class black, brown, and white folks.
The Dems have yet to find their Trump, their anti-establishment candidate but they will once Biden fizzles as I think he will.
What is clear is that the political landscape in America is rapidly changing and the mainstream parties have not adapted – the Trump phenomenon may not last past Trump. But he tapped into something not entirely dissimilar to what these groups are saying.
But the solution must be policy, organization, and politics. I am sympathetic at least some but not all of their arguments.
There is a place for the Catholic moment – self-government but not the crony capitalist system we have now. As Sam Vankin says, right now we have in America socialism with a capitalist face,
We need great lay Catholic saints and intellectuals in the world to find the new via media as in media stars virtue.
This is where the lay Catholic genius can shine
Pope Francis and the basic Jesuit charism of being on mission to the fringes is a legitimate call. I’m is where I find myself and I am glad that their are charisms in the Church that support it
Let’s not be afraid – this is mission territory
I recently watched an unedited video of a protest related press conference by these folks here in Madison and this is an accurate representation of what these protest leaders are preaching. One speaker I listened to talked about being fired from jobs for being, in her own words, “anti-white”. I have to say that it seems like some of these folks actively desire communities to be unsafe for nonblack people and businesses. But this is unrealistic; unsafe communities are unsafe for everyone including black people. This is not leadership. There must be black leaders who don’t fall in line with that and we need to support and show solidarity with the voices of reason, virtue and the common good. it’s a tragedy for the black community that some of their members acted with impunity to smash and loot. The damage to the people doing that is greater than the property damage.
I know, right. It’s almost like the Caucasian community fears becoming/being treated like a minority. [No, it is not at all like that.] Why would they fear, though, if everyone is equal and racism doesn’t exist?
And you’re certainly right… America isn’t South Africa. We are worse. [“We”?] We [“we”?] had slaves for centuries then our own version of Apartheid for another century.
Perhaps before you label all Black folks as impossible to dialogue with, you, personally, should try. At least listen to the solid Black Catholic voices… that is what many are asking us all to do.
[A contribution from a Jesuit novice. I’d be happy to dialogue with you about learning the Traditional Roman Rite.]
JabbaPappa, “Wild West lawlessness” could well be just one more urban myth. There is good historical evidence that the Western frontier, and the goldfields of California, etc, were ordered, self-policing, law abiding and justice implementing communities, even though central government was nowhere in sight. I think it was in Cox & Arn’s “Myths of Rich and Poor” (it’s in an unpacked chest in my shed after a recent move so I can’t access) that I read that in the five furthest west states (east of the Rockies), there was ONE successful bank robbery between 1850 and 1900 ! So much for the Hollywood tropes! For further info, hear Tom Woods interview P.J. Hill, co-author of “The Not So Wild Wild West: property rights on the American Frontier”. (Google “Tom Woods” “The Not So Wild Wild West” ). Cheers.
This is the opposite end of the spectrum.
An interview with Shelby Steele, the author of White Guilt.
He is brilliant: https://www.foxnews.com/shows/life-liberty-levin
I think South Africa is the model. If you read about what has happened there you’ll discover the gruesome details.
Yep! Next door in New Hampshire there is a nationally syndicated radio program called “Free Talk Live” which pretty much advocates the same thing.
*sigh*
I was listening to part of an EWTN news radio broadcast Sunday; caught an interview with…USCCB bishop some-body-or-other. He offered …the usual progressive platitudes; we need to change, a different approach, so forth. He also referenced Open Wide Our Hearts, mostly singing the praises of minority canonizations. I noticed the document didn’t recognize the existence of anybody who wasn’t a minority; I noticed this bishop was paper thin regarding specifics he thought we should change.
I would find our bishops far more compelling if they would not summarily toss the majority of US citizenry under the nearest bus at the drop of a hat.
I am not as confident as Antonin above that the Democrats will be able to move forward. They seem to be stuck on Socialist ideology even though that has been shown to be a failure every place it has been tried. They are probably stuck with Biden at this point so whoever is nominated as VP will likely be the real President if they win with Biden as a figurehead. Or maybe they are both figureheads and some group in the background will really be running things. We will have to see how this plays out.
Unfortunately Socialism / Liberation Theology will never offer real hope, just the illusion of a future utopia that is never achieved, simply becoming yet another authoritarian state (think China and Cultural Revolution). A movement based on Christian principles and objective truth is the only one that provides real hope. However that is so alien to many people it would be a tough sell. Even nominal Christians who in reality are closer to moralistic therapeutic deism might have a hard time with this.
Whenever I read about preparedness I am reminded of two things: the Boy Scouts motto and
Matthew 25:1-13.
And then there are the five “P”s: Prior planning prevents poor performance.
We all know one thing, I hope:
The Catholic Church has the solution to every problem. Getting people to follow that is the hard part.
And many if not most world problems today rise from simple immorality/impurity and the destruction of the family. If people were chaste until marriage, lived a proper married life, educated their children, took care of others in charity, there would be fewer single moms, (who could be supported by charitable institutions), And less poverty.
Yes that sounds like utopia, and there is original sin; but the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ and does hold even economic solutions (think Rerum Novarum).
Our Lady told us in 1917 what to do; few lay people comparatively pray the Rosary daily as She asked. Russia has not been converted. She said “only I can help you.” Jesus wants His Mother to be glorified, and have Her Immaculate Heart be recognized and then reign.
That is what we must work towards!
It appears to me that throughout history there are three types of peoples’ belief systems.
A. There is a God and there will be a final judgement of our actions and eternal life/damnation.
B. There is a God, but He will forgive whatever I do-I am a good person. I can do want I desire.
C. There is no God. No afterlife. No judgement. There are no repercussions if I lie, cheat, and steal. I believe in a Social Contract system (when it suits me), just like the Cold War, assured mass destruction. Money equals power and power over others is the goal.
The only socialist based system example that appears to have worked is the monastic one which is God centric. All other attempts have failed, and if not, they rely on “C” which is contrary to Natural Law.
No study of history and tradition (which has been re-written when taught) equals no understanding and easy manipulation. We are witnessing the effects of this vacuum of knowledge.
It’s been non-stop, unobstructed protests for the last 13 days in my neighborhood – some of which was very violent. I’m the odd white guy with no ink on his neck, middle aged, and do not agree with just about anyone in my neighborhood on much of anything: our country, the Faith, facts, etc. The Dem leadership in my city cowers before the mob and coddles them – and all the while tie the hands of the police who are kept from doing their job, thus placing these good men and women in a very difficult situation. I’m probably the only guy in my neighborhood with guns exclusively for hunting/home defense. I’ve had it with this town. I’m taking my guns and taxes and moving out to a GOP county, to a bigger and better house (with 50% of the taxes I’m paying now) in a neighborhood that looks like America: young families, flags on their porches, strangers wave to each as they pass by in their cars, etc.
14 days ago I didn’t know I was going to move, so these days have been decisive. I put an offer on a house yesterday and can’t get out of here fast enough. They can have the Godless mess they’ve made, but not me or my money.
Dear Smith, SJ,
Thanks for your comments. Since you mention slavery, I wonder if you think there would have been slavery in America if there had not been slave societies in Africa first. The fact that the market and system existed there first made it possible for Europeans to participate. I wonder if you have any pride in the fact that America ended slavery itself, at a terrible human cost.
This talk has been around for decades but this time is different. Govt officials, politicians and even some police are giving in to the mob. The video was chilling in the resolve that woman displayed. They’re not going to let up this time. They smell blood. Hopefully calm voices from the black community come forward.
What do they want? In my opinion they want their own place (state, country) to govern and be governed by other black people.
Too bad the Jesuits joined in with Saul Alinsky. They might have done some good in the inner city.
For one Caucasian is a slur unless you come from the Caucasus Mountains
For a second DATA show police interactions correlate well with crime rates
Smith: you do look at DATA right?
As always, I’d point everyone concerned about this back to the well documented, approved Catholic prophesies. It is absolutely amazing how neatly they align to Marian messages from approved apparitions. Many/most of these are conditional, but sadly, I would guess they are becoming less conditional now. It would appear that Vigano agrees with that sentiment from his recent letters. The prophesies are kind of like a loose road map that will help guide you through the days/years ahead. No guarantee they are coming to pass now, but it certainly seems reasonable that we are on the doorstep. Keep in mind that this is based on a compilation of many prophesies, and was published in 1973. Read below for a description lifted from his book (which you can read online for free here: https://archive.org/stream/CatholicProphecy/CatholicProphecy_djvu.txt
From Yves Dupont’s book: The Coming Chastisement:
Description of General Events
• Not a two-camp war, but a multi-sided war.
• Not a war only, but a world-wide revolution as well.
• Not simply a man-made holocaust, but also a God-sent
chastisement, accompanied by cosmic disturbances. To last about four years.
Particular Events
The whole world will be involved in the fighting. A unique feature is the internal disintegration of the Western democracies and the invasion of Western Europe by Arab forces.
The roles of the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. are not clear in the beginning. The U.S.A. may be involved in the Far-East or at home or both. The U.S.S.R. may want to keep out of the fray at first, while abetting the Arab world, or may be involved in Siberia.
Civil wars rage in Western Europe. The Church is persecuted; the Pope leaves Rome and dies in exile; an anti-pope is installed in Rome; the Catholic Church is split, leaderless and completely disorganized. Communism is victorious. The Mohammedans invade Europe and commit innumerable atrocities.
In the West, however, Christians rally around an unexpected leader, an army officer of royal blood, but their chances seem very slim.
The natural disturbances begin: floods, droughts, famines. A comet approaches the earth: Whole mountains split open; huge tidal waves swallow up low-lying lands; stones fall from the sky; a deadly fog or gas poisons the atmosphere; a prolonged darkness envelops the earth. Two-thirds or three-fourths of the human race is wiped out.
The powers of evil are shattered. The Christian Prince leads his growing army to battle and wins victory upon victory. In West Germany he crushes a Germano-Russian Army. Communism collapses everywhere. The Mohammedans are thrown back to the sea. The war is carried to Africa and the Middle East, where the Arab Power is dealt a deadly blow. At this stage, if not earlier, U.S. troops come to the assistance of Western Europe.
Russia and China are converted to Catholicism, as also the Mohammedans. All non-Catholics return to Mother Church. A holy Pope is elected; he shows great firmness; and he re-
stores all the former disciplines in the Church. All the nations of Western Europe unite and form a new Roman Empire, and accept as their emperor the great Christian Prince, chosen by God, who works hand-in-hand with the holy Pope. The triumph of the Catholic Church is universal.
The whole world enjoys a period of complete peace and unprecedented prosperity in mutual love and respect among people and nations. This great peace will last until the coming of Antichrist.
JTH, there are sane voices in the Black Community. Candace Owens is a black woman I recently discovered (but she’s not new) who is extremely bright, sharp and brilliantly articulate in exposing the 4 year cycle of Blacks being worthy of notice by the DNC, among other uses. Such as providing their children as fodder for Planned Parenthood. What’s more, she will occasionally post videos on her Twitter account of Blacks in “The Hood” who have been awakened to their not so new enslavement. They speak the “language”, which can get pretty rough. They’re very angry.
Communism in the Midwest. Ronald Regan’s rolling over in his grave right now. These people who want defund the police and believe the concept of the police officer is based around slavery is goofy. Do they think the world never had some type of law enforcement or military prior to the Declaration of Independence or the Atlantic slave trade? Were there not sheriffs and constables in the medieval period in England? Or is the position of Sheriff of Nottingham just folklore? Didn’t Urban Cohorts act as a type of law enforcement in Ancient Rome? Have all history professors become revisionists?
Foolishness.
I feel honored to have had rubrics added to my comment :). Alas, Fr. Z, if I were a novice I’d be SmithnSJ. I’m professed, relatively traditional, known to dabble in the EF and would love to learn it one day. The “we” that I was using was referring to “we” the people of the United States of America. My comments were in response to Kathleen10’s remarks which reflect her fear that, if minorities were to take over they would force caucasians into “ghettoes”? and “slavery”? I apologize if that wasn’t clear. [Fully professed. Okay. Perhaps recently? I am serious, however, about the TLM. Perhaps if you are geographically still close to Madison…]
@Just Some Guy: That slavery wouldn’t have existed without ‘African slavers starting the process’ is dubious. What is certain is that American demand fueled the rapid growth of the Transatlantic slave trade, and that “we” the United States, continued to import slaves and grow our enslaved population even after the rest of the Western World abandoned the practice. Regarding the war to end slavery–why would I take any pride in that? Hundreds of thousands of Americans killed one another over whether a human being could be held in bondage in perpetuity. Teenagers from my home state, in the Confederacy, died defending an institution that was totally remote from them and evil. No, the institution was evil, the war accomplished something good, but at great great cost, and our country is still dealing with that evil to this day.
@JTH: We are still in the inner city. I work in inner city DC with homeless folks, and we have apostolates in Chicago, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, LA, and many other cities where we work with historically disadvantaged people. I’ve never read Saul Alinsky… I have read Saul of Tarsus. Maybe you should listen to what the protesters are asking for–whether you agree with/like it or not, they are pretty darn loud and clear about what they want.
Antonin: “The solution MUST be political and not violent.”
A reasonable point. Though, in our Fallen World, with over seven billion human beings with all their varying interests and behavior, a “solution” might not be a practical goal. A “solution” sets one on the path away from representative government- with its usual factions, bickering and imperfections- towards a totalitarian regime.
As we have seen, there are many who insist on violence in the streets. They insist that “the status quo” not be improved but destroyed. The goal of these militants is to build, from the human and material rubble they created, not a government but a regime. These militants are supported by “fellow travelers” who are enamored of carefully worded slogans and who do not grasp the sinister nature of the militant’s goal.
Your point about Christianity and mission territory is helpful. A return to faith and virtue is important. That requires, as you know, patience and persistence.
Faith in God and the practicing of the virtues are detested by secular cultists as obstacles to creating rubble. Thus, the uproar last week over the President holding a Bible in front of the Church of the Presidents and visiting with the First Lady the St. John Paul II Shrine.
If one wants to step back and take an overview of our situation, Gertrude Himmelfarb’s “One Nation, Two Cultures” could be helpful.
Which brings us back to your helpful observation about mission territory. We have work to do.
A city can be burnt in a day, rebuilding it is the work of a lifetime. Christus Vincit.
A Jesuit novice? They still have them?!
It’s shocking that someone in “Religious Life” would make such unfounded assumptions about the unknown (and largely unknowable) interior dispositions of another, let alone those of a priest of Jesus Christ.
But I’m a Southerner. We of the South know all about rash judgement.
Oledocfarmer. We had 83 give or take a few in the US and Canada assistancy last fall, and as far as I know we still have 70ish. That’s Just in the 5 novitiates in the USA and Canada. Pray for us, and I’ll pray for your faith because if a dispassionate truth scandalizes you, you must be struggling with the bad behavior all over the church these days. ???
Smith,SJ wrote:
“That slavery wouldn’t have existed without ‘African slavers starting the process’ is dubious.”
When the Portuguese arrived off the coast of West Africa, the African slave trade already existed, operated by African kings and Arab merchants.
Slavery was an ugly, dirty business but people of virtually every race, color, and creed engaged in it on every inhabited continent. And the people they enslaved were also of virtually every race, color, and creed. – Thomas Sowell
Thomas Sowell also wrote a trilogy of books: Conquests and Cultures, Migrations and Cultures, Race and Culture.
“Regarding the war to end slavery–why would I take any pride in that?”
See the Gettysburg Address.
“Maybe you should listen to what the protesters are asking for–whether you agree with/like it or not, they are pretty darn loud and clear about what they want.”
Maybe you could pay closer attention to the video posted above. Being “loud” does not mean their historical perspective is accurate or their cause just. Many have noted the violence and the goal of this cultural revolution.
Slavery exists today, sexual grooming gangs and trafficking exist today. Ending those evils would be a fruitful endeavor.
as Markus says:
“Slavery still exists. Muslim radicals employ it and let us not forget the recent, still active and growing sex slave industry. There is also the modern slavery of illegal drug addiction. Where is the outrage?”
And what about the slavery of abortion masquerading as birth control & healthcare.
Frankly, I think that if people out there are protesting this long already, it’s probably because they literally have too much time on their hands from not working because of the covid situation. Plus, it gives them the added excuse to leave the house instead of quarantining at home. I doubt people would be willing to protest this long under a normal working economy.
“Smith!!”
Have you read Lincoln’s Speech on the Repeal of the Missouri Compromise?
Smith: BTW hundreds of thousands of Catholics, mostly Irish, were dragooned into involuntary servitude to free the slaves
Do their blood sacrifices count?
Smith :
@Just Some Guy: That slavery wouldn’t have existed without ‘African slavers starting the process’ is dubious.
hmmmm, not really — Europeans have a History of fighting African slavers going back to late Antiquity.
Admittedly, it took until Britain decisively rejected it and had a Royal Navy to dominate the Atlantic, whilst Spain and France dominated the Mediterranean (both countries had abolished slavery centuries earlier) that it was mostly stopped ; but as to the seminal importance of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Yankees in the midst of these things, I would very much recommend the following article in the Spectator :
https://spectator.us/spectator-war-slavery-note-history/
Smith,
I’ve been listening to what blacks, hispanics, and other folks say for close to 37 years. Any “justice” they claim to want, any end of “systemic racism” they want, mostly fulfills the concerns that Kathleen10 raised. I can’t think of even one occasion when any black population ever had any need to listen to white people. Instead, anyone whose not an obvious minority will be assumed to hold racist motives, except those who “repent” and pledge allegiance to minority views. That’s not justice.
Watching this video–I just did–these protesters seem to favor abolishing any law enforcement, instead allowing for mob rule. For their sakes and mine, ..I hope we’ll stay this madness before some of their people or families wind up being hurt or killed. We seem to have begun down the path toward “overturning” the American Revolution; we seem bent to redoing the French Revolution. If we continue down that path, …it’s only a matter of time before someone dredges up an excuse to set a guillotine.
Dark times indeed.
We must pray fervently now.
Freedom Inc. and similar groups are proxy warriors for the ruling elite whether they realize it or not (useful idiots). This is right out of the communist playbook—problem, reaction, solution, as well as divide and conquer. The end result of this agitation and chaos will be a more centralized and totalitarian government and a federally controlled police force like you wouldn’t believe unless you’ve lived in a communist state. Our Lady of Fatima said that “Russia’s errors will spread throughout the world,” and more lockdowns government “solutions” are coming. Our Lady also said, “only she can help you.”
I am.
Kathleen10, could you elaborate on your allusion to South Africa, please?
I’m a bit rusty on the topic, and it’s not clear to me what parallel you’re drawing.
Thank you
Our Lady of Fatima warned that the errors of Russia would spread throughout the world. If we interpret Marxism as one of the “errors of Russia,” then that would include violent revolution against a “capitalist” system. One of Marx’ most prominent strategies was to foster class conflict along the lines of an oppressed versus oppressor model, again recommending violent revolution if needed. Subsequent Marxist influence has applied this model of class conflict not only to economic class, but also to race and gender, as the rhetoric against oppressive “white supremacy” and “patriarchy” displays in this video.
Smith, SJ: “Maybe you should listen to what the protesters are asking for–whether you agree with/like it or not, they are pretty darn loud and clear about what they want.”
From Black Lives Matter website (What We Believe):
We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead.
We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.
We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered.
We make our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work.
We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.
Founders of the organization “Black Lives Matter”:
Patrisse Cullors (born June 20, 1983) is an American artist and activist. Cullors is an advocate for prison abolition in Los Angeles and a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. She also identifies as a queer activist.
Janaya Khan is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto. They also serve as an International Ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network. Khan identifies as black, queer, gender-nonconforming. They are an activist, author, and amateur competitive boxer. Much of their work analyzes intersectional topics including the Black Lives Matter movement, queer theory, Black feminism, and organized protest strategies. They are married to Black Lives Matter (U.S.) co-founder Patrisse Cullors.
Alicia Garza (born January 4, 1981) is an American civil rights activist and writer known for co-founding the Black Lives Matter movement. She has organized around the issues of health, student services and rights, rights for domestic workers, ending police brutality, anti-racism, and violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people of color. She describes herself as a Marxist and a queer social justice activist.
Opal Tometi is a Nigerian-American human rights activist, writer, strategist, and community organizer. She is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter.[2] She is the former Executive Director of the United States’ first national immigrant rights organization for people of African descent – the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).
This Press Conference of the Association of New York Police Unions is well worth watching, and it illustrates very well how far the Police and Public are being let down by Politicians’ rank cowardice in the face of these Communists, Anarchists, Rioters, Looters, and violent revolutionaries :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nhWAAKSDBQ
Even though I live on the edge of Washington, D.C., in suburban Maryland, and work in blue-collar Northeast DC, the consequences of the latest disruptions so far have been curious. With respect to the people I encounter every day, casually or otherwise, little has changed: we get along (or don’t) about the same as we ever got along (or didn’t). We don’t check our “race” or “privilege” cards before engaging in whatever we have to engage in. Hooligans (irrespective of the color of their skin) who feel empowered by ideology have been doing a bit more chest-thumping, but so far I have not been compelled to pay much attention. Also, I’ve been steering clear of the hipster coffee shops and such, half of which are closed down anyhow.
Like the power seizures that have accompanied the Chinese virus panic, the riots and their sequelae have been as much about attention-seeking as about anything substantive (not that they haven’t had grave substantive after-effects). What seems to be enraging the cultural Marxists and their PC fellow travelers most is that there are a lot of people who aren’t paying attention to them. We don’t consume their Soros-engineered news, and we couldn’t care less about their virtue-signaling picket signs and bumper stickers.
Barring immediate danger to ourself or our neighbor, and having made needful logistical and spiritual preparations, maybe the best thing to do is to let the ragers get it out of their system while we reclaim our wrecked lives as best we can, instead of rising to the ragers’ bait as they want us to.