My Thoughts

The Left controls academia, the news media,  Hollywood, the technology sector,  and most mayoral/city government positions. In other words,  a whole lot of our most important institutions. If institutional racism is real - and I'm not saying it's not - then which "side" is really to blame?

I agree

BLM and Covid

However you feel about the protests, it's obvious participants feel the cause worthy of risking the spread of Covid.

To bitterly compare their actions to your right to drink in a bar or go to a concert is ridiculous. Just stop. 

But I will say, there should no longer be an argument against in person voting. The value of a ballot outweighs the risk; if you were willing to protest in a group, you can stand six feet from someone at a polling station.

A Message from the State Bar

As the leadership of the State Bar of Wisconsin, we are disturbed and disgusted by the actions of an attorney who allegedly spat in the face of a protester during a demonstration on Saturday. We do not condone this behavior under any circumstance – period. 

The State Bar of Wisconsin champions integrity, civility, and respect in dealings with the public, colleagues, clients, and the courts. The behavior of lawyers and others directly contributes to the public’s confidence in our justice system. We unequivocally support equal justice and the right of all citizens to peacefully protest. 

 News reports indicate local Shorewood officials are handling this matter with charges being referred to the district attorney’s office this week. While the State Bar has no authority to discipline lawyers, the State of Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation investigates complaints and ultimately the Wisconsin Supreme Court imposes sanctions on licensed attorneys.

Jill Kastner, president 

Kathy Brost, president-elect 

Cheryl Daniels, incoming president-elect 

Chris Rogers, past president

Larry Martin, executive director

Voting and BLM

Probably the first and last time Shaun King and I will ever agree on anything.

On Defunding the Police

"Defund the police" has to be the most shortsighted political goal of these protests.

Eliminate the post 911 militarization of police forces, sure. I'm all for rectifying that error. But defunding the police department itself, while simultaneously advocating the restriction of the 2nd Amendment? Who thought that sounded like a good plan? 

And yes, I know "defund" leaves a semblance of a police force intact, albeit much smaller and, in most plans, much neutered.

Essentially, even in articles meant to promote this concept, it's a matter of passing the buck: making other, as yet not extant, entities, assume the policing functions of the mentally ill, the homeless, and minorities. 

Do you really think this will affect celebrities like Natalie Portman and Chrissy Tiegan, both of whom support the idea? You think they won't hire private, heavily armed security for their precious mansions, while leaving the poor to suffer without protection? They will. 

And once again, it's the poor and the marginalized that will suffer.

Something to Think About

Smartest comment on the web today (all year?): "All the controversy and ill will could have been avoided if they'd just made their slogan #BlackLivesMatterToo."

Wouldn't have worked. It was the exclusive aspect that made it possible to fire up the rabble. 

You just can't inspire decent riots, looting, arson and mayhem with inclusive, rational slogans.  

-Fred