hotair--2020-06-22--NASCAR whodunit: Who hung a noose in Bubba Wallace's garage stall? <span class='red'>Update: FBI, Do

NASCAR whodunit: Who hung a noose in Bubba Wallace's garage stall? Update: FBI, DoJ called in

How much of a mystery could this be ?
After the discovery of a noose in Bubba Wallace ’ s garage stall in Talladega , NASCAR announced that they would kick the perpetrator out of racing for good once identified .
One way or another , the league apparently feels that this potential hate crime must be an inside job : NASCAR announced Sunday that a noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell “ Bubba ” Wallace Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama , just weeks after the racing circuit ’ s only African American driver emblazoned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his car and successfully pushed the organization to ban displays of the Confederate flag .
NASCAR said in a statement that it launched an immediate investigation into the matter , noting that it is “ angry and outraged ” by the “ heinous act.
” “ [ We ] will do everything we can to identify the person responsible and eliminate them from the sport , ” it said .
“ As we have stated unequivocally , there is no place for racism in NASCAR , and this act only strengthens our resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all.
” Late last night , Wallace himself made his feelings known about the incident : The presumption is that this is a reaction to Wallace ’ s success in banning Confederate iconography from NASCAR .
Thanks to a long track record on hate crimes of late , one has to at least entertain the possibility of a hoax … but maybe only theoretically .
Wallace ’ s campaign turned out to be unpopular with NASCAR fans , and someone might have thought that this kind of incident would quiet down criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a Jussie Smollett type of incident involving Wallace himself , for the simple reason that Wallace had already won the point and had considerable support for it within NASCAR and his fellow racers .
It ’ s not impossible that someone on Wallace ’ s team tried this kind of stunt , but it seems very unlikely .
There ’ s simply too little benefit for it .
That leaves us with the anger over the ban on Confederate iconography , or — possibly and — Wallace ’ s status as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would leave thousands of potential suspects , including the fans who came to Talladega yesterday defiantly displaying Confederate flags .
However , how many fans get access to NASCAR garage stalls ?
Presumably zero , as even a laissez-faire approach to security would still need to prevent people from wandering around cars that would be racing the next day and potentially tampering with them .
The only people with access to the garage stalls should be NASCAR racers , their teams , and other NASCAR personnel , including security .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously , and hinting that the perp may be someone within the racing community .
That ’ s a fair bet , at least for now , regardless of what the motive may have been .
Speaking of security , CBS ’ Gayle King and Jericka Duncan bring up an obvious point : where is the surveillance video ?
Surely these facilities must have some video cameras posted for security purposes .
NASCAR itself brings in hundreds of millions of dollars per year , and its teams get revenue in the eight-to-nine-figure range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equipment gets kept must have some sort of surveillance video , no ?
At least at its access points ?
They might also have a card-access system , or at least should , to prevent unauthorized entries .
If this is a mystery , it shouldn ’ t be a long-lived one .
It won ’ t take Hercule Poirot to solve this whodunit if NASCAR took security at all seriously .
Technologically , this is the 21st century , even if it ’ s still the 19th century in the minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : NASCAR has escalated this to the top rather quickly .
They asked the FBI to take part in the investigation , which might crowd out the local sheriff : The Department of Justice has also gotten a team in place for the probe : The local sheriff might not mind having the FBI take the lead on this case .
It ’ ll be a headache no matter what the investigation finds .
It does tend to reinforce just how seriously NASCAR feels about this incident , too , and how determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .

How much of a mystery could this be? After the discovery of a noose in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall in Talladega, NASCAR announced that they would kick the perpetrator out of racing for good once identified. One way or another, the league apparently feels that this potential hate crime must be an inside job:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO4cs9utHRs
NASCAR announced Sunday that a noose was found in the garage stall of Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, just weeks after the racing circuit’s only African American driver emblazoned a “Black Lives Matter” message across his car and successfully pushed the organization to ban displays of the Confederate flag. NASCAR said in a statement that it launched an immediate investigation into the matter, noting that it is “angry and outraged” by the “heinous act.” “[We] will do everything we can to identify the person responsible and eliminate them from the sport,” it said. “As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.”
Late last night, Wallace himself made his feelings known about the incident:
The presumption is that this is a reaction to Wallace’s success in banning Confederate iconography from NASCAR. Thanks to a long track record on hate crimes of late, one has to at least entertain the possibility of a hoax … but maybe only theoretically. Wallace’s campaign turned out to be unpopular with NASCAR fans, and someone might have thought that this kind of incident would quiet down criticism. However, this seems unlikely to be a Jussie Smollett type of incident involving Wallace himself, for the simple reason that Wallace had already won the point and had considerable support for it within NASCAR and his fellow racers. It’s not impossible that someone on Wallace’s team tried this kind of stunt, but it seems very unlikely. There’s simply too little benefit for it.
That leaves us with the anger over the ban on Confederate iconography, or — possibly and — Wallace’s status as the lone full-time black racer in NASCAR. That would leave thousands of potential suspects, including the fans who came to Talladega yesterday defiantly displaying Confederate flags. However, how many fans get access to NASCAR garage stalls? Presumably zero, as even a laissez-faire approach to security would still need to prevent people from wandering around cars that would be racing the next day and potentially tampering with them. The only people with access to the garage stalls should be NASCAR racers, their teams, and other NASCAR personnel, including security.
That’s why NASCAR’s taking this seriously, and hinting that the perp may be someone within the racing community. That’s a fair bet, at least for now, regardless of what the motive may have been.
Speaking of security, CBS’ Gayle King and Jericka Duncan bring up an obvious point: where is the surveillance video? Surely these facilities must have some video cameras posted for security purposes. NASCAR itself brings in hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and its teams get revenue in the eight-to-nine-figure range, too. The garage stalls where the equipment gets kept must have some sort of surveillance video, no? At least at its access points? They might also have a card-access system, or at least should, to prevent unauthorized entries.
If this is a mystery, it shouldn’t be a long-lived one. It won’t take Hercule Poirot to solve this whodunit if NASCAR took security at all seriously. Technologically, this is the 21st century, even if it’s still the 19th century in the minds of a few malevolent idiots.
Update: NASCAR has escalated this to the top rather quickly. They asked the FBI to take part in the investigation, which might crowd out the local sheriff:
Authorities said Monday that the FBI is investigating the discovery of a noose found in the Talladega Superspeedway garage stall of Bubba Wallace and the governor of Alabama condemned the act against NASCAR’s only Black full-time driver. … Talladega County Sheriff Jimmy Kilgore said NASCAR contacted the FBI, which was handling the investigation. The FBI field office in Birmingham did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.
The Department of Justice has also gotten a team in place for the probe:
NEW: Federal authorities reviewing incident of noose found in garage stall of Black NASCAR driver: "Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society." https://t.co/jM8pbhhNhZ pic.twitter.com/kBtAxOqMt0 — ABC News (@ABC) June 22, 2020
The local sheriff might not mind having the FBI take the lead on this case. It’ll be a headache no matter what the investigation finds. It does tend to reinforce just how seriously NASCAR feels about this incident, too, and how determined they are to get to the bottom of it.


hotair--2020-06-22--New York Museum of Natural History: Teddy Roosevelt isn't canceled but the equestrian statue of him

New York Museum of Natural History: Teddy Roosevelt isn't canceled but the equestrian statue of him is

This is an interesting case inasmuch as the museum *isn ’ t* rejecting Roosevelt altogether .
On the contrary .
According to the Times , not only are three spaces inside the building already named for TR , a fourth will now be added to “ compensate ” for the removal of the statue : The Hall of Biodiversity will become the Roosevelt Hall of Biodiversity “ in recognition of his conservation legacy.
” Their problem with the statue is specific to the statue .
It features a majestic TR astride a horse with a Native American walking beside him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking on his left , “ clearly a narrative of white racial superiority and domination , ” as one Columbia professor put it .
What ’ s an institution to do with a monument whose central figure warrants celebration but which celebrates him in a “ problematic ” way ?
My framework for analyzing whether a monument is appropriate is to look not just at the person being celebrated but at the cause that the monument is designed to extol .
In the case of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson , the cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worth celebrating , their racial sins notwithstanding .
In the case of Confederate officers , the cause is secession and war on the United States in defense of slavery .
That ’ s not worth celebrating , their valor notwithstanding .
I can imagine absurd hypotheticals in which a deeply malevolent figure is honored with a monument for a benevolent act — e.g.
, a statue of Hitler to celebrate the Autobahn — but “ focus on the cause , not the man ” is a rule that usually works .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you have a monument of a worthy figure that ’ s presented in an unworthy way ?
Imagine a statue of Washington , whip in hand , with a group of slaves at Mount Vernon .
In that case it ’ d be far less clear which cause based on Washington ’ s life work , specifically , was actually being honored .
Is it a monument to American independence or to African-American bondage ?
The museum ’ s problem with the Roosevelt equestrian state is even trickier .
The cause it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in championing it , is noble .
But the imagery of the white hero accompanied by the seemingly inferior native peoples of Africa and North America in serving that cause is cringy .
For years the museum has acknowledged that cringiness while leaving the statue be , despite occasional acts of vandalism against it .
Now it ’ s decided that it ’ s no longer worth the trouble .
“ Over the last few weeks , our museum community has been profoundly moved by the ever-widening movement for racial justice that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , ” the museum ’ s president , Ellen V. Futter , said in an interview .
“ We have watched as the attention of the world and the country has increasingly turned to statues as powerful and hurtful symbols of systemic racism.
” Ms. Futter made clear that the museum ’ s decision was based on the statue itself — namely its “ hierarchical composition ” —- and not on Roosevelt , whom the museum continues to honor as “ a pioneering conservationist.
” “ The American Museum of Natural History @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement .
“ The City supports the Museum ’ s request .
It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue.
” … “ The world does not need statues , relics of another age , that reflect neither the values of the person they intend to honor nor the values of equality and justice , ” said Theodore Roosevelt IV , age 77 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a museum trustee .
“ The composition of the Equestrian Statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelt ’ s legacy .
It is time to move the statue and move forward.
” Just to make this more complicated , it ’ s not undisputed that the statue is intended to show Africans and Native Americans as inferior to Roosevelt .
It clearly looks that way to the modern eye , and no doubt plenty of Americans would have affirmed their belief in that inferiority when the statue went up .
But : Pope did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroic group ” but the MONH website also notes that he described the African member of the group as “ primitive.
” Would leaving the statue in place with a plaque offering Senie ’ s take on the symbolism suffice ?
What about two plaques , one offering a more innocuous allegorical interpretation of the statue and the other a more critical read on the white hero ’ s exalted status in the image ?
What about a new statue in which TR is simply walking with the Native American and African figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that problematic too ?
The museum could eliminate the “ white superiority ” message by having the Native American and African figures removed , but , er , I ’ m thinking that would make things worse , not better .
We all know what Trump thinks , but just in case you ’ re stumped : This is fundamentally different from the other statue debates in that it ’ s a debate over meaning more so than “ tradition.
” The statues of Confederates are clear enough in their symbolism ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re part of the country ’ s heritage , for better or worse , and that leftist droogs will start smashing statues of Washington if we let them smash statues of Robert E. Lee .
( A perfectly plausible argument , by the way . )
Those arguments apply to the TR statue too but underlying them is an argument about meaning .
Did the sculptor and the museum ’ s leadership intend to send the message that Native Americans and Africans ?
Even if they didn ’ t , if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking from the image , is it worth leaving it in place instead of honoring TR in some less ambiguous way ?
Here ’ s Democrat Jason Crow , who doesn ’ t seem to care about any of these nuances .

This is an interesting case inasmuch as the museum *isn’t* rejecting Roosevelt altogether. On the contrary. According to the Times, not only are three spaces inside the building already named for TR, a fourth will now be added to “compensate” for the removal of the statue: The Hall of Biodiversity will become the Roosevelt Hall of Biodiversity “in recognition of his conservation legacy.”
Their problem with the statue is specific to the statue. It features a majestic TR astride a horse with a Native American walking beside him on his right and an African man walking on his left, “clearly a narrative of white racial superiority and domination,” as one Columbia professor put it. What’s an institution to do with a monument whose central figure warrants celebration but which celebrates him in a “problematic” way? My framework for analyzing whether a monument is appropriate is to look not just at the person being celebrated but at the cause that the monument is designed to extol. In the case of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, the cause is American liberty and independence. That’s worth celebrating, their racial sins notwithstanding. In the case of Confederate officers, the cause is secession and war on the United States in defense of slavery. That’s not worth celebrating, their valor notwithstanding. I can imagine absurd hypotheticals in which a deeply malevolent figure is honored with a monument for a benevolent act — e.g., a statue of Hitler to celebrate the Autobahn — but “focus on the cause, not the man” is a rule that usually works.
What do you do, though, if you have a monument of a worthy figure that’s presented in an unworthy way? Imagine a statue of Washington, whip in hand, with a group of slaves at Mount Vernon. In that case it’d be far less clear which cause based on Washington’s life work, specifically, was actually being honored. Is it a monument to American independence or to African-American bondage? The museum’s problem with the Roosevelt equestrian state is even trickier. The cause it honors, conservation and Roosevelt’s role in championing it, is noble. But the imagery of the white hero accompanied by the seemingly inferior native peoples of Africa and North America in serving that cause is cringy. For years the museum has acknowledged that cringiness while leaving the statue be, despite occasional acts of vandalism against it. Now it’s decided that it’s no longer worth the trouble.
“Over the last few weeks, our museum community has been profoundly moved by the ever-widening movement for racial justice that has emerged after the killing of George Floyd,” the museum’s president, Ellen V. Futter, said in an interview. “We have watched as the attention of the world and the country has increasingly turned to statues as powerful and hurtful symbols of systemic racism.” Ms. Futter made clear that the museum’s decision was based on the statue itself — namely its “hierarchical composition”—- and not on Roosevelt, whom the museum continues to honor as “a pioneering conservationist.” “The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “The City supports the Museum’s request. It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue.”… “The world does not need statues, relics of another age, that reflect neither the values of the person they intend to honor nor the values of equality and justice,” said Theodore Roosevelt IV, age 77, a great-grandson of the 26th president and a museum trustee. “The composition of the Equestrian Statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy. It is time to move the statue and move forward.”
Just to make this more complicated, it’s not undisputed that the statue is intended to show Africans and Native Americans as inferior to Roosevelt. It clearly looks that way to the modern eye, and no doubt plenty of Americans would have affirmed their belief in that inferiority when the statue went up. But:
“[Architect John Russell] Pope refers to the figures as a ‘heroic group.’ That’s important. In some criticisms, the standing figures were taken to be lesser than Roosevelt. That was never the intention. They are allegorical figures representing Africa and America, emphasized by the animals on the parapet reliefs.”—Harriet F. Senie, Director, M.A. Art History, Art Museum Studies, The City College of New York
Pope did refer to the three as a “heroic group” but the MONH website also notes that he described the African member of the group as “primitive.” Would leaving the statue in place with a plaque offering Senie’s take on the symbolism suffice? What about two plaques, one offering a more innocuous allegorical interpretation of the statue and the other a more critical read on the white hero’s exalted status in the image? What about a new statue in which TR is simply walking with the Native American and African figures? Or would their stereotypical presentation make that problematic too?
The museum could eliminate the “white superiority” message by having the Native American and African figures removed, but, er, I’m thinking that would make things worse, not better.
We all know what Trump thinks, but just in case you’re stumped:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1274924951624200192
This is fundamentally different from the other statue debates in that it’s a debate over meaning more so than “tradition.” The statues of Confederates are clear enough in their symbolism; the arguments for keeping them are that they’re part of the country’s heritage, for better or worse, and that leftist droogs will start smashing statues of Washington if we let them smash statues of Robert E. Lee. (A perfectly plausible argument, by the way.) Those arguments apply to the TR statue too but underlying them is an argument about meaning. Did the sculptor and the museum’s leadership intend to send the message that Native Americans and Africans? Even if they didn’t, if that’s the message that many passersby are taking from the image, is it worth leaving it in place instead of honoring TR in some less ambiguous way?
Here’s Democrat Jason Crow, who doesn’t seem to care about any of these nuances.


hotair--2020-06-22--Trump celebrates border wall milestone as opponents continue to fight against it

The construction of a border wall between the U.S. southern border and Mexico is a top priority for the Trump administration .
President Trump campaigned on the need for a physical barrier at the border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States .
Progress has been slow .
On Tuesday President Trump travels to Yuma , Arizona to celebrate the completion of 200 miles of border wall construction .
Trump is scheduled to receive a briefing on the border wall construction , followed by a roundtable discussion on border security with local community leaders and elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border wall and take the opportunity to thank U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement for their work .
From Yuma , he will fly to Phoenix to speak at a Students for Trump convention .
The Trump entourage will include Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf , Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli , and Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan .
The goal of the Trump administration is to complete 400 miles of border wall ahead of Election Day .
Trump has frequently referenced the importance of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slowing illegal immigration .
The coronavirus pandemic brought an additional angle to Trump ’ s pitch – a border wall helps keep deadly disease and infections out of the United States .
There are still problems in getting everyone on board with building the wall along the border .
In a rural border county in Texas , Zapata County , a battle is being waged over access to four acres .
Zapata County is located between Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley .
The commissioners court is challenging the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a small tract of county-owned land .
Access to the land is needed to allow federal officials the right to survey the property for possible future construction projects .
Attorney Carlos Flores is representing the county .
He is making the county ’ s case that the county is not looking for an agreement .
The county doesn ’ t want to do anything to assist in future wall construction .
Access to survey the land is seen as the first step to construction .
County officials are concerned about a bird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard before .
The last time protecting birds from a wall was in the news , it was in Arizona .
“ For the [ Trump administration ] it ’ s just a routine matter .
But the county has taken the position that they are not going to approach it that way , ” he said .
“ Zapata County is not looking to reach an agreement , but rather challenge the authority of the federal government to do this.
” And last month , the administration announced it was waiving several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 70 miles of new barrier from north of Laredo to Zapata County .
Now Zapata County is trying to protect a roughly four-acre tract of land that ’ s home to a bird sanctuary in the town of San Ygnacio , which lies about 35 miles south of Laredo .
“ We attract a lot of visitors to that area , it ’ s a habitat that we don ’ t want necessarily to be disturbed , ” said Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell .
The bird sanctuary is just an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s just an excuse to stop Trump ’ s wall .
The county officials even drop the mask enough to signal that they are hoping for a new president after the November election .
This battle began in May .
“ It ’ s important for the court to figure out what exactly is the plan for these areas , ” Rathmell said , adding that the commissioners court isn ’ t against border security .
He said National Guard soldiers are a familiar sight in the area and Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance , which most of the community is fine with .
“ We just don ’ t feel a physical barrier is the best solution for our county , ” he said .
The next step is a pre-trial conference scheduled for August .
Flores said the court case could extend into the fall .
He added that the fight isn ’ t just an attempt to run out the clock and hope that the November election brings a new administration .
“ It ’ s not just a delay tactic , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s go on the offensive ’ [ mentality ] , ” Flores said .
“ We also have to have a strategy if there isn ’ t a change in the White House , and I think that this is the moment to be prepared for that.
” Marlarkey , Mr. Flores .
This is a delay tactic , hoping to run out the clock until the November election .
The open borders crowd is using birds as an excuse to deny access to a 4 acre plot of land .
Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about sticking it to the bad Orange Man .
By bringing up “ a change in the White House ” , he admitted it .

The construction of a border wall between the U.S. southern border and Mexico is a top priority for the Trump administration. President Trump campaigned on the need for a physical barrier at the border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States. Progress has been slow.
On Tuesday President Trump travels to Yuma, Arizona to celebrate the completion of 200 miles of border wall construction. Trump is scheduled to receive a briefing on the border wall construction, followed by a roundtable discussion on border security with local community leaders and elected leaders. The president will tour the border wall and take the opportunity to thank U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement for their work. From Yuma, he will fly to Phoenix to speak at a Students for Trump convention. The Trump entourage will include Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, and Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan.
The goal of the Trump administration is to complete 400 miles of border wall ahead of Election Day. Trump has frequently referenced the importance of a border wall in terms of national security and slowing illegal immigration. The coronavirus pandemic brought an additional angle to Trump’s pitch – a border wall helps keep deadly disease and infections out of the United States.
There are still problems in getting everyone on board with building the wall along the border. In a rural border county in Texas, Zapata County, a battle is being waged over access to four acres. Zapata County is located between Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. The commissioners court is challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in federal court over access to a small tract of county-owned land. Access to the land is needed to allow federal officials the right to survey the property for possible future construction projects.
Attorney Carlos Flores is representing the county. He is making the county’s case that the county is not looking for an agreement. The county doesn’t want to do anything to assist in future wall construction. Access to survey the land is seen as the first step to construction. County officials are concerned about a bird sanctuary, an argument we’ve heard before. The last time protecting birds from a wall was in the news, it was in Arizona.
“For the [Trump administration] it’s just a routine matter. But the county has taken the position that they are not going to approach it that way,” he said. “Zapata County is not looking to reach an agreement, but rather challenge the authority of the federal government to do this.” And last month, the administration announced it was waiving several environmental policies to help fast track construction of about 70 miles of new barrier from north of Laredo to Zapata County. Now Zapata County is trying to protect a roughly four-acre tract of land that’s home to a bird sanctuary in the town of San Ygnacio, which lies about 35 miles south of Laredo. “We attract a lot of visitors to that area, it’s a habitat that we don’t want necessarily to be disturbed,” said Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell.
The bird sanctuary is just an excuse. Let’s face it, it’s just an excuse to stop Trump’s wall. The county officials even drop the mask enough to signal that they are hoping for a new president after the November election. This battle began in May.
“It’s important for the court to figure out what exactly is the plan for these areas,” Rathmell said, adding that the commissioners court isn’t against border security. He said National Guard soldiers are a familiar sight in the area and Homeland Security has installed an aerostat blimp for surveillance, which most of the community is fine with. “We just don’t feel a physical barrier is the best solution for our county,” he said. The next step is a pre-trial conference scheduled for August. Flores said the court case could extend into the fall. He added that the fight isn’t just an attempt to run out the clock and hope that the November election brings a new administration. “It’s not just a delay tactic, it’s actually a ‘Let’s go on the offensive’ [mentality],” Flores said. “We also have to have a strategy if there isn’t a change in the White House, and I think that this is the moment to be prepared for that.”
Marlarkey, Mr. Flores. This is a delay tactic, hoping to run out the clock until the November election. The open borders crowd is using birds as an excuse to deny access to a 4 acre plot of land. Let’s be honest, it’s all about sticking it to the bad Orange Man. By bringing up “a change in the White House”, he admitted it.


hotair--2020-06-22--Will SCOTUS return this woman's guns to her?

As you may have noticed , the Supreme Court has been rather “ gunshy ” ( sad pun intended ) about taking up any new Second Amendment cases this year .
On June 15th , the court refused to hear nearly a dozen cases involving gun rights and gun control laws .
But there ’ s one more item that could wind up on their plate and it involves a California woman named Lori Rodriguez .
Back in 2013 , police raided her home in San Jose in response to a potential domestic violence report about her husband and forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun safe .
They confiscated all of the firearms found within .
Now , seven years later , they are still refusing to return them to her , so Rodriguez has turned to the courts for relief .
( Free Beacon ) In 2013 , Lori Rodriguez called San Jose police to her home because her husband was having a mental health crisis and making violent threats .
Seven years later , she is petitioning the Supreme Court to force the city to return her guns .
“ It ’ s not right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this to get back what ’ s mine , ” Rodriguez told the Washington Free Beacon .
“ They violated several of my constitutional rights.
” Rodriguez claims police ordered her to open the couple ’ s gun safe so they could seize all of the weapons in the home after her husband was detained for making threats that the city says included “ shooting up schools.
” Cops seized not only her husband ’ s weapons but also the guns that were personally registered to Rodriguez .
The city has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least at the time of the initial investigation , it ’ s understandable that the police would take an interest in any firearms in the house .
Rodriguez ’ s husband had reportedly been acting in an unstable fashion , including allegedly making threats to “ shoot up a school.
” Had the police not looked into his access to weapons at that point they would have been criminally negligent .
But the story took a turn when Mrs. Rodriguez was instructed to open up their gun safe and allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and depart .
According to both the husband and wife , only Lori Rodriguez knew the combination to the gun safe .
That remains the situation to this day .
Further , though both of them owned firearms in 2013 , Mrs. Rodriguez has taken the additional steps of transferring all of the firearms so they are under her name only .
Her husband no longer owns or has legal access to any of them .
The two apparently got past their previous problems and are still living together .
The question the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of Mr. Rodriguez in the home is sufficient cause to deprive his wife of her firearms .
The case can certainly be made that her husband ’ s mental stability back in 2013 was questionable , but at no time has Lori Rodriguez ’ s mental health been disputed .
If she ’ s keeping her firearms in an approved gun safe and her husband doesn ’ t know the combination , what purpose is being served by continuing to keep them from her ?
The city ’ s attorney , Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for San Jose ’ s case thus far .
In a brief submitted to the Supreme Court this week , he claimed that the plaintiff ’ s Second Amendment rights weren ’ t being denied because , “ The forfeiture does nothing whatever to impair the previous owner ’ s right to buy , possess , or use firearms , and notwithstanding that the owner may recover the full market value of the guns through their transfer and sale.
” Hold the phone a minute here .
So you ’ re saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodriguez purchasing new firearms and storing them in her safe ?
Then doesn ’ t that mean that you recognize her right and ability to safely possess firearms ?
And if that ’ s the case , then why aren ’ t her other firearms being returned ?
It ’ s a circular argument that shouldn ’ t hold water .
If the court agrees to take the case , I would hope that Mrs. Rodriguez prevails .
The bigger concern is whether or not she will ever have her day in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment cases like crazy lately .
It will be a sad , but not unexpected disappointment if they dodge this one too .

As you may have noticed, the Supreme Court has been rather “gunshy” (sad pun intended) about taking up any new Second Amendment cases this year. On June 15th, the court refused to hear nearly a dozen cases involving gun rights and gun control laws. But there’s one more item that could wind up on their plate and it involves a California woman named Lori Rodriguez. Back in 2013, police raided her home in San Jose in response to a potential domestic violence report about her husband and forced her to open her family’s gun safe. They confiscated all of the firearms found within. Now, seven years later, they are still refusing to return them to her, so Rodriguez has turned to the courts for relief. (Free Beacon)
In 2013, Lori Rodriguez called San Jose police to her home because her husband was having a mental health crisis and making violent threats. Seven years later, she is petitioning the Supreme Court to force the city to return her guns. “It’s not right. I shouldn’t have to do this to get back what’s mine,” Rodriguez told the Washington Free Beacon. “They violated several of my constitutional rights.” Rodriguez claims police ordered her to open the couple’s gun safe so they could seize all of the weapons in the home after her husband was detained for making threats that the city says included “shooting up schools.” Cops seized not only her husband’s weapons but also the guns that were personally registered to Rodriguez. The city has repeatedly rebuffed her requests to return her property.
At least at the time of the initial investigation, it’s understandable that the police would take an interest in any firearms in the house. Rodriguez’s husband had reportedly been acting in an unstable fashion, including allegedly making threats to “shoot up a school.” Had the police not looked into his access to weapons at that point they would have been criminally negligent. But the story took a turn when Mrs. Rodriguez was instructed to open up their gun safe and allow the cops to collect all of their weapons and depart.
According to both the husband and wife, only Lori Rodriguez knew the combination to the gun safe. That remains the situation to this day. Further, though both of them owned firearms in 2013, Mrs. Rodriguez has taken the additional steps of transferring all of the firearms so they are under her name only. Her husband no longer owns or has legal access to any of them. The two apparently got past their previous problems and are still living together.
The question the courts need to answer is whether the presence of Mr. Rodriguez in the home is sufficient cause to deprive his wife of her firearms. The case can certainly be made that her husband’s mental stability back in 2013 was questionable, but at no time has Lori Rodriguez’s mental health been disputed. If she’s keeping her firearms in an approved gun safe and her husband doesn’t know the combination, what purpose is being served by continuing to keep them from her?
The city’s attorney, Richard Doyle, hasn’t done much for San Jose’s case thus far. In a brief submitted to the Supreme Court this week, he claimed that the plaintiff’s Second Amendment rights weren’t being denied because, “The forfeiture does nothing whatever to impair the previous owner’s right to buy, possess, or use firearms, and notwithstanding that the owner may recover the full market value of the guns through their transfer and sale.”
Hold the phone a minute here. So you’re saying that the city would be fine with Lori Rodriguez purchasing new firearms and storing them in her safe? Then doesn’t that mean that you recognize her right and ability to safely possess firearms? And if that’s the case, then why aren’t her other firearms being returned? It’s a circular argument that shouldn’t hold water.
If the court agrees to take the case, I would hope that Mrs. Rodriguez prevails. The bigger concern is whether or not she will ever have her day in court. The Supremes have been ducking Second Amendment cases like crazy lately. It will be a sad, but not unexpected disappointment if they dodge this one too.


hotair--2020-06-22--Scott, DeSantis: Florida's new COVID-19 spike not just related to testing

To put Florida ’ s recent COVID-19 spike in Seinfeldian terms — it ’ s real , and they ’ re hoping to keep it from being spectacular .
When diagnosed cases began rising sharply this month , state officials cited the context of greatly increased testing as the reason rather than a second-wave outbreak .
This morning , however , Sen. Rick Scott ( R-FL ) told CNBC ’ s Squawk Box that the rate of confirmed diagnoses has outstripped the rate of testing increase , which means … “ we have work to do , ” Scott said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing but it ’ s clearly not all tied to testing , ” the Senator said on CNBC ’ s Squawk Box Monday morning .
“ We clearly haven ’ t beat it .
I think everybody is concerned when they read about the number of cases being up .
The deaths aren ’ t growing like that , so that ’ s a positive.
” Scott said .
When asked if there was a possibility for deaths to catch up to the surge in cases , the Senator demurred .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that “ so far ” the health care system has handled the surge .
“ We clearly haven ’ t beat it .
We ’ ve got to keep focusing … we ’ ve got a lot of work to do , ” Scott said , noting the potential of the disease surging in places that may have thought they ’ d beaten the coronavirus .
Governor Ron DeSantis also backed down from the “ context ” argument this weekend , noting that the spread has now accelerated in younger Floridians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines more seriously , but still professed reluctance to dictate those protocols : Pointing to a “ significant ” increase in the number of coronavirus cases among younger people , Governor Ron DeSantis reiterated the need for Floridians to practice social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus .
During a news conference on Saturday , DeSantis attributed the sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the state to residents in their 20s and 30s – who may not be as vulnerable for serious illness but still run the risk of spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But with the spike of positive cases reported this past week – Florida set a record on Saturday with 4,049 new cases in 24 hours , bringing the total to 93,797 – DeSantis said he now sees “ a really significant increase in positive tests for people in their 20s and 30s.
” DeSantis specifically pointed to “ incredibly low ” median ages in Tampa Bay and Central Florida .
He said the median age of the 337 Hillsborough County residents who tested positive on Friday was 30 , and in Pinellas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 285 positive cases .
Needless to say , this isn ’ t good news for Florida , DeSantis , or the idea that the COVID-19 virus has mutated out of rapid transmissibility .
The rate of deaths has not increased , as CNBC notes , and the hospitals have not yet been overwhelmed , so it appears that the spike has been managed well .
However , as transmissible as this virus is , this kind of spike might presage a much larger run on health-care resources in the near future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and DeSantis are now admitting that this is not just an artifact of ramped-up testing capability .
South Korea has more bad news on outbreaks .
Despite implementing effective testing regimes on a much tighter timeline and having imposed significant social-distancing measures , officials there are seeing signs of a “ second wave ” around Seoul .
That wave began with holiday celebrations , too : On Monday , the director of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jeong Eun-kyeong said a holiday in early May marked the beginning of a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater Seoul area , Reuters reported .
“ In the metropolitan area , we believe that the first wave was from March to April as well as February to March , ” Jeong said at a news briefing , according to Reuters .
“ Then we see that the second wave which was triggered by the May holiday has been going on.
” Once again , this puts the spotlight on the RNC ’ s plans for a full convention in Jacksonville .
That idea looked good when Florida ’ s case record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , suggesting that the state ’ s lighter touch was sufficient to keep COVID-19 ’ s amplitude down .
Now that cases are beginning to accelerate again , the idea of holding a massive political event in the state seems riskier than it previously did .
How many people will want to travel into a hot spot — and how many people will be happy to welcome them home when they return ?

To put Florida’s recent COVID-19 spike in Seinfeldian terms — it’s real, and they’re hoping to keep it from being spectacular. When diagnosed cases began rising sharply this month, state officials cited the context of greatly increased testing as the reason rather than a second-wave outbreak. This morning, however, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) told CNBC’s Squawk Box that the rate of confirmed diagnoses has outstripped the rate of testing increase, which means … “we have work to do,” Scott said:
“Some might be tied to testing but it’s clearly not all tied to testing,” the Senator said on CNBC’s Squawk Box Monday morning. “We clearly haven’t beat it. I think everybody is concerned when they read about the number of cases being up. The deaths aren’t growing like that, so that’s a positive.” Scott said. When asked if there was a possibility for deaths to catch up to the surge in cases, the Senator demurred. “You sure hope not,” Scott said, adding that “so far” the health care system has handled the surge. “We clearly haven’t beat it. We’ve got to keep focusing … we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Scott said, noting the potential of the disease surging in places that may have thought they’d beaten the coronavirus.
Governor Ron DeSantis also backed down from the “context” argument this weekend, noting that the spread has now accelerated in younger Floridians. DeSantis urged Floridians to take social-distancing guidelines more seriously, but still professed reluctance to dictate those protocols:
Pointing to a “significant” increase in the number of coronavirus cases among younger people, Governor Ron DeSantis reiterated the need for Floridians to practice social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. During a news conference on Saturday, DeSantis attributed the sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the state to residents in their 20s and 30s – who may not be as vulnerable for serious illness but still run the risk of spreading the virus to older residents. … But with the spike of positive cases reported this past week – Florida set a record on Saturday with 4,049 new cases in 24 hours, bringing the total to 93,797 – DeSantis said he now sees “a really significant increase in positive tests for people in their 20s and 30s.” DeSantis specifically pointed to “incredibly low” median ages in Tampa Bay and Central Florida. He said the median age of the 337 Hillsborough County residents who tested positive on Friday was 30, and in Pinellas, the median age was 29 out of the 285 positive cases.
Needless to say, this isn’t good news for Florida, DeSantis, or the idea that the COVID-19 virus has mutated out of rapid transmissibility. The rate of deaths has not increased, as CNBC notes, and the hospitals have not yet been overwhelmed, so it appears that the spike has been managed well. However, as transmissible as this virus is, this kind of spike might presage a much larger run on health-care resources in the near future. And at the very least, Scott and DeSantis are now admitting that this is not just an artifact of ramped-up testing capability.
South Korea has more bad news on outbreaks. Despite implementing effective testing regimes on a much tighter timeline and having imposed significant social-distancing measures, officials there are seeing signs of a “second wave” around Seoul. That wave began with holiday celebrations, too:
On Monday, the director of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jeong Eun-kyeong said a holiday in early May marked the beginning of a “second wave” of cases in the greater Seoul area, Reuters reported. “In the metropolitan area, we believe that the first wave was from March to April as well as February to March,” Jeong said at a news briefing, according to Reuters. “Then we see that the second wave which was triggered by the May holiday has been going on.”
Once again, this puts the spotlight on the RNC’s plans for a full convention in Jacksonville. That idea looked good when Florida’s case record showed remarkably good control a couple of weeks ago, suggesting that the state’s lighter touch was sufficient to keep COVID-19’s amplitude down. Now that cases are beginning to accelerate again, the idea of holding a massive political event in the state seems riskier than it previously did. How many people will want to travel into a hot spot — and how many people will be happy to welcome them home when they return?


hotair--2020-06-22--Another shooting in the CHOP. Where is Seattle's mayor?

This is becoming all too common now .
Inside Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ( CHOP , formerly CHAZ ) , there was another shooting yesterday .
That came on the heels of two shootings on Saturday , one of which left a local man dead .
And who is responding to these attacks ?
For the most part , at least based on the national media coverage , it ’ s the protesters themselves .
( Associated Press ) One person was wounded in what was the second shooting in Seattle ’ s protest zone in less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The shooting happened late Sunday night in the area near Seattle ’ s downtown that is known as CHOP , for “ Capitol Hill Occupied Protest , ” police tweeted , adding that one person was at a hospital with a gunshot wound .
The person arrived in a private vehicle and was in serious condition , Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said in a statement .
To their credit , first responders attempted to answer the call to the scene of the shooting .
But when the Fire Department arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ staging area ” outside the perimeter .
They were then informed that the shooting victim had already been removed from the area and taken to a local hospital in a private car .
Is this the sort of “ service ” that law-abiding residents trapped inside the CHOP zone can come to expect ?
Stop and think about this scenario for a moment .
Someone has a gunshot wound and paramedics are blocked from entering the area .
Instead of being loaded into an ambulance with a trained medical technician providing treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat of somebody ’ s automobile and driven to the hospital .
What if they just bleed out in the back seat ?
The question everyone needs to be asking now is where Mayor Jenny Durkan is and how long she plans to allow this lawlessness and domestic terrorism to continue .
Hugh Hewitt pointed this out succinctly following the latest episodes of violence , but he takes the charges further up the ladder and points the finger at the Governor .
If you want to get past the liberal hero-worship taking place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to the local news .
KOMO News has been following these developments and noted last night that “ city leaders have remained nearly silent ” in the wake of the shootings .
They finally coaxed a pair of statements out of the Mayor ’ s office , but neither should do much to comfort those afflicted by this menace .
Working with Chief Scoggins , Chief Best , and other City departments , the City will continue to make changes on Capitol Hill in partnership with Black-led community organizations , demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted messengers who will center de-escalation .
In the coming days , I believe together we can create a Capitol Hill environment that allows for peaceful demonstrations at Cal Anderson , quality of life for residents , and take concrete steps towards a new vision for policing in our City .
We will continue to focus on the systemic changes demanded by this time in history .
We must hear the voices raised in protest , admit and dismantle the systemic perpetuation of racism , and invest broadly in the health and wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Black community .
If I were writing a parody of what an ultra-liberal mayor might say in the face of a crisis of violence , I couldn ’ t have come up with anything more absurd than that .
She ’ s going to be “ making changes in partnership with Black-led community organizations ?
” Lady !
People are being gunned down in the streets in the Capitol Hill district of your city .
Stores are being robbed .
Women are being sexually assaulted .
And you ’ re fretting over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seized control of parts of the city you took an oath to protect and serve .
KOMO News found a couple of residents who were willing to comment if their identity was protected out of fear of retribution .
They described living like hostages .
Another said that it was time for the Mayor and the City Council to “ step in and enforce our city ’ s laws.
” Part of me feels both sympathies for the residents and outrage that this situation has been allowed to drag on this long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as has long been the case in Baltimore and other troubled urban areas , it ’ s impossible to deny how Seattle got to this point .
The residents keep electing the same liberal loons like Jenny Durkan over and over again , pushing their agenda further and further to the left .
Well , you got what you voted for .
This is what you wanted .
And now you get to live through it .
Maybe… just maybe… some of you should keep that in mind next time you go @ @ @ @

This is becoming all too common now. Inside Seattle’s Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP, formerly CHAZ), there was another shooting yesterday. That came on the heels of two shootings on Saturday, one of which left a local man dead. And who is responding to these attacks? For the most part, at least based on the national media coverage, it’s the protesters themselves. (Associated Press)
One person was wounded in what was the second shooting in Seattle’s protest zone in less than 48 hours, police said. The shooting happened late Sunday night in the area near Seattle’s downtown that is known as CHOP, for “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest,” police tweeted, adding that one person was at a hospital with a gunshot wound. The person arrived in a private vehicle and was in serious condition, Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said in a statement.
To their credit, first responders attempted to answer the call to the scene of the shooting. But when the Fire Department arrived at the CHOP they were directed to a “staging area” outside the perimeter. They were then informed that the shooting victim had already been removed from the area and taken to a local hospital in a private car.
Is this the sort of “service” that law-abiding residents trapped inside the CHOP zone can come to expect? Stop and think about this scenario for a moment. Someone has a gunshot wound and paramedics are blocked from entering the area. Instead of being loaded into an ambulance with a trained medical technician providing treatment, they are dumped in the back seat of somebody’s automobile and driven to the hospital. What if they just bleed out in the back seat?
The question everyone needs to be asking now is where Mayor Jenny Durkan is and how long she plans to allow this lawlessness and domestic terrorism to continue. Hugh Hewitt pointed this out succinctly following the latest episodes of violence, but he takes the charges further up the ladder and points the finger at the Governor.
This account of events in Seattle makes clear that @GovInslee is abandoning citizens who are owed the rule of law: https://t.co/MZNMxc5rBM The trajectory is towards even greater tragedy and it’s on the governor as that is where the police power resides when city forfeits it. — Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) June 20, 2020
If you want to get past the liberal hero-worship taking place at MSNBC and CNN, you need to go to the local news. KOMO News has been following these developments and noted last night that “city leaders have remained nearly silent” in the wake of the shootings. They finally coaxed a pair of statements out of the Mayor’s office, but neither should do much to comfort those afflicted by this menace.
Working with Chief Scoggins, Chief Best, and other City departments, the City will continue to make changes on Capitol Hill in partnership with Black-led community organizations, demonstrators, small businesses, residents, and trusted messengers who will center de-escalation. In the coming days, I believe together we can create a Capitol Hill environment that allows for peaceful demonstrations at Cal Anderson, quality of life for residents, and take concrete steps towards a new vision for policing in our City. We will continue to focus on the systemic changes demanded by this time in history. We must hear the voices raised in protest, admit and dismantle the systemic perpetuation of racism, and invest broadly in the health and wealth of our communities of color, particularly our Black community.
If I were writing a parody of what an ultra-liberal mayor might say in the face of a crisis of violence, I couldn’t have come up with anything more absurd than that. She’s going to be “making changes in partnership with Black-led community organizations?” Lady! People are being gunned down in the streets in the Capitol Hill district of your city. Stores are being robbed. Women are being sexually assaulted. And you’re fretting over “offending” the domestic terrorists that have seized control of parts of the city you took an oath to protect and serve.
KOMO News found a couple of residents who were willing to comment if their identity was protected out of fear of retribution. They described living like hostages. Another said that it was time for the Mayor and the City Council to “step in and enforce our city’s laws.”
Part of me feels both sympathies for the residents and outrage that this situation has been allowed to drag on this long. But at the same time, much as has long been the case in Baltimore and other troubled urban areas, it’s impossible to deny how Seattle got to this point. The residents keep electing the same liberal loons like Jenny Durkan over and over again, pushing their agenda further and further to the left. Well, you got what you voted for. This is what you wanted. And now you get to live through it. Maybe… just maybe… some of you should keep that in mind next time you go to the polls.


hotair--2020-06-22--Hawaii's army of Karens

Hawaii's army of Karens

The state of Hawaii is still under one of the more severe lockdowns because of the novel coronavirus , with strict restrictions on visitors coming to visit the islands .
Anyone flying ( or sailing ) to the Aloha State ’ s golden shores is supposed to remain in self-quarantine for two weeks before they can hit the beaches or otherwise go out and about with the natives .
But taking a look at the beaches on any given day , you get the impression that not everyone is down with the program .
Plenty of people are hitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently without any face masks or social distancing protocols in sight .
So how are the authorities supposed to deal with all of these scofflaws ?
Not to worry .
As the Associated Press reports this weekend , there ’ s a whole crew of people , led by one former local reporter who is currently locked down at home , scouring social media , public webcams and image libraries to identify those violating the quarantine order .
And the type of “ reporting ” going on has nothing to do with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reporting suspected violators to the police and that ’ s translating into arrests .
Former longtime television reporter Angela Keen knows how to track people down .
During the coronavirus pandemic , she ’ s putting her skills to use finding tourists who defy Hawaii ’ s mandatory two-week quarantine on arriving travelers .
When members of her Facebook group spot tourists posting about their beach trips on social media , Keen zeroes in on photos for clues like license plate numbers she can run down and distinctive furnishings she can match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a violator ’ s name , she scours the internet for information , from criminal records to previous addresses .
Keen ’ s social media group goes by the name of the Army of Snitches .
No , wait… ( *checks notes* ) They ’ re called Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers .
Kapu is apparently a Hawaiian word for “ rules.
” And according to their fearless leader , they ’ ve already been responsible for at least 35 arrests on Oahu and the big island alone .
Other members on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more visitors who were then arrested .
Ms .
Keen wants everyone to know that she ’ s fully socially woke .
She makes sure to tell the members of her group not to “ profile people because they look like outsiders.
” Really ?
How precisely does one go about doing that ?
Hawaii ’ s economy basically exists because of tourism , with people flocking there from all over the world .
Further , a significant percentage of the population consists of people who moved there from elsewhere .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resident and who is visiting ?
That ’ s where these Karens get particularly clever .
When Keen finds someone “ suspicious ” looking cropping up in an Instagram photo , she checks to see if any vehicle license plates are visible .
Presumably , if it ’ s a rental , they might be tourists .
If the pictures are from the inside of a hotel room or other potential rental property , she uses image matching software to try to determine if they are staying in temporary quarters and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group sounds as if their activities border on obsession .
In the interview , Keen describes how one dangerous scofflaw nearly got away .
But she and her posse were able to track him to the airport and direct the police to stop him just as he was preparing to leave .
Keen ’ s group has learned some lessons from violators who got away — or nearly did , including a tourist from California whose social media posts showed him on the beach , at the popular volcanic crater Diamond Head and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracked him for 14 days , ” Keen said .
Members didn ’ t call him out on his posts to ensure he wouldn ’ t know they were on to him , and they passed along the information they got to investigators .
When Keen saw him post that he was leaving , she texted an investigator , fearing it would be too late .
Authorities , however , got to Honolulu ’ s airport in minutes , she said .
He was arrested an hour before his flight to Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught a later flight , officials said .
Holy cow .
She spent two weeks of her life tracking this guy ’ s social media accounts , right down to the moment of his planned departure .
One has to wonder how much good it did for the public health situation to watch him for two weeks as he interacted with the public , only stopping when he was on his way out and would no longer risk infecting anyone else .
Look , I get the concern that Hawaii has over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ densely packed into popular tourist resort areas and there ’ s a constant stream of visitors coming and going .
But for vacationers planning to visit the islands , how many of us could afford to arrive and sit in our hotel rooms for two weeks before getting to start any actual vacation activities ?
If that ’ s the case , why not just ban all tourists from coming ?
Or , perhaps more to the point , shouldn ’ t more tourists be voting with their wallets and going elsewhere rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any rate , I suppose we should offer our congratulations to this army of Karens .
They ’ re managing to get tourists arrested while the police are too overwhelmed to find all of the perpetrators .
Perhaps the government is even offering a reward for this sort of help .
Snitches get… riches ?

The state of Hawaii is still under one of the more severe lockdowns because of the novel coronavirus, with strict restrictions on visitors coming to visit the islands. Anyone flying (or sailing) to the Aloha State’s golden shores is supposed to remain in self-quarantine for two weeks before they can hit the beaches or otherwise go out and about with the natives. But taking a look at the beaches on any given day, you get the impression that not everyone is down with the program. Plenty of people are hitting the shops or soaking up the sun, frequently without any face masks or social distancing protocols in sight. So how are the authorities supposed to deal with all of these scofflaws?
Not to worry. As the Associated Press reports this weekend, there’s a whole crew of people, led by one former local reporter who is currently locked down at home, scouring social media, public webcams and image libraries to identify those violating the quarantine order. And the type of “reporting” going on has nothing to do with the local news. This army of Karens is reporting suspected violators to the police and that’s translating into arrests.
Former longtime television reporter Angela Keen knows how to track people down. During the coronavirus pandemic, she’s putting her skills to use finding tourists who defy Hawaii’s mandatory two-week quarantine on arriving travelers. When members of her Facebook group spot tourists posting about their beach trips on social media, Keen zeroes in on photos for clues like license plate numbers she can run down and distinctive furnishings she can match up with vacation rental listings. Armed with a violator’s name, she scours the internet for information, from criminal records to previous addresses.
Keen’s social media group goes by the name of the Army of Snitches. No, wait… (*checks notes*) They’re called Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers. Kapu is apparently a Hawaiian word for “rules.” And according to their fearless leader, they’ve already been responsible for at least 35 arrests on Oahu and the big island alone. Other members on some of the smaller islands have reportedly turned in more visitors who were then arrested.
Ms. Keen wants everyone to know that she’s fully socially woke. She makes sure to tell the members of her group not to “profile people because they look like outsiders.” Really? How precisely does one go about doing that? Hawaii’s economy basically exists because of tourism, with people flocking there from all over the world. Further, a significant percentage of the population consists of people who moved there from elsewhere. How are they supposed to know who is a resident and who is visiting?
That’s where these Karens get particularly clever. When Keen finds someone “suspicious” looking cropping up in an Instagram photo, she checks to see if any vehicle license plates are visible. Presumably, if it’s a rental, they might be tourists. If the pictures are from the inside of a hotel room or other potential rental property, she uses image matching software to try to determine if they are staying in temporary quarters and where the police can find them.
The group sounds as if their activities border on obsession. In the interview, Keen describes how one dangerous scofflaw nearly got away. But she and her posse were able to track him to the airport and direct the police to stop him just as he was preparing to leave.
Keen’s group has learned some lessons from violators who got away — or nearly did, including a tourist from California whose social media posts showed him on the beach, at the popular volcanic crater Diamond Head and riding a city bus. “I tracked him for 14 days,” Keen said. Members didn’t call him out on his posts to ensure he wouldn’t know they were on to him, and they passed along the information they got to investigators. When Keen saw him post that he was leaving, she texted an investigator, fearing it would be too late. Authorities, however, got to Honolulu’s airport in minutes, she said. He was arrested an hour before his flight to Los Angeles. He posted $2,000 bail and caught a later flight, officials said.
Holy cow. She spent two weeks of her life tracking this guy’s social media accounts, right down to the moment of his planned departure. One has to wonder how much good it did for the public health situation to watch him for two weeks as he interacted with the public, only stopping when he was on his way out and would no longer risk infecting anyone else.
Look, I get the concern that Hawaii has over the virus. The people there are rather densely packed into popular tourist resort areas and there’s a constant stream of visitors coming and going. But for vacationers planning to visit the islands, how many of us could afford to arrive and sit in our hotel rooms for two weeks before getting to start any actual vacation activities? If that’s the case, why not just ban all tourists from coming? Or, perhaps more to the point, shouldn’t more tourists be voting with their wallets and going elsewhere rather than submitting to these restrictions?
At any rate, I suppose we should offer our congratulations to this army of Karens. They’re managing to get tourists arrested while the police are too overwhelmed to find all of the perpetrators. Perhaps the government is even offering a reward for this sort of help. Snitches get… riches?


hotair--2020-06-23--Project Veritas: Facebook moderation aims to "get the Cheetoh out of office"

What lesson can we draw from the latest Project Veritas peek into Facebook ’ s content moderators ?
Perhaps the oldest lesson of all — power corrupts , and absolute power corrupts absolutely .
Will anyone truly feel surprised to hear these bureaucratic functionaries chortling with glee over their control over other people ’ s political speech and the imposition of their own agendas over that of Facebook users ?
“ We are essentially in charge of what gets said and what gets stifled , ” former moderator Zach McElroy tells James O ’ Keefe , and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : In one example , McElroy captured as a screenshot , President Donald Trump posted on Facebook about Republican successes , including electing a GOP governor of Mississippi .
In the screenshot , Trump ’ s account is labeled “ Verified and Shielded , ” but a seemingly innocuous comment on the post : “ Cleaning up the house ” with heart emojis is flagged in the Single Review Tool for adjudication .
One of the content moderators was asked if she deleted every Republican item that came up on her queue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t give no f*cks , I ’ ll delete it.
” … Another content moderator , Lara Kontakos , was asked what she did when she saw a posts supporting the president : “ If someone is wearing a MAGA hat , I am going to delete them for terrorism.
” Then , Kontakos looked around at her colleagues : “ I think we are all doing that.
” Steve Grimmett , a content review lead , said it was Facebook ’ s culture to target the president and his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive company , who ’ s very anti-MAGA.
” Is it culture , or is it policy ?
Mark Zuckerberg has denied having any policy that aims at political speech , and has actually been more resistant than other social-media corporate leaders to get aggressive on viewpoints .
However , one or more of these undercover conversations indicate that Zuckerberg is saying one thing to Congress and in public , but putting a very different policy in place internally at Facebook .
McElroy ’ s on-the-record statements conflict with Zuckerberg ’ s claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take note of it : “ Zach McElroy ’ s story raises serious doubts about the Capitol Hill testimony of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg , who gave lawmakers the impression that his company only takes content that could cause harm , such as relating to terrorism or hate speech , but never for politics , ” said James O ’ Keefe , Project Veritas ’ founding CEO .
“ Facebook and other social media platforms are protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , because they claim that unlike traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they are like the phone company just stringing wires on poles , ” said O ’ Keefe .
“ Facebook ’ s $ 400 billion market capitalization is tied to this protection and our report shows for the first time anywhere Facebook ’ s robust and human-directed process for restricting the marketplace of ideas , which calls into question their CDA 230 immunity , ” he said .
I ’ m not crazy about going after Section 230 , which does a lot more than protect Facebook .
If people want an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as comments sections on websites , curtailing Section 230 is exactly what will create that outcome .
It might be better to take a look at Facebook ’ s empire in light of anti-trust legislation , along with Google and other Internet giants , and force them to spin off previous acquisitions .
Too much expressive power on the Internet has come under the control of too few hands , and it has created a space in which no meaningful competition can arise to challenge these editorial policies .
Hopefully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of the cameras and show him this tape .
They could also call McElroy to rebut whatever denials Zuckerberg offers , as well as subpoena the content moderators seen in this video to demand some answers on whether Zuckerberg knowingly lied to Congress about the nature of that moderation .
That would make for a good start toward accountability .

What lesson can we draw from the latest Project Veritas peek into Facebook’s content moderators? Perhaps the oldest lesson of all — power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Will anyone truly feel surprised to hear these bureaucratic functionaries chortling with glee over their control over other people’s political speech and the imposition of their own agendas over that of Facebook users?
“We are essentially in charge of what gets said and what gets stifled,” former moderator Zach McElroy tells James O’Keefe, and it’s very clear that they all know it:
In one example, McElroy captured as a screenshot, President Donald Trump posted on Facebook about Republican successes, including electing a GOP governor of Mississippi. In the screenshot, Trump’s account is labeled “Verified and Shielded,” but a seemingly innocuous comment on the post: “Cleaning up the house” with heart emojis is flagged in the Single Review Tool for adjudication. One of the content moderators was asked if she deleted every Republican item that came up on her queue, she said: “Yes! I don’t give no f*cks, I’ll delete it.” … Another content moderator, Lara Kontakos, was asked what she did when she saw a posts supporting the president: “If someone is wearing a MAGA hat, I am going to delete them for terrorism.” Then, Kontakos looked around at her colleagues: “I think we are
all doing that.” Steve Grimmett, a content review lead, said it was Facebook’s culture to target the president and his supporters. “It’s a very progressive company, who’s very anti-MAGA.”
Is it culture, or is it policy? Mark Zuckerberg has denied having any policy that aims at political speech, and has actually been more resistant than other social-media corporate leaders to get aggressive on viewpoints. However, one or more of these undercover conversations indicate that Zuckerberg is saying one thing to Congress and in public, but putting a very different policy in place internally at Facebook.
McElroy’s on-the-record statements conflict with Zuckerberg’s claims enough that O’Keefe wants Congress to take note of it:
“Zach McElroy’s story raises serious doubts about the Capitol Hill testimony of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who gave lawmakers the impression that his company only takes content that could cause harm, such as relating to terrorism or hate speech, but never for politics,” said James O’Keefe, Project Veritas’ founding CEO. “Facebook and other social media platforms are protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, because they claim that unlike traditional publishers that do not actively edit content—they say they are like the phone company just stringing wires on poles,” said O’Keefe. “Facebook’s $400 billion market capitalization is tied to this protection and our report shows for the first time anywhere Facebook’s robust and human-directed process for restricting the marketplace of ideas, which calls into question their CDA 230 immunity,” he said.
I’m not crazy about going after Section 230, which does a lot more than protect Facebook. If people want an end to social media of any kind as well as comments sections on websites, curtailing Section 230 is exactly what will create that outcome. It might be better to take a look at Facebook’s empire in light of anti-trust legislation, along with Google and other Internet giants, and force them to spin off previous acquisitions. Too much expressive power on the Internet has come under the control of too few hands, and it has created a space in which no meaningful competition can arise to challenge these editorial policies.
Hopefully, a Senate committee will drag Zuckerberg back in front of the cameras and show him this tape. They could also call McElroy to rebut whatever denials Zuckerberg offers, as well as subpoena the content moderators seen in this video to demand some answers on whether Zuckerberg knowingly lied to Congress about the nature of that moderation. That would make for a good start toward accountability.


hotair--2020-06-23--"I don't kid": Trump defends rally comments about slowing down coronavirus testing

He ’ s getting a bit of bad rap on social media for what he said here .
Let ’ s start at the beginning , though , on Saturday night in Tulsa when he said this : “ Slow the testing down , please ” ?
Is that why testing in the U.S. was so woefully scant early on in the pandemic ?
The president deliberately sabotaged it for political reasons ?
Kayleigh McEnany was asked about it at yesterday ’ s briefing and said , nah , he was just joking .
Then Trump himself was asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaggle .
Is it true that you were just kidding , Mr. President ?
To which he replied : “ I don ’ t kid.
” So … he did sabotage testing ?
Watch below .
The “ I don ’ t kid ” line aside , it sounds here like he ’ s saying that more testing is good on the merits in that it helps us find “ hidden ” infections but bad politically in the sense that rising case counts can be held against him .
He ’ s made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least he sounds reasonably appreciative of the virtues of testing here : “ By having more cases , it sounds bad .
But , actually , what it is is we ’ re finding people.
” Fauci and others vouched for him during his House testimony this morning : Trump cited Fauci in his own defense on testing earlier this morning , in fact : Trump is also correct in the clip when he says that the U.S. leads the world in total testing .
That ’ s been true for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 29 million tests conducted here compared to 17 million by second-place Russia .
( China ’ s numbers are a black box , as always . )
America has also made great strides relative to the rest of the world in tests per capita .
We ’ re 16th in that category among nations with populations of one million people or greater .
Among those with populations of 10 million or greater , we ’ re sixth .
Italy , Germany , and France , among other nations , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States does .
Where Trump goes wrong in his answer is when he implies that greater testing accounts for the rising case counts across the country .
Essentially he ’ s encouraging people to focus on the positivity rate , i.e .
the number of confirmed cases divided by the number of tests , as a better metric of whether the epidemic is actually growing or shrinking .
And that ’ s true : Because wider testing will uncover more infections , a rise in cases doesn ’ t necessarily mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It could simply mean that the number of cases is steady but we ’ re finding more of them because we ’ re testing more aggressively .
But that ’ s not what ’ s happening right now .
The number of cases really is growing and the positivity rate shows it : The rate nationally was 4.4 percent a few weeks ago and has inched upwards to 5.4 percent now .
There are huge regional differences , of course .
In New York State , the rate has declined to just 1.0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s , uh… Texas ’ s positivity rate has doubled since late May .
Florida ’ s rate dipped to 2.3 percent in late May but has soared to 12.2 percent now .
The trigger in new hot spots appears to have been a combination of more economic activity after reopening plus people stupidly throwing caution to the wind on Memorial Day weekend , which is around the time that the rate began rising in all of these states .
Another tell : Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are at record levels in Arizona and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicting that Houston could soon look like Brazil if it doesn ’ t change the trajectory of the wave it ’ s experiencing .
There ’ s no “ positivity rate ” dynamic with hospitalizations or deaths , needless to say .
If those are going up , almost by definition the total number of infections in a jurisdiction is rising as well .
And then there ’ s this : This model of transmission rates claims that there are now more states where the epidemic is growing than where it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would prefer to believe that the rising case counts are purely functions of more testing , as that would keep the country laser-focused on his goal of reopening everywhere and reviving the economy in time for Election Day , but if even the governor of Texas is warning about new lockdowns , it just ain ’ t so .
These are real outbreaks .
Whether we need to start closing businesses again to contain them remains to be seen .
I ’ ll leave you with this .
Team Biden knows a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @

He’s getting a bit of bad rap on social media for what he said here. Let’s start at the beginning, though, on Saturday night in Tulsa when he said this:
Trump: When you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find more people. You’re going to find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down please. pic.twitter.com/RalPJeVH0F — Acyn (@Acyn) June 21, 2020
“Slow the testing down, please”? Is that why testing in the U.S. was so woefully scant early on in the pandemic? The president deliberately sabotaged it for political reasons?
Kayleigh McEnany was asked about it at yesterday’s briefing and said, nah, he was just joking. Then Trump himself was asked about it this morning at an impromptu press gaggle. Is it true that you were just kidding, Mr. President? To which he replied: “I don’t kid.”
So … he did sabotage testing? Watch below. The “I don’t kid” line aside, it sounds here like he’s saying that more testing is good on the merits in that it helps us find “hidden” infections but bad politically in the sense that rising case counts can be held against him. He’s made that last point numerous times, but at least he sounds reasonably appreciative of the virtues of testing here: “By having more cases, it sounds bad. But, actually, what it is is we’re finding people.”
Reporter: "When you said you asked your people to slow down testing, were you just kidding, or do you have a plan to slow down testing?" President Trump: "I don't kid" https://t.co/pzC3GhMo8n pic.twitter.com/IenZWA6U2r — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 23, 2020
Fauci and others vouched for him during his House testimony this morning:
Rep Pallone directly asks all 4 witnesses if the President ever directed to slow down testing Dr Fauci, Hahn, Admiral Giroir & Redfield all testify no — Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) June 23, 2020
Trump cited Fauci in his own defense on testing earlier this morning, in fact:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1275438930276409344
Trump is also correct in the clip when he says that the U.S. leads the world in total testing. That’s been true for a long time and it remains true, with more than 29 million tests conducted here compared to 17 million by second-place Russia. (China’s numbers are a black box, as always.) America has also made great strides relative to the rest of the world in tests per capita. We’re 16th in that category among nations with populations of one million people or greater. Among those with populations of 10 million or greater, we’re sixth. Italy, Germany, and France, among other nations, all do less testing per capita than the United States does.
Where Trump goes wrong in his answer is when he implies that greater testing accounts for the rising case counts across the country. Essentially he’s encouraging people to focus on the positivity rate, i.e. the number of confirmed cases divided by the number of tests, as a better metric of whether the epidemic is actually growing or shrinking. And that’s true: Because wider testing will uncover more infections, a rise in cases doesn’t necessarily mean that there are more cases out there. It could simply mean that the number of cases is steady but we’re finding more of them because we’re testing more aggressively.
But that’s not what’s happening right now. The number of cases really is growing and the positivity rate shows it:
The rate nationally was 4.4 percent a few weeks ago and has inched upwards to 5.4 percent now. There are huge regional differences, of course. In New York State, the rate has declined to just 1.0 percent. In Arizona, it’s, uh…
Texas’s positivity rate has doubled since late May. Florida’s rate dipped to 2.3 percent in late May but has soared to 12.2 percent now. The trigger in new hot spots appears to have been a combination of more economic activity after reopening plus people stupidly throwing caution to the wind on Memorial Day weekend, which is around the time that the rate began rising in all of these states.
Another tell: Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are at record levels in Arizona and Texas, with one doctor at Baylor predicting that Houston could soon look like Brazil if it doesn’t change the trajectory of the wave it’s experiencing. There’s no “positivity rate” dynamic with hospitalizations or deaths, needless to say. If those are going up, almost by definition the total number of infections in a jurisdiction is rising as well.
And then there’s this:
Testing in US and EU is roughly equivalent. Here is the difference in cases: pic.twitter.com/OqHym986p5 — ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) June 23, 2020
This model of transmission rates claims that there are now more states where the epidemic is growing than where it’s shrinking. I realize that the president would prefer to believe that the rising case counts are purely functions of more testing, as that would keep the country laser-focused on his goal of reopening everywhere and reviving the economy in time for Election Day, but if even the governor of Texas is warning about new lockdowns, it just ain’t so. These are real outbreaks. Whether we need to start closing businesses again to contain them remains to be seen.
I’ll leave you with this. Team Biden knows a good self-sabotaging soundbite when they hear one:


hotair--2020-06-23--NY Times: The only way to defund the NYPD is to reduce the number of officers and staff

With “ Defund Police ” becoming one of the main slogans of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country , many progressive news outlets rushed to explain that the slogan didn ’ t mean what it sounded like .
In fact , defunding the police really just meant cutting their budget so the money can be spent on other priorities .
But a NY Times ’ review of the city ’ s spending on the NYPD , the nation ’ s largest police force , shows that the police operating budget is a fairly small portion of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
In addition , nearly all of that money goes to salaries for officers and other personnel .
Therefore the only way to cut the budget by any significant amount is to reduce the number of officers .
In its 2019 fiscal year , the Police Department spent nearly $ 6 billion , which amounted to about 6 percent of the city ’ s $ 95 billion total spending .
Nearly 90 percent of the department ’ s spending went toward paying personnel , including salaries , overtime and other benefits like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 15,000 civilian positions .
The average base pay for officers was nearly $ 69,000 , but with overtime and additional pay , they could take home more than $ 90,000 .
For some higher ranks , total pay reached more than $ 200,000… If a proposal is approved that cuts the department ’ s budget substantially , then regardless of where such cuts appear , they will almost certainly require significantly reducing the number of officers and staff on payroll .
The Times looks at three different proposals to make cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group called Communities United for Police Reform which would cut more than a billion dollars from the $ 5.6 billion budget .
You can read the full proposal here but the NY Times offers this summary of their plan : This would cut thousands of officers immediately and gradually reduce the force by thousands more through the hiring freeze .
Also , forcing the NYPD to deduct more than $ 250 million in settlements from their budget would force the remove of thousands more officers .
Particularly hard hit in this proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plan recommends cutting 500 MTA officers .
It states , “ We do not need more police in the trains , we need improved train service and affordable public transit.
” So what happens when the homeless turn the trains into their private homes or robbers go through the trains stealing from people ?
Is having no police on hand going to improve train service ?
As for removing all officers from schools , the reasoning offered in the proposal is that these officers make students feel bad : “ Walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a jail or prison , and , yet , that ’ s what many young people feel when they go through metal detectors , are being hand-wanded , or when they encounter school safety agents in their halls.
” So if we get rid of the officers and the metal detectors , what happens when students bring guns or knives to school ?
Or worse , what happens when a school shooter shows up at a NY school ?
I suspect many New Yorkers won ’ t be thrilled to learn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when shots are being fired inside their child ’ s school .
A professor of criminal justice sums up these proposals : Maria Haberfeld , a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who studies law enforcement , said that the current proposals for New York do not have enough expert input .
In her view , fewer officers would result in slower response times to violent crime , while not addressing underlying issues .
“ These proposals are utopian at best , if I want to be positive about it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative , are just ridiculous , ” she said .
Defund police is a dumb slogan and proposals to cut police forces by a significant percentage seem like a terrible idea .
I don ’ t live in New York City so it ’ s not my decision .
Also , if it goes terribly wrong , none of the consequences will impact me .
So if New York residents want to run this real-world experiment , they should do it .
Let ’ s see if this new far-left reform proposal results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

With “Defund Police” becoming one of the main slogans of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country, many progressive news outlets rushed to explain that the slogan didn’t mean what it sounded like. In fact, defunding the police really just meant cutting their budget so the money can be spent on other priorities.
But a NY Times’ review of the city’s spending on the NYPD, the nation’s largest police force, shows that the police operating budget is a fairly small portion of the city’s overall budget, just 6 percent. In addition, nearly all of that money goes to salaries for officers and other personnel. Therefore the only way to cut the budget by any significant amount is to reduce the number of officers.
In its 2019 fiscal year, the Police Department spent nearly $6 billion, which amounted to about 6 percent of the city’s $95 billion total spending. Nearly 90 percent of the department’s spending went toward paying personnel, including salaries, overtime and other benefits like shift differentials for more than 36,000 uniformed and 15,000 civilian positions. The average base pay for officers was nearly $69,000, but with overtime and additional pay, they could take home more than $90,000. For some higher ranks, total pay reached more than $200,000… If a proposal is approved that cuts the department’s budget substantially, then regardless of where such cuts appear, they will almost certainly require significantly reducing the number of officers and staff on payroll.
The Times looks at three different proposals to make cuts to the NYPD, including one proposed by a group called Communities United for Police Reform which would cut more than a billion dollars from the $5.6 billion budget. You can read the full proposal here but the NY Times offers this summary of their plan:
$397 million – Cut overtime, public relations and surveillance technology use, and cap uniformed officers to budgeted amount. $287 million – Fire abusive officers, cut modified duty and deduct settlement payouts from the operating budget as a punitive measure. $263 million – Freeze new hires, cancel new cadet classes and cancel cadet training program. $219 million – Reduce uniformed officers by about 5 percent, to 2014 levels. $96 million – Remove officers from schools, transit systems, homeless outreach and mental health response programs.
This would cut thousands of officers immediately and gradually reduce the force by thousands more through the hiring freeze. Also, forcing the NYPD to deduct more than $250 million in settlements from their budget would force the remove of thousands more officers.
Particularly hard hit in this proposal would be New York’s subways. The plan recommends cutting 500 MTA officers. It states, “We do not need more police in the trains, we need improved train service and affordable public transit.” So what happens when the homeless turn the trains into their private homes or robbers go through the trains stealing from people? Is having no police on hand going to improve train service?
As for removing all officers from schools, the reasoning offered in the proposal is that these officers make students feel bad: “Walking into school should not feel like walking into a jail or prison, and, yet, that’s what many young people feel when they go through metal detectors, are being hand-wanded, or when they encounter school safety agents in their halls.” So if we get rid of the officers and the metal detectors, what happens when students bring guns or knives to school? Or worse, what happens when a school shooter shows up at a NY school? I suspect many New Yorkers won’t be thrilled to learn the money has been redirected to social workers when shots are being fired inside their child’s school. A professor of criminal justice sums up these proposals:
Maria Haberfeld, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who studies law enforcement, said that the current proposals for New York do not have enough expert input. In her view, fewer officers would result in slower response times to violent crime, while not addressing underlying issues. “These proposals are utopian at best, if I want to be positive about it, and if I want to be more negative, are just ridiculous,” she said.
Defund police is a dumb slogan and proposals to cut police forces by a significant percentage seem like a terrible idea. I don’t live in New York City so it’s not my decision. Also, if it goes terribly wrong, none of the consequences will impact me. So if New York residents want to run this real-world experiment, they should do it. Let’s see if this new far-left reform proposal results in a better city and less crime.