I see there is a drift towards the predictable pattern of impulsively deciding what the "best choice" for a new chief is and then using that to sort out allies and enemies. This is the fundamental stupidity of our political process, but many have learned it all too well and read the script without even taking time to think. Well, I hope the process breaks this mold. I think police leadership is just too important to be thrust into such a straitjacket.
Enforcing Laws
Nothing much I can say except to repeat what I think is obvious. You can say city police have a legal "duty" to enforce all laws. But the reality is that the laws that are enforced (regardless of neighborhood) are few and far between. We could vastly reduce the weight of our statute books by simply deleting unenforced laws. And making stentorian statements about what is required by LAW of the police won't get us any closer to enforcement. There are a lot of reasons for this. The drug war fixation is the foremost. The ancient war against the cost of government is another. In fact, one way politicians have learned to gut regulatory law is simply to cut enforcement budgets. I don't doubt Pawlenty-Sviggum consider this a "benefit" of their deficit politics. We can rage and rage. But until we sort out what we want enough to pay for it, we're stuck. And due to drug war politics, there won't be much BEYOND the endless insane pursuit of drug offenses that will get serious attention. And I guess the worm turns on that doesn't it. Some of the most ardent advocates of stamping out drugs now see it coming back to bite them.
City Center
Oh, good, another chance to find drug dealing that can't be missed. I cruised Franklin and was much disappointed that I missed all the "obvious" drug dealing going. Now I hear that there's a vast industry within walking distance of City Hall, in places that the city governors must actually VISIT while at work. This time, I can't miss it. I'll have to find the fabled dealers that swarm in this city. (Or do I need special glasses like at the 3-D movies?)
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Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
No bonds for colonial wars. Say "no pay no play" and spare the grandkids from a life of poverty.
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