tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post1958016243060197164..comments2024-03-20T12:34:55.100-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Once More, With FeelingJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-58502586949766505222015-05-08T17:59:47.077-05:002015-05-08T17:59:47.077-05:00As usual an eloquent and well thought out response...As usual an eloquent and well thought out response, one of the main things I like about you Jim is you never shoot from the hip. I wish our politicians and pundits would step back count to ten (a thousand would probably be better), and give us something as considered as you normally manage. Enough ego stroking, Stay Free!<br /><br /> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuYzsrYSQx4Long Ben Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12382408372788942193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-88236736613739409882015-05-08T17:51:35.297-05:002015-05-08T17:51:35.297-05:00"You know what the answers are, we all do, ev..."You know what the answers are, we all do, even those of us currently determined not to admit it.<br /><br />Oh we certainly do: equality, justice, liberty, humanity, compassion, education, investment, opportunity, access, community, shared history, shared dreams, shared purpose, belonging, pride, acceptance, self worth, respect."<br /> Asked and answered, read the text of a post before you make a foo; of yourself "Anonymous"Long Ben Averyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12382408372788942193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-1071972642235577422015-05-07T00:37:20.197-05:002015-05-07T00:37:20.197-05:00Maybe, just maybe, as a parent, she lost her mind ...Maybe, just maybe, as a parent, she lost her mind when she saw her BABY in the midst of a dangerous situation. Kid goes near the stove, smack on the hand and a "NO!". Kid runs Into traffic, smack on the rear, and A FIRM NO! Just because you are a parent, doesn't mean you never lose your mind. Maybe, just maybe that is the FIRST time, she has struck him, and hopefully the last. Sometimes we all need to be brought up short and reigned in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-86617495681249221812015-05-05T23:50:30.479-05:002015-05-05T23:50:30.479-05:00When Native Alaskans start rioting in the streets....When Native Alaskans start rioting in the streets. Oh wait, that will never happen. Why is that? Miss Carnivoroushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00946466041548077150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-66029502170168241082015-05-04T21:33:24.055-05:002015-05-04T21:33:24.055-05:00What do you propose we do?What do you propose we do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-32722386408704546922015-05-04T14:42:45.190-05:002015-05-04T14:42:45.190-05:00All me feel is sadness and frustration.That city w...All me feel is sadness and frustration.That city was me home a long time ago. To see it torn apart is great sadness. It didn't have to happen;that's what frustrates me. This problem has existed for sooooo long.. many decades in fact I grew up inBaltimore before they "gentrified" the harbor,back in the time Baltimore and Light streets were NOT a place to be after dark. Same problem then now. Greed, racism,arrogance.Btw, just so ya know.I learned about prejudice in Baltimore..I am old enough to remember "white only" drinking fountains. Jim is right, as long as we do nothing about the root causes of this anger..another city will burn..and another and another.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04744304071008502919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42858391402409161342015-05-04T10:30:00.607-05:002015-05-04T10:30:00.607-05:00It is a historical certainty: when the wealthy of...It is a historical certainty: when the wealthy of a society begin to take too much, leave too many others trying to scratch out an existence fighting over crumbs, those left behind will violently rise up and hang the wealthy from the street poles. This happens 100% of the time in the history of human civilization. It might take awhile, but the masses will eventually heave out a collective "Fuck off!" and start smashing the place. And the wealthy always think it won't happen to them. It will be different this time. This time their walls and security apparatus will keep them safe. It never does. <br /><br />The Arab Spring should be a lesson to the ruling elites worldwide. That can happen anywhere, and once the masses violently decide that they're done with their government, that government is finished. Once people revoke their consent to be governed, they rarely give it back. The only question is how much blood will be spilled before power is wrenched away. <br /><br />As always, Chief, thank you for another great essay. You say it better than anyone.Wolffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-76297696317051201092015-05-04T00:46:13.780-05:002015-05-04T00:46:13.780-05:00I think my biggest question after reading this is...I think my biggest question after reading this is what do I "know" what I have to do. Equality and justice are too broad. What specifically needs to be done to help all low income neighborhoods, not just predominantly African American. I think the biggest issue is there is no direction on what to do. And I'd the answer is just more welfare, how long will it last. I don't mind helping out people who either got a bad draw in life or are just on hard times, but no civilization was built on handouts. I do agree there is a problem that needs to be fixed though, I just don't think it is clearly defined. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-42493937973597871492015-05-01T18:53:00.527-05:002015-05-01T18:53:00.527-05:00Thank you, Jim. A must read for all but, I'm ...Thank you, Jim. A must read for all but, I'm afraid few will.jinnymaerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15717582958177279754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-45250886883108308252015-05-01T18:52:18.869-05:002015-05-01T18:52:18.869-05:00Thank you. Very well said.Thank you. Very well said.jinnymaerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15717582958177279754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-65448534085872968132015-05-01T16:08:29.030-05:002015-05-01T16:08:29.030-05:00Seems like an echo "something something "... Seems like an echo "something something "forget history" something something "repeat it".<br /><br />French Revolution, anyone? When women couldn't feed their children they were the first to start throwing cobblestones, and then they sat at the foot of Mdme. Guillotine (sp?) to make sure justice was done.WA Skepticnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-36968506376718701062015-05-01T10:44:43.290-05:002015-05-01T10:44:43.290-05:00Jay, you write: "..we are too stubborn and ha...Jay, you write: "..we are too stubborn and hateful as a people to find a middle ground and solution."<br /><br />But isn't part of that stubbornness grounded in the same inability you display to understand what the "other" side is experiencing? You filter the emotions—the fear, the anger, the sense of indignity and injustice—through your own experience and, incapable of grasping it, write it off as invalid. <br /><br />That's a huge part of most social problems in which two "sides" evolve: the assumption that if I can't understand what the other person is feeling, thinking, saying, it must be invalid or— as you say—stupid.<br /><br />And therein lies the anger, Jay. The protestors have, for decades, had people tell them that they are stupid and wrong and that their concerns aren't real, aren't valid, and don't matter. That attitude only perpetuates the problem.<br /><br />Try to imagine yourself in that position with regard to something you care deeply about, then really look for the middle ground. Without empathy, I guarantee you will never find it. Maya Kaathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03782124659607145756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-72983997476758252592015-05-01T09:33:07.974-05:002015-05-01T09:33:07.974-05:00Jay,
I don't think you get it. It appears you...Jay,<br /><br />I don't think you get it. It appears you are seeing Baltimore as some kind of anomaly – anger over a single man, a single incident. But police brutality, systemic poverty, and purposeful ghettoization have been going on for decades - longer even. These riots are the built up rage of a people systematically denied their place in this country.<br /><br />Your boast: “Were I a cop, I'd take off the kid gloves too at this point.” Really, the cops have been using kid gloves? You could have fooled me. We’re they using kid gloves when two Cleveland cops murdered a 12 year old, and then LIED about it. Was Michael Slager using kid gloves when he used Walter Scott for target practice, and then planted evidence on the dead body? Kid gloves, indeed.<br /><br />Jay, you are very much a part of the problem. Try using empathy for a change and put yourself in their place. <br /><br />Peace<br />Chris in S. Jersey<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-59436734214688830592015-05-01T09:25:17.849-05:002015-05-01T09:25:17.849-05:00We HAVE to fix it. The only other option is open r...We HAVE to fix it. The only other option is open revolution. Keep in mind it is the black oppressed neighborhoods now, but they will also come for the rest of us before the end. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-10733215949133951292015-05-01T08:13:57.290-05:002015-05-01T08:13:57.290-05:00Bill - Perhaps you meant to say "Just because...Bill - Perhaps you meant to say "Just because I have more stuff than other people doesn't mean that I'm superior to them." Or perhaps you meant it to come out just as it did. And please - equating dealing with poverty to dealing with a "retarded" child (your word, not mine). Wow. Just - wow ...... That being said, somewhere deep down I think you meant well.<br /><br />JZinFLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-75712203894796772322015-05-01T03:50:25.646-05:002015-05-01T03:50:25.646-05:00Nothing to add but applause.
Oh except I did exp...Nothing to add but applause. <br /><br />Oh except I did expect and want to hear your thoughts on this Jim Wright although I knew you'd get around to it and didn't email to ask or anything.<br /><br />I am not disappointed because you have - as always - delivered spot on, 100% and summed it up so perfectly. Thankyou. Yes, you are my god indeed! Well kinda anyhow. Ramen! ;-) <br /><br />PS. Those who blame the rioters might just want to ask how many the rioters have actually killed versus how many dubious deaths of black skinned men at the hands of the cops there's been. Also how little response those deaths and the clear injustices and lack of attention those too many, too needless, too awful black individuals deaths have drawn up until their folks have y'know, broken in well justified fury and pain and started to burn shit down.StevoRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02506855815096149912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-19408709872492942952015-04-30T22:01:27.879-05:002015-04-30T22:01:27.879-05:00"My guess is that's not the first time sh..."My guess is that's not the first time she's hit her kid, and what good did it do up to that point? If hitting a kid is the solution, why was he up to all kinds of foolishment to begin with?"<br /><br />Exactly, 9:05. We can't look past the violence involved just because we applaud the effort of being a responsible parent. It is an underlying component of the bigger problem.<br /><br />bdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64542507896233424642015-04-30T21:57:00.605-05:002015-04-30T21:57:00.605-05:00Perhaps you should also read another article at th...Perhaps you should also read another article at that same web site. It appears that police officers in Maryland don't have the same Bill of Rights as the rest of us. They have a *special* Bill of Rights that <a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/04/27/blue-shield?ref=tsfb" rel="nofollow">gives them more rights than the rest of us</a>, which makes it basically impossible to investigate or discipline police officers in the state of Maryland. This also explains why Prince George's County is notorious for police brutality too (that's the county notorious for doing a no-knock raid on a local mayor and shooting his dog, which resulted in a big lawsuit but not a single officer disciplined) -- the state basically has overruled any kind of discipline for police officers in Maryland.<br />BadTuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01345749557330760251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-81077951018538499782015-04-30T21:16:20.022-05:002015-04-30T21:16:20.022-05:00By David Simon's (The Wire) account: "The...By David Simon's (<i>The Wire</i>) <a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/04/29/david-simon-on-baltimore-s-anguish" rel="nofollow">account</a>: "The drug war began it, certainly, but the stake through the heart of police procedure in Baltimore was [mayor] Martin O’Malley." He wanted to proclaim a miracle in crime reduction and he corrupted the police to do it.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/04/29/david-simon-on-baltimore-s-anguish" rel="nofollow">Go read it</a>.<br /><br />This not another instance of a national problem, this is local, and it can be solved locally, if the will can be found.Raven Onthillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06634556869209594389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77647633272926740052015-04-30T20:23:26.300-05:002015-04-30T20:23:26.300-05:00The clip I enjoyed most was the young Baltimore ma...The clip I enjoyed most was the young Baltimore man who was trying to engage Geraldo Rivera in a conversation which Rivera was meekly avoiding. The young man asked why the press didn't cover the peace marches from a couple weeks ago and why they don't cover the poverty and the education system and the lack of opportunities for many low-income people in Baltimore. He then asked why the media only shows up when the riots start. All perfectly valid questions which that fine Faux journalist ignored. A perfect example of why this will keep happening over and over. The media is long past affecting any kind of positive change; its descent into irrelevance and celebutainment has gone too far to be corrected. The important things continue to be pushed off the front page in favor of sensationalist garbage and vapid soundbites. The priorities of this country have shifted, much to the detriment of its citizens. That young man made an important point that will be ignored because, like Geraldo, all eyes will be averted and the pretending can go on uninterrupted. Until the next time.<br /><br />Pam in PA (less than an hour from beautiful, historic Baltimore)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-23147058311227125242015-04-30T20:05:16.387-05:002015-04-30T20:05:16.387-05:00I have to disagree with you on this one Jim. I th...I have to disagree with you on this one Jim. I think it boils down to a whole lot of stupid. I don't think it has anything to do with poverty or helplessness. I think people enjoy being assholes at times. <br /><br />I sincerely doubt the protestors and especially the looters really *care* about the deceased in question. Oh...I think they're bothered by it, worried, concerned for their own children, but not "mad as hell" to burn down their own city.<br /><br />Peaceful large scale protests should have been taking place every day since Treyvon Martin, if not earlier. Knee-jerk protests after the next guy gets killed are meaningless and are largely forgettable when rioting happens.<br /><br />A suspect dies in police custody so we rail against *all* police, to the point where chunks of rocks are being thrown at them and fire fighters?!? Were I a cop, I'd take off the kid gloves too at this point. Both sides are convinced they are right and we are too stubborn and hateful as a people to find a middle ground and solution.<br /><br />I suspect many aren't even looking for that. They're just too dumb not to get caught up in the drama.Jayhttp://loraxlog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-85086983314226490062015-04-30T20:00:45.643-05:002015-04-30T20:00:45.643-05:00You've said it the way it should be said. Than...You've said it the way it should be said. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11565566356408534156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-54099065298837622042015-04-30T19:54:54.464-05:002015-04-30T19:54:54.464-05:00The media covered the riot, not the protest. One w...The media covered the riot, not the protest. One who was there said it was all good; chanting, music, food and dancing. No rage, no attacks. As evening fell the police started firing tear gas to get them off the streets, and that's when the shit hit the fan. As he said, "If you want to see who started a riot, look for the guys who came dressed for a riot."<br /><br />I was reading about the West Virginia mine wars, "Mother" Jones, and the machine gun attacks on workers and their families. It's sad to think how few people even remember the events that kicked the labor movement into high gear. And here we are, fighting again for human rights against a corrupt system. Nothing new. <br /><br />I just wonder how many of our fearless leaders know anything about history. Nancy Alborellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09670097162853715770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-25903056075773110822015-04-30T18:30:29.236-05:002015-04-30T18:30:29.236-05:00Thank you. My feelings exactly. And I third that...Thank you. My feelings exactly. And I third that AmenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-57546488610871197282015-04-30T15:34:02.250-05:002015-04-30T15:34:02.250-05:00Thank you, Jim Wright, for digging down to the sub...Thank you, Jim Wright, for digging down to the substrate of why Baltimore.<br /><br />Yes. Civilization is hard.<br /><br />Injustice, intolerance, rage, prejudice, and all their mangy offspring—like the specters beneath the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present (Ignorance and Want)—are EASY. They are the fallback, safe, cozy, effortless reactions to things we do not know first hand and have no desire to understand.<br /><br />It's like a kid that won't clean up her room. Laziness keeps her from picking up the first pair of socks to hit the floor shy of the laundry basket or taking that plate back to the kitchen, but once the situation goes on long enough, the mess becomes overwhelming and laziness is replaced by sheer deer-in-the-headlights paralysis. The problem has become (seemingly) too big to solve.<br />To that I say, horse hockey. Time to dig in and clean up our mess. If we want to live in a world that's joyful, peaceful, unified and where we can each realize our potential, we need to pick up after ourselves from the very next dirty sock. <br /><br />It's like I tell my daughter—if you want to be treated like an adult, act like one.Maya Kaathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03782124659607145756noreply@blogger.com