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Searching for Answers in the Ashes
Author: BobR
Date: 04/29/2015 13:12:10
If there's anything the news networks love, it's a good riot. Well - some riots (sports fans trashing a city after a game get a "tsk-tsk" and shoulder shrug). But for the last several days, it's been non-stop 24/7 coverage of the meltdown in Baltimore. There have been a lot of questions asked and assumptions made by the talking heads on the news outlets, but they never seem to ask the right questions, nor make astute assumptions. Everything is dumbed down, as if it could all be summed up in a simple sound bite.
But it's not a simple situation.
Freddie Gray died while in police custody due to a severe spinal injury. That much is known. That alone should be enough to raise the ire of a community, and it did. The news, however, didn't seem too interested in covering that. People marching and protesting? Meh... After Ferguson, it was going to take a bit more than that to get some attention. Baltimore delivered.
The news media jumped right in, and thus began the circus we have now.
The right-wing media - as expected - is scraping the barrel, looking for the mold and rot. As they always do, they've attempted to demonize the victim by releasing his rap sheet. They ask: "Are they really protesting for this guy?
If you think this is all over one guy - you're not paying attention.
The problems in that part of Baltimore are legion and decades in the making. An article in today's WaPo does an excellent job of breaking it down:
“Honestly, I need a job,” Bowmen said. “At the end of the day, most of the youths need a job. We just need help.”
This is where it has come to, where the leader of a local gang is meeting with local officials and complaining that there are no jobs available. This has to be alien and incomprehensible to the white middle class who scratch their heads and wonder why they are burning down their own neighborhood. These are people with literally nothing. As Bob Dylan wrote: "when you ain't got nothing, you've got nothing to lose". These aren't "welfare queens" - they want jobs, and education, a neighborhood that feels safe, and a police force that protects them - not kills them. You know - what most majority-white communities have.
The riots in Baltimore aren't the problem - they're the symptom. It's time to fix the problems here and elsewhere so that a large swath of our fellow citizens and human beings don't have to resort to such extreme measures.
But it's not a simple situation.
Freddie Gray died while in police custody due to a severe spinal injury. That much is known. That alone should be enough to raise the ire of a community, and it did. The news, however, didn't seem too interested in covering that. People marching and protesting? Meh... After Ferguson, it was going to take a bit more than that to get some attention. Baltimore delivered.
The news media jumped right in, and thus began the circus we have now.
The right-wing media - as expected - is scraping the barrel, looking for the mold and rot. As they always do, they've attempted to demonize the victim by releasing his rap sheet. They ask: "Are they really protesting for this guy?
If you think this is all over one guy - you're not paying attention.
The problems in that part of Baltimore are legion and decades in the making. An article in today's WaPo does an excellent job of breaking it down:
The immediate trigger was the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died of a traumatic spinal injury he suffered while in police custody. But in a startlingly segregated city struggling with failing schools, failing infrastructure, a failing economy and a police department under federal investigation, it seemed only a matter of time before this side of Baltimore boiled over.
“All we have left, all many of us have left, is our dignity,” said Robert Stokes, 36, as he stood with a broom and dustpan at Pennsylvania and North avenues, hours after people smashed windows, looted stores and set trash cans on fire. “And when that’s stripped away, what do we have left? What do we have left except for rebellion? You look around and see unemployment. Filling out job applications and being turned down because of where you live and your demographic. It’s so much bigger than the police department. This place is a powder keg waiting to explode.”
[..]
Steven Bowmen, leader of a local gang, said at a meeting with local officials on Tuesday that much of the rage behind the rioting is rooted in hopelessness.
“Honestly, I need a job,” Bowmen said. “At the end of the day, most of the youths need a job. We just need help.”
This is where it has come to, where the leader of a local gang is meeting with local officials and complaining that there are no jobs available. This has to be alien and incomprehensible to the white middle class who scratch their heads and wonder why they are burning down their own neighborhood. These are people with literally nothing. As Bob Dylan wrote: "when you ain't got nothing, you've got nothing to lose". These aren't "welfare queens" - they want jobs, and education, a neighborhood that feels safe, and a police force that protects them - not kills them. You know - what most majority-white communities have.
The riots in Baltimore aren't the problem - they're the symptom. It's time to fix the problems here and elsewhere so that a large swath of our fellow citizens and human beings don't have to resort to such extreme measures.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 04/29/2015 13:24:05
Raine on 04/29/2015 13:24:05
Excellent post today, Bobber.
Anyone who doesn't see that this is a symptoms is really in denial.
good morning!
Anyone who doesn't see that this is a symptoms is really in denial.
good morning!
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 13:30:37
Raine on 04/29/2015 13:30:37
Sounds like Momma might be making an annoucment after the break.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 13:38:11
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 13:38:11
Morning all. Would you mind throwing some blog mojo the way of my friends Jerry and Michele. Jerry is on the cusp of losing a long battle with cancer. 
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 13:51:21
I am so sorry.
Raine on 04/29/2015 13:51:21
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning all. Would you mind throwing some blog mojo the way of my friends Jerry and Michele. Jerry is on the cusp of losing a long battle with cancer.
I am so sorry.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/29/2015 13:52:45
wickedpam on 04/29/2015 13:52:45
Morning 
Comment by wickedpam on 04/29/2015 13:56:57
I'm sorry Mondo
~~~~ positive vibes his way ~~~~~
wickedpam on 04/29/2015 13:56:57
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning all. Would you mind throwing some blog mojo the way of my friends Jerry and Michele. Jerry is on the cusp of losing a long battle with cancer.
I'm sorry Mondo
~~~~ positive vibes his way
~~~~~
Comment by 
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 14:45:19
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 14:45:19
Mornin' all! 
{{{{{{{{{{{{ Jerry this is for you! }}}}}}}}}}}}
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning all. Would you mind throwing some blog mojo the way of my friends Jerry and Michele. Jerry is on the cusp of losing a long battle with cancer.
{{{{{{{{{{{{ Jerry this is for you! }}}}}}}}}}}}
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 04/29/2015 14:46:33
So sorry, Mondo. Sending what vibes I can their (and your) way.
trojanrabbit on 04/29/2015 14:46:33
Quote by Mondobubba:
Morning all. Would you mind throwing some blog mojo the way of my friends Jerry and Michele. Jerry is on the cusp of losing a long battle with cancer.
So sorry, Mondo. Sending what vibes I can their (and your) way.
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/29/2015 15:07:47
TriSec on 04/29/2015 15:07:47
Damn you, big C!
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 15:30:34
Raine on 04/29/2015 15:30:34
Well that was really uncomfortable. MAla did you hear that?
Comment by wickedpam on 04/29/2015 15:48:32
Carlos yelling at the caller - yes.
wickedpam on 04/29/2015 15:48:32
Quote by Raine:
Well that was really uncomfortable. MAla did you hear that?
Carlos yelling at the caller - yes.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/29/2015 16:20:28
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 16:20:28
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 16:35:38
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 16:35:38
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2015 16:57:52
TriSec on 04/29/2015 16:57:52
I expect today's Orioles game to rate very high on the surreal-o-meter.
What's up with the Nats?
What's up with the Nats?
Comment by 
BobR on 04/29/2015 17:24:09
They got so excited about their deep pitching staff that they forgot they need to hit and field the ball too
BobR on 04/29/2015 17:24:09
Quote by TriSec:
I expect today's Orioles game to rate very high on the surreal-o-meter.
What's up with the Nats?
They got so excited about their deep pitching staff that they forgot they need to hit and field the ball too
Comment by BobR on 04/29/2015 17:28:03
These are idiots that can't see beyond their own back yards to realize there is a huge country out there.
BobR on 04/29/2015 17:28:03
Quote by Mondobubba:
Really Texas? Really? Were you worrying about this during Jade Helm 1-14?
These are idiots that can't see beyond their own back yards to realize there is a huge country out there.
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2015 17:55:40
Ah, reverse Red Sox, eh?
TriSec on 04/29/2015 17:55:40
Quote by BobR:
They got so excited about their deep pitching staff that they forgot they need to hit and field the ball too
Ah, reverse Red Sox, eh?
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/29/2015 18:16:17
And the Mets have a deep pitching roster and have actually managed to win games this season.
You have to love how the O's will play in Tampa but still considered the "home" team this weekend. It looks like Angeleno's going to take a big hit on these lost games, but at least if you read what he says, he doesn't care as much and will take the hit. On DIrecTV, MLB EI you can choose between the MASN feed or the White Sox telecast on WPWR (My50) which is produced by WGN even though My50 is part of a Fox duopoly.
livingonli on 04/29/2015 18:16:17
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
I expect today's Orioles game to rate very high on the surreal-o-meter.
What's up with the Nats?
They got so excited about their deep pitching staff that they forgot they need to hit and field the ball too
And the Mets have a deep pitching roster and have actually managed to win games this season.
You have to love how the O's will play in Tampa but still considered the "home" team this weekend. It looks like Angeleno's going to take a big hit on these lost games, but at least if you read what he says, he doesn't care as much and will take the hit. On DIrecTV, MLB EI you can choose between the MASN feed or the White Sox telecast on WPWR (My50) which is produced by WGN even though My50 is part of a Fox duopoly.
Comment by livingonli on 04/29/2015 18:18:40
I think the Governor listens to too much Alex Jones.
livingonli on 04/29/2015 18:18:40
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
Really Texas? Really? Were you worrying about this during Jade Helm 1-14?
These are idiots that can't see beyond their own back yards to realize there is a huge country out there.
I think the Governor listens to too much Alex Jones.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 18:25:06
Raine on 04/29/2015 18:25:06
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 18:55:57
When I was doing modifications, all.day.every.day. "Make it pop." "You're the designer, do what you think looks best."
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 18:55:57
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, I think you have heard all of these.
When I was doing modifications, all.day.every.day. "Make it pop." "You're the designer, do what you think looks best."
Comment by wickedpam on 04/29/2015 19:24:04
my fave thing to hear is "make it simpler" to white text on a wine cork background
wickedpam on 04/29/2015 19:24:04
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, I think you have heard all of these.
When I was doing modifications, all.day.every.day. "Make it pop." "You're the designer, do what you think looks best."
my fave thing to hear is "make it simpler" to white text on a wine cork background
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 19:32:19
Yes, I do not miss that stuff!!!
Raine on 04/29/2015 19:32:19
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, I think you have heard all of these.
When I was doing modifications, all.day.every.day. "Make it pop." "You're the designer, do what you think looks best."
my fave thing to hear is "make it simpler" to white text on a wine cork background
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 19:56:06
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 19:56:06
Comment by Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:02:52
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:02:52
Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:07:05
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:07:05
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:09:58
You mean the Victory? I mean the LAPD owned it, so Dudley Liam Smith and the Mobster Squad could work over out of town gangsters over and the put them on a train out of LA.
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:09:58
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
You mean the Victory? I mean the LAPD owned it, so Dudley Liam Smith and the Mobster Squad could work over out of town gangsters over and the put them on a train out of LA.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:10:26
That's really messed up.
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:10:26
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:13:09
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:13:09
Quote by Raine:That's really messed up.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:16:14
I know, I should have made it POP. 
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:16:14
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:That's really messed up.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:16:48
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:16:48
Sorry, Scoop. I went full Ellroy fan-boy there.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:17:06
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:17:06
so the stupidest game in baseball history is over.
What they did today in Baltimore was utterly stupid.
What they did today in Baltimore was utterly stupid.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:19:05
Nah man it's totally fine! I'm a Vincennes guy myself, but hey he's dead.
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:19:05
Quote by Mondobubba:
Sorry, Scoop. I went full Ellroy fan-boy there.
Nah man it's totally fine! I'm a Vincennes guy myself, but hey he's dead.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:19:53
I dunno, if you make POP it won't be as warm and inviting or CLEAN AND MODERN.
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:19:53
Quote by Raine:I know, I should have made it POP.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:That's really messed up.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
I dunno, if you make POP it won't be as warm and inviting or CLEAN AND MODERN.
Comment by TriSec on 04/29/2015 20:21:21
On the plus side, pace-of-play wasn't an issue. What was that, 2 hours straight up?
TriSec on 04/29/2015 20:21:21
Quote by Raine:
so the stupidest game in baseball history is over.
What they did today in Baltimore was utterly stupid.
On the plus side, pace-of-play wasn't an issue. What was that, 2 hours straight up?
Comment by Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:21:59
Have you seen some of these new boutique-modern mashup hotels these days? They don't just make it pop, they BLOW DAT SHIT RIGHT UP!
Scoopster on 04/29/2015 20:21:59
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I know, I should have made it POP.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:That's really messed up.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
Have you seen some of these new boutique-modern mashup hotels these days? They don't just make it pop, they BLOW DAT SHIT RIGHT UP!
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:22:26
:huffs inhaler of repartee +3: Yeah Vincennes was the shit. But they way Dud masterfully manipulates White into a rage of jealousy when Lamar spills the beans about Lynn and Exley was brilliant.
Mondobubba on 04/29/2015 20:22:26
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Sorry, Scoop. I went full Ellroy fan-boy there.
:huffs inhaler of repartee +3: Yeah Vincennes was the shit. But they way Dud masterfully manipulates White into a rage of jealousy when Lamar spills the beans about Lynn and Exley was brilliant.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:47:23
That's a good point, now that you mention it. They should have let the fans in. That irritated the hell outta me.
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:47:23
Quote by TriSec:Quote by Raine:
so the stupidest game in baseball history is over.
What they did today in Baltimore was utterly stupid.
On the plus side, pace-of-play wasn't an issue. What was that, 2 hours straight up?
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:48:01
they do, indeed.
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:48:01
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I know, I should have made it POP.Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:That's really messed up.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
Scoop, what the hell is up with the Motel 6 in Warwick?
You know the little rinky dink motel in L.A. Confidential? Welp, this is it, with a twist.
Okay maybe that's oversimplifying it a bit. The motel had a child prostitution ring and a meth lab running at the same time. I suspect the franchise owner was easily talked into monitoring guest traffic by the popos.
That is artfully understanded, Raine.
Have you seen some of these new boutique-modern mashup hotels these days? They don't just make it pop, they BLOW DAT SHIT RIGHT UP!
they do, indeed.
Comment by Raine on 04/29/2015 20:56:03
Raine on 04/29/2015 20:56:03