Minneapolis Lunacy: A Recipe for Disaster

 

This morning my blood ran cold when I heard the latest recommendation from the Minneapolis City Council: disband the police department. Sundance at the Conservative Tree House explains the background for this action:

The term ‘community policing’ has been used for several years by groups advocating for radical changes to law enforcement; however, behind the innocuous phrase is really a much more serious agenda.

If each community can determine the enforcement of law, then essentially all communities can eliminate the underlying law itself. Remove local enforcement of law and the local community can independently assemble a social structure separate from all other binding contracts that frame a larger societal compact.

This is not the community-oriented policing that Rudy Giuliani instituted in New York. These actions, instead, would be the perfect recipe for lawlessness and chaos.

Spearheading this action is Jeremiah Ellison, the son of Minnesota Attorney Keith Ellison, a Muslim activist and far Left advocate:

Jeremiah Ellison, the son of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a representative of the city’s Ward 5, explicitly led calls to ‘dramatically rethink’ how the city keeps its people safe.

‘We are going to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department,’ he tweeted. “And when we’re done, we’re not simply gonna glue it back together. We are going to dramatically rethink how we approach public safety and emergency response. It’s really past due.’

Lisa Bender, president of the city council, sent out this warning:

On Wednesday she posted a thread about how a ‘white person’ should think about dismantling the police.

‘If you are a comfortable white person asking to dismantle the police I invite you to reflect: are you willing to stick with it? Will you be calling in three months to ask about garage break-ins? Are you willing to dismantle white supremacy in all systems, including a new system?’ she said. ‘I mean this quite sincerely & seriously: just look at recent conversations about City-funded neighborhood organizations to understand how explicitly we would have to work to establish alternative systems that do not replicate the same problems. White ppl need to show up for this.’

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Ms. Bender is telling the white people in Minneapolis that if the deprived black people attack the homes of the white community or commit any other offenses, get over it. Pay back is tough.

The city council is due to vote on this issue today.

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  1. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    What’ll you bet that what he thinks is “past due” is Sharia law.

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    What’ll you bet that what he thinks is “past due” is Sharia law.

    At this point, I suspect that anything and everything is on the table, @douglaspratt.

    • #2
  3. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    It may be a sign that the lunacy of our times has entered the Hoyacon household, but I almost would like see this happen.   There would be unfortunate consequences, but, every so often, I’m tempted by the prospect of progressives being confronted with the fallout from their wacky ideas.

    • #3
  4. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    It may be a sign that the lunacy of our times has entered the Hoyacon household, but I almost would like see this happen. There would be unfortunate consequences, but, every so often, I’m tempted by the prospect of progressives being confronted with the fallout from their wacky ideas.

    There are signs that LA is also looking at this step, although not so drastically. I’m tempted to agree with you, but I’m worried about other cities doing the same, @hoyacon.

    • #4
  5. Ralphie Inactive
    Ralphie
    @Ralphie

    Basically it’s  the Curley effect.  Detroit did that. Withdraw services from the groups you want to push out, and then you are left with empty feral areas. It sounds as though segregation is back.

    • #5
  6. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Do any of these folks recognize that one logical consequence of the proposal is the armed citizenry that they fervently oppose?  

    • #6
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Ralphie (View Comment):

    Basically it’s the Curley effect. Detroit did that. Withdraw services from the groups you want to push out, and then you are left with empty feral areas. It sounds as though segregation is back.

    What’s terrible is that those “feral areas” won’t be self-contained–they will be everywhere if this passes.

    • #7
  8. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Do any of these folks recognize that one logical consequence of the proposal is the armed citizenry that they fervently oppose?

    OMG–I’m sure they don’t. Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution and take our guns. Right?

    • #8
  9. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Do any of these folks recognize that one logical consequence of the proposal is the armed citizenry that they fervently oppose?

    OMG–I’m sure they don’t. Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution and take our guns. Right?

    No police and no private ownership of weapons.  What could possibly go wrong?

    • #9
  10. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    Douglas Pratt (View Comment):

    What’ll you bet that what he thinks is “past due” is Sharia law.

    Isn’t that what most people describe as gangs?

    • #10
  11. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    And I thought Robocop was just a movie.

    • #11
  12. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution

    Now, how is this done if the Constitution guarantees every ‘State’ a republican form of government? Exactly what powers do municipal governments have that distinguishes that local government from individual local residents and where do they get that power?

    • #12
  13. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    I think that the proposed plan is great. They should implement it – the sooner the better. 

    • #13
  14. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution

    Now, how is this done if the Constitution guarantees every ‘State’ a republican form of government? Exactly what powers do municipal governments have that distinguishes that local government from individual local residents and where do they get that power?

    They don’t care, @bobthompson. They just know what they want to do and what they need to do and the rest of it isn’t important. Forget, a government of, by and for the people. It’s their government to do with as they wish.

    • #14
  15. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Hoyacon (View Comment): It may be a sign that the lunacy of our times has entered the Hoyacon household, but I almost would like see this happen. There would be unfortunate consequences, but, every so often, I’m tempted by the prospect of progressives being confronted with the fallout from their wacky ideas.

    I want to see the elected government of Minneapolis do exactly what the citizens of Minneapolis want them to do. (No almost about it.) Ditto for LA (and any others). The results, both near and far term, from these little laboratories of democracy will provide critical feedback to the rest of the nation.  Cities are born, cities die (sometimes by their own hand). The ugly consequences will play out as they should. (Note: No bailouts with federal dollars.)

     

    • #15
  16. J Climacus Member
    J Climacus
    @JClimacus

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):

    Basically it’s the Curley effect. Detroit did that. Withdraw services from the groups you want to push out, and then you are left with empty feral areas. It sounds as though segregation is back.

    What’s terrible is that those “feral areas” won’t be self-contained–they will be everywhere if this passes.

    When the dysfunction starts spreading into the enclaves of elite white liberals, we will see an instantaneous shift in attitude and narrative. I’m not making a hypocrisy point – although that is there – but a prediction. 

    • #16
  17. Housebroken Coolidge
    Housebroken
    @Chuckles

    If you’re a police officer in Minneapolis – avoid the rush: quit, and move out now.

    I will say that it is not now, and never has been, possible for a community of humans to live without a police force.  It may be called something else, it may be organized in some particular fashion, it may consist of a vigilante committee, it may just be armed citizens looking out for one another.  The laws or rules or guidelines they enforce may be civil laws voted on by the community, or arbitrary rules pronounced by some kingpin, or just their own personal expectations of how neighbors are to live together. It may be anarchy or communism or something in between, but there will always be rules there will always be violators and there will always be those that make the violator pay. 

    Interestingly enough, while writing this comment I got a phone call.  A group of us will be meeting together to determine how best to respond to the evident societal deterioriation, with the primary concern being how do men best provide for, and protect, their families when things boil over.

    • #17
  18. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    philo (View Comment):
    I want to see the elected government of Minneapolis do exactly what the citizens of Minneapolis want them to do. (No almost about it.) Ditto for LA (and any others). The results, both near and far term, from these little laboratories of democracy will provide critical feedback to the rest of the nation. Cities are born, cities die (sometimes by their own hand). The ugly consequences will play out as they should. (Note: No bailouts with federal dollars.)

    In spite of the source of the disasters that will ensue, it will still be blamed on the Right. Let’s hope that the truth will be hard to ignore. Thanks, @philo.

    • #18
  19. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Housebroken (View Comment):
    Interestingly enough, while writing this comment I got a phone call. A group of us will be meeting together to determine how best to respond to the evident societal deterioriation, with the primary concern being how do men best provide for, and protect, their families when things boil over.

    This would make a great post, @chuckles. I would love to learn what was discussed.

    BTW, they may not have something called a police force, but there will be rules and enforcement–and we probably won’t much like it (understatement).

    • #19
  20. philo Member
    philo
    @philo

    Housebroken (View Comment): If you’re a police officer in Minneapolis – avoid the rush: quit, and move out now.

    The beginning of the avalanche…

    • If you are a homeowner in Minneapolis – avoid the collapse of the housing market: sell now, and move out now.
    • If you are a business owner in Minneapolis – avoid the collapse of the local economy: sell now, and move out now. (If the business or franchise is still closed due to lockdown requirements, do no bother wasting any capital in re-opening, it will be wasted money.)
    • If you have suppliers in Minneapolis – avoid the disruption in services/inventory: move your business elsewhere now.

    The list can go on…

    • #20
  21. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    Why should we be worried? We’ve seen in the last week how things are in a neighborhood without police – it’ll all be swell!  Until they run out of buildings to burn and TVs to steal, it should all go swimmingly.

    • #21
  22. Housebroken Coolidge
    Housebroken
    @Chuckles

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Housebroken (View Comment):
    Interestingly enough, while writing this comment I got a phone call. A group of us will be meeting together to determine how best to respond to the evident societal deterioriation, with the primary concern being how do men best provide for, and protect, their families when things boil over.

    This would make a great post, @chuckles. I would love to learn what was discussed.

    This will be the first meeting, I’ll definitely be the oldest, most of the rest have children at home – from 4 weeks old to 15 years old. I think they asked me because, you know, if nothing else us old farts do have experience. If there’s anything to report, I’ll let you know.

    BTW, they may not have something called a police force, but their will be rules and enforcement–and we probably won’t much like it (understatement).

    There will be a police force, that was central to my comment: I’m sitting here trying to imagine some likely names for it. Pansy patrol, marshmallow brigade, neighborhood protection authority, Democrat Field Operatives, whatever. Will we like how they do things? Probably not.  Cops are trained and experienced and under oversight.  These new fellows, not so much.

    • #22
  23. Housebroken Coolidge
    Housebroken
    @Chuckles

    The Scarecrow (View Comment):

    Why should we be worried? We’ve seen in the last week how things are in a neighborhood without police – it’ll all be swell! Until they run out of buildings to burn and TVs to steal, it should all go swimmingly.

    Have you met Alfred E. Newman?  He’s here on Ricochet, I’ve seen his face!

    • #23
  24. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution

    Now, how is this done if the Constitution guarantees every ‘State’ a republican form of government? Exactly what powers do municipal governments have that distinguishes that local government from individual local residents and where do they get that power?

    They don’t care, @bobthompson. They just know what they want to do and what they need to do and the rest of it isn’t important. Forget, a government of, by and for the people. It’s their government to do with as they wish.

    Yes, I get that. So as we discuss this we are assuming that the State of Minnesota is aligned with the direction chosen by the City of Minneapolis? Are we assuming that the federal government is aligning with that posture as well?

    • #24
  25. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    Or the next vote is to reject the Constitution

    Now, how is this done if the Constitution guarantees every ‘State’ a republican form of government? Exactly what powers do municipal governments have that distinguishes that local government from individual local residents and where do they get that power?

    They don’t care, @bobthompson. They just know what they want to do and what they need to do and the rest of it isn’t important. Forget, a government of, by and for the people. It’s their government to do with as they wish.

    Yes, I get that. So as we discuss this we are assuming that the State of Minnesota is aligned with the direction chosen by the City of Minneapolis? Are we assuming that the federal government is aligning with that posture as well?

    The governor is not happy about the extreme nature of their proposal, but at this moment I don’t know if he’s going to do anything. I don’t think he has the authority to counteract this kind of decision. I doubt Trump will like it, but I don’t know if he can do anything either. Sigh.

    • #25
  26. Russ Schnitzer Member
    Russ Schnitzer
    @RussSchnitzer

    How about disbanding the Minneapolis City Council?  Are there no recall provisions?

    On the other hand, if the City Council reflects the will of the electorate, then sane residents should  consider leaving Minneapolis.  

    Is it possible that insanity is a contagious disease?

     

     

     

    • #26
  27. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    I don’t think he has the authority to counteract this kind of decision.

    There is certainly the power and authority at the State level even if there may be a question whether the governor can act directly. If the locals get too insane the State can dissolve their city charter or however they are organized.

    • #27
  28. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    From the nature of some of the comments about leaving that city, I take it that most here are judging this to be a local problem, at least in its extremes.

    • #28
  29. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    Let me move on from the fact that the Minneapolis Police Department needs some serious reform. Every country has police officers. Even Switzerland has police officers.

    The actions of one MPD officer is horrific. Watching the looting, assaults, and arson in the aftermath of that action is just as horrific. The vast majority of Americans have never been involved in a truly violent incident. There are no rules when you are involved in a violent incident. It is not an Olympic sport. I’ve been in involved in wrestling matches, and in out and out fights. I came close to having to pull the trigger three or four times.

    If you want Kabul, Baghdad, and Syria good luck to you, you will need it. There are predators out there, and when they run out of things to steal, or someone to rape in their neighborhoods they will seek out new hunting grounds. Rape, pillage, and burn is not always conducted in that order.

    • #29
  30. Limestone Cowboy Coolidge
    Limestone Cowboy
    @LimestoneCowboy

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    It may be a sign that the lunacy of our times has entered the Hoyacon household, but I almost would like see this happen. There would be unfortunate consequences, but, every so often, I’m tempted by the prospect of progressives being confronted with the fallout from their wacky ideas.

    There are signs that LA is also looking at this step, although not so drastically. I’m tempted to agree with you, but I’m worried about other cities doing the same, @hoyacon.

    I very reluctantly agree with both of you. Let them run this grand social experiment in just one city for just six months and see what happens. But no state aid to cover the cost of crime, and good luck on obtaining fire, theft or auto insurance. Or mortgages and business loans. Or pizza delivery for that matter.

    And we’d better be prepared for an outflow of refugees.

     

    • #30
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