Muzzles Not Masks

Now, that was a week. We try to put it all in some perspective — the protests, the riots, the looting, and the politics and we do so with the help of our guests, Andrew C. McCarthy and Victor Davis Hanson. And yes, the Lileks Post of The Week is back to blow the lid off knitting clubs. And, Rob outs himself as a super hero, Peter deals with civil unrest induced anxiety by reading biographies, and James, well, we’re not sure what James does.

Music from this week’s show: The Dream Police by David Byrne

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There are 105 comments.

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  1. Eustace C. Scrubb Member
    Eustace C. Scrubb
    @EustaceCScrubb

    Did any elected official get it right? The mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, was better than most (with the support of Killer Mike.)

    • #1
  2. ericB Lincoln
    ericB
    @ericB

    Eustace C. Scrubb (View Comment):

    Did any elected official get it right? The mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, was better than most (with the support of Killer Mike.)

    In a time when leaders across the land seem incapable of leading against lawlessness, I’m all in favor of encouragement toward any exceptions.  Yet, after a quick search, I did see this.

    The Atlanta protest started peacefully earlier than it descended into chaos when some demonstrators hurled bricks, bottles and milk cartons at police cruisers.

    Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms slammed their actions at a press convention Friday, saying: ‘If you care about this metropolis then go house.’

    Excerpt from:
    Donald Trump appears to gloat about riot at CNN’s Atlanta HQ as he retweets supporter’s post
    By Jackson Delong -May 30, 2020

    That article has plenty of pictures of burning police cars and vandalized buildings.  What I would like to know is to what extent she (or any other mayors) acted forcefully to stop the looting and vandalizing (distinct from legal peaceful protest).

    Or, did they mostly…

    …step “into national spotlight with passionate plea to protesters”?

    “Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms stepped into the national spotlight on Friday night, denouncing vandalism in her city as “chaos” after demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, …”

    “Bottoms was joined at the news conference …, as she mixed empathy with anger and pleaded with protesters to “go home.””

    “… she is trying to strike the right balance between recognizing the movement that is happening while also trying to maintain law and order in her city amid the unrest.

    “This has been a really tough balance because I feel helpless. I feel angry. I feel frustrated,” the mayor explained.”

    Excerpts from
    Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms steps into national spotlight with passionate plea to protesters

    I’m not encouraged when a mayor feels “helpless” and finds there is something “really tough” about “trying to strike the right balance between” lawful peaceful protest and putting down lawless actions.

    Enforce the law, including protecting lawful assembly and speech.  Prosecute illegal actions.  Why is this distinction “really tough”?

    • #2
  3. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    “You’re right, but…”

    Echoing that sentiment from James, I’ve been listening to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and now of course am a certified expert on all things historical. Not to compare modern circumstances to Weimar Germany, but…

    The rise of the Nazis can be summed up in a sentence: Few people took evil seriously.

    Few believed the Nazis could achieve power, even after decades of impressive gains both politically and socially. Hitler was arrested for insurrection but was sentenced to just 5 years of the usual life imprisonment. They were tolerated, excused, and negotiated with time and again. Nazis’ evil was written and spoken in public for easy consideration from the beginning.

    Villains promised to destroy or silence their opponents, to seize wealth and corporations, to fundamentally transform society… and were not believed. Or else they were dismissed as a mere frustration, even upon gaining millions of votes, because it was assumed life would continue basically as before.

    As someone who did not live during the 1960s, I am concerned.

    Seeing many cities burn with assistance from organized groups, with cover from press and politicians who speak in revolutionary terms in favor of seizing wealth and power, in an election year while Democrats have disputed the validity of the past two elections of Republican presidents, while the Left’s domination of education, entertainment, and corporate leadership have millions of citizens repeating nonsense and angrily cursing their conservative neighbors as privileged bigots who owe the proletariat reparations, while the President is popularly portrayed as a brutal dictator ready to pounce, during an unprecedented simultaneous disruption of the entire world, under extraordinary public restrictions and widespread fears — there does indeed seem to be real danger of revolution in the old French Revolution sense of wild destruction.

    • #3
  4. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    If your looking for more interesting things to watch,

    Land of Confusion the Ricochet show for members by the members is here.  This week we talk to Boss Mongo about all sorts of things, including the riots.  As an ex special forces officer he had lots to say.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • #4
  5. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):
    “You’re right, but…”

    That would also seem to “suggest” that people who just can’t bring themselves to vote for Trump in November if only to keep Biden out of the White House, might be part of the problem.

    • #5
  6. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    And just how did we get a second, unannounced, Member Post Of The Week?

    • #6
  7. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    kedavis (View Comment):

    And just how did we get a second, unannounced, Member Post Of The Week?

    He’s not just a member, he created the company.

    • #7
  8. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Also, the volume level on this one is rather low.

    For those who have problems especially listening in their car etc, here is my boosted-by-12-dB version:

    https://www.adrive.com/public/4pkkWf/499.%20Muzzles%20Not%20Masks%20BOOSTED.mp3

    • #8
  9. Stephen Richter Member
    Stephen Richter
    @StephenRichter

    not sure if I should be concerned about Trump’s mental health or seriously questioning his capacity to lead and put in place policies which stop the looting and violence.   Either way, Trump is MIA and very disappointing that the Ricochet team is unwilling to state this obvious fact.

    The podcast guys and guests are great and on point in showing how ridiculous is the statements of Mattis and other generals. But where are republican politicians in condemning them?  Trump is increasingly on his own and does not appear to know what to do. Why will the republican media types not address this?

     

    • #9
  10. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Ricochet Audio Network: Music from this week’s show: The Dream Police by David Byrne

    I think the Cheap Trick version would have been more appropriate.

    • #10
  11. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):

    not sure if I should be concerned about Trump’s mental health or seriously questioning his capacity to lead and put in place policies which stop the looting and violence. Either way, Trump is MIA and very disappointing that the Ricochet team is unwilling to state this obvious fact.

    The podcast guys and guests are great and on point in showing how ridiculous is the statements of Mattis and other generals. But where are republican politicians in condemning them? Trump is increasingly on his own and does not appear to know what to do. Why will the republican media types not address this?

    This sounds like a replay of “Bush didn’t care about Katrina.”  When Bush – and now Trump – allows the locals to work as they’re supposed to and how Federalism actually requires, he’s called uncaring, priveleged, etc.  And when Bush – and if now Trump – actually does anything from a federal level, he’s called Hitler.

    • #11
  12. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    VDH has more common sense than all the pundits in this country. Thank God for him, and thank you for having him on. By the way, as a cradle Episcopalian, may I say that bishop in Washington D.C. had absolutely no business speaking for all the Episcopalians in this country. Trump had every right to stand on those steps with a Bible in his hand as the symbol of right and wrong rang true with every fair-minded Christian in our land. Furthermore, for that phony Sharpton to  say it was wrong is absolutely laughable. If there ever was a man who used religion for political purposes, it’s Al Sharpton.

    • #12
  13. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):
    Trump is MIA

    I don’t expect that Trump would abuse his power while sending troops to quell riots. But I’m happy to see a President hesitate in expectation that mayors and governors step up to police their cities. He should wait (at first, anyway) for local officials to request federal police assistance.

    A President swears to defend the US Constitution against enemies “foreign and domestic”, but I’d prefer local civilians start enforcing basic protections to seeing national officers immediately jump in.

    Or did you have some other action in mind?

    • #13
  14. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):
    Trump is increasingly on his own and does not appear to know what to do.

    That’s because he’s criticized no matter what he says. If he got up and walked across the Potomac River, the news of the day would be to make fun of him because he can’t swim. Republicans need to stand behind him and support him, especially the leadership in the Senate and the House. 

    • #14
  15. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    kedavis (View Comment):
    This sounds like a replay of “Bush didn’t care about Katrina.” When Bush – and now Trump – allows the locals to work as they’re supposed to and how Federalism actually requires, he’s called uncaring, priveleged, etc. And when Bush – and if now Trump – actually does anything from a federal level, he’s called Hitler.

    You said it. It does remind me of Katrina. He’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. 

    • #15
  16. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Anyone else a bit unnerved by this?

    • #16
  17. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    The revolution is here.

    • #17
  18. Stephen Richter Member
    Stephen Richter
    @StephenRichter

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):
    Trump is MIA

    Or did you have some other action in mind?

    I think he has to rally the American people against the protesters.  Either that or pack it in.  The protesters give the rioters cover, in that it can be said they simply have misplaced rage.  And the protesters are the ones condemning the police. 

     The protesters are full of it in that Blacks are not held back by a racist white society. No one stops them from studying and behaving in school. Or do not break the law and do not cause problems when dealing with the police. 

     

    • #18
  19. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    For some reason, I was reminded of this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYsng5_5h3g

    • #19
  20. Stephen Richter Member
    Stephen Richter
    @StephenRichter

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):

    …. not sure if I should be concerned about Trump’s mental health or seriously questioning his capacity to lead and put in place policies which stop the looting and violence. …

    This sounds like a replay of “Bush didn’t care about Katrina.”

    That is a very good comparison. Bush was totally abused by the media for not rescuing the Blacks quickly enough from themselves. But he could not place the blame on the Blacks ( yes, not all ) who did all the damage. So he had to just stand there and take the abuse for weeks at a time.

     

     

    • #20
  21. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    EJHill (View Comment):
    Anyone else a bit unnerved by this?

    When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon did anyone know it would trigger the Roman Civil War? 

    • #21
  22. Mister Dog Coolidge
    Mister Dog
    @MisterDog

    Wow, VDH on fire. As impassioned as I have ever heard him.

    • #22
  23. ericB Lincoln
    ericB
    @ericB

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Stephen Richter (View Comment):

    not sure if I should be concerned about Trump’s mental health or seriously questioning his capacity to lead and put in place policies which stop the looting and violence. Either way, Trump is MIA …

    This sounds like a replay of “Bush didn’t care about Katrina.” When Bush – and now Trump – allows the locals to work as they’re supposed to and how Federalism actually requires, he’s called uncaring, priveleged, etc. And when Bush – and if now Trump – actually does anything from a federal level, he’s called Hitler.

    I agree that Trump could be handling this far better than he has.  (The public assessment is even lower than his usual numbers.)

    But in our system of federalism, the President isn’t the center of the show.  The states have control of the National Guards, and the Mayors (typically) have responsibility for the police.  He should be using his public voice to inform the public about the responsibility of the governors, and to draw attention to highlighting jobs well done and exposing negligence to enforce the law.

    But Trump has a hard time acknowledging that his proper role is as Constitutionally limited as it actually is.  He wants to be seen as strong and in charge, even though he isn’t in charge in the way he wants to appear.  (Remember his Flagrant Misrepresentation about being in charge of ending the lockdowns?)

    That inclines him toward excessive statements or symbolic gestures with himself at the center, when he could be putting more of the spotlight on the governors and mayors, either praising or putting their feet to the fire.  When he tries to appear in charge, he loses because he buys into portraying himself as being responsible for situations he does not control, while in reality the fault is often the negligence of Democrats that have actual responsibility.

    • #23
  24. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Also, the volume level on this one is rather low.

    For those who have problems especially listening in their car etc, here is my boosted-by-12-dB version:

    https://www.adrive.com/public/4pkkWf/499.%20Muzzles%20Not%20Masks%20BOOSTED.mp3

    Hmm, for reasons too boring to go into, I did this one on a different computer than my regular one. Will take another crack at it in a bit. 

    • #24
  25. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Ricochet Audio Network: Music from this week’s show: The Dream Police by David Byrne

    I think the Cheap Trick version would have been more appropriate.

    Good song, but the lyrics of that one are not right for this show. 

    • #25
  26. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Blue Yeti (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Also, the volume level on this one is rather low.

    For those who have problems especially listening in their car etc, here is my boosted-by-12-dB version:

    https://www.adrive.com/public/4pkkWf/499.%20Muzzles%20Not%20Masks%20BOOSTED.mp3

    Hmm, for reasons too boring to go into, I did this one on a different computer than my regular one. Will take another crack at it in a bit.

    Or just use “my” version, unless there’s different edits you want to make, or something.

    • #26
  27. ericB Lincoln
    ericB
    @ericB

    ericB (View Comment):

    I’m not encouraged when a mayor feels “helpless” and finds there is something “really tough” about “trying to strike the right balance between” lawful peaceful protest and putting down lawless actions.

    Enforce the law, including protecting lawful assembly and speech. Prosecute illegal actions. Why is this distinction “really tough”?

    p.s. Might this reluctance to just enforce the law have anything to do with a more general loss of respect for the rule of law?  As just one example, consider the politician who already has trouble making and enforcing this distinction:

    Legal immigration can be good.
    Illegal immigration is illegal and wrong.

    Or consider politicians who prefer judges who are not bound to judging according to the text and intention of the written laws, but expect and prefer judges who consider application of the law to be subject to whatever policy preferences they prefer to implant into the law.

    If strong feelings and strong political preferences already supersede the law in numerous ways (extra credit: consider other examples), then could that make it “really tough” for such a politician to even recognize that it is their duty to distinguish lawful assembly and speech from the obvious crimes of looters and rioters, and to enforce the law?

    • #27
  28. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    New version uploaded. To get the new one, delete the file on your device and re-download the show. 

    • #28
  29. Clare Day Member
    Clare Day
    @ClareDay

    Jacobins exactly! Do the mid-educated American bien pensant believe they are creating a place of greater safety?

    I share the dread I hear in Mr. Hanson’s measured voice. 

    • #29
  30. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    ericB (View Comment):
    That article has plenty of pictures of burning police cars and vandalized buildings. What I would like to know is to what extent she (or any other mayors) acted forcefully to stop the looting and vandalizing (distinct from legal peaceful protest).

    Orlando… anything that approached violence got tear gassed and was quelled in 30 minutes. I think the worst we got was the first couple days, but I was at the beach and wasn’t paying attention. The protestors invaded the tolled highway and attempted to loot an upscale mall. It was early on and it didn’t seem to get far.

    • #30
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