Wednesday, October 04, 2006

GANG BANG

Only a handful of weeks until the general election, and that, of course, means the streets of Springfield are teeming with hoodlums. Who knew that gangs were so attuned to the rhythms of politics?

The Springfield Public Schools' board of education got an earful of gang news on Tuesday; to hear some tell it, the halls of Central High School are full of danger, masquerading in long T-shirts.

Long shirt? You must be in a gang.

That sort of constipated mindset is often on local display, especially when alleged gangs are involved and their kids might be in danger. Otherwise-smart people become fearmongers. They believe everything The Man tells them, and never think to question authority: The police chief and prosecutor said gangs are a problem? OK. Nevermind that the prosecutor is up for reelection.

Sometimes, even reporters believe the hype. Today's News-Leader account of the school board meeting includes this telling slip:
Local law enforcement officials have been making efforts to stop gang activity in Springfield. Since August, Springfield police have made more than 80 felony arrests related to gang activity; a grand jury has indicted at least 26 gang members or associates.
Absolutely no question about it -- cops are "making efforts to stop gang activity." Every one of those 80 felony arrests involves "gang activity." The 26 who've been indicted? Every single person is a "gang member or associate."

These are facts? How does the newspaper know?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shoot, Fat Jack showed up at the boogers meet-up last night wearing a Chicago Boy's do-rag.

I tried to call the cops and the SWAT team but Dunkin' Donuts was closed.

I hope we don's see blood on the street outside the pub.

Anonymous said...

John,
All I can do is Laugh Out Loud. I think we are lucking he did not show up in his Bow Tie. Think the chaos that would create. There might be a gang of Tucker Carlsons running around.

admin said...

Oh I had a bow tie on, but it wasn't where you could see. Enjoy the picture, boys. And LL, you best not be comparing me to Tucker. That traitor quit wearing his bow tie, the only good thing that he did.

Suppose he decided his show wasn't worth the dress up any longer. Ever so sad.

FJ

Anonymous said...

But Ron, there IS a gang problem in Springfield. Haven't you seen how many blacks live here now? They don't all wear long shirts, but they must be in gangs!

Anonymous said...

I'm veering off...so please, please forgive. But I have to say this:

Speaking of politics-today I heard Frasier Glenn Miller advertising on 92.9 Bass Country radio. It was broadcast throughout a business & I heard enough of it to ascertain that Miller was talking about Jews in a denegrating manner. I complained to the clerk and he agreed with me and changed the station. Then I fired off a mail to the station heads regarding Miller's reprehensible broadcast.

Anonymous said...

I had a former co-worker who used to be with Springfield PD. He said they would get calls, usually from a old person, about gang activity in a neighborhood. They would go out to that neighborhood to find two black elementary school age kids playing in front of the old persons house. He said most of the gang stuff was blown out of proportion by the prosecutor and the Springfield PD.

Anonymous said...

Lovey,

Unfortunately, the radio station cannot do anything about the content of Miller's ad. FCC rules prohibit it. A station must make paid-advertising time available to a candidate for federal office, and it may not contol the content of any political ad. I'm sure the station would prefer not to run Miller's ad, but based on current FCC rules, they have no choice.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand the fuss about the clothes the kid was wearing. We seem to have these arguments every year (not about long shirts but about some type of clothing). Frankly, I think public schools should go with uniforms. Then, we wouldn't have this problem and we would have the ongoing competition among kids to see who and wear the most expensive clothes to school. If we are real concerned that this young man was being picked on because of a skin color then uniforms would be a great equalizer. -- Republic family

John Stone said...

Miller is a self appointed write in candidate. Since he does not appear on the ballot I don't thik that any station has to carry any commercials. He is trying to get free time with VD(J) using the same argument and VD(J) is stupid enough to think he has to carry him. But then again they have respect for each other.

Anonymous said...

mrsthurstonhowell, did you also find reprehensible the reference by the Reverand Jesse Jackson to New York City as "Hymietown"?

Or is it only when someone who shares a different belief from your own do you find offense?

It must be tough standing on shifting sand.

Anonymous said...

Gee, anonymous911, you're still upset about a comment made 22 years ago? Maybe we should discuss what Spiro Agnew meant when he called Polish-Americans "polacks" and a Japanese-American reporter a "fat Jap."

Anonymous said...

"mrsthurstonhowell, did you also find reprehensible the reference by the Reverand Jesse Jackson to New York City as "Hymietown"?

Or is it only when someone who shares a different belief from your own do you find offense?

It must be tough standing on shifting sand."

I'm Vincent David John Jacob Jingle Himerschmit Shotenkirk Shimmy Shimmy Ko-ko Bop Ramma Lama Ding Dong Do Wah Diddy Diddy Gidyup Ooomp Pompa Oooomp Pompa Mow Mow Hiyo Silver Away Banana Fanna Fo Fanna De Doo Doo Doo De Da Da Da (That's all I want to say to you)Gabba Gabba Hey Gabba Hey (Now you're one of us) two all-beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onion on a sesame seed bun, Itsy Bittsy Tiny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Jericho Joiner-Kersee Sammy Davis Junior, and I approve this message.

Anonymous said...

I like the school uniform idea. Instead of arguing about who said what to offend why not about about this good idea.

Anonymous said...

911: If you are trying to bait me, at least put a little more thought into it.

The legacy of Agnew and former Republican Senator Strom Thurmond channeled through Trent Lott and recently others lives on.

Bass Country station mgr says by Fed law he has to sell time to Miller. Unless that station is one of the cheapest, the mgr should be wondering why Miller chose Bass Country.

Anonymous said...

By all means let Miller have the podium, and make sure that the spotlight shines brightly.

The more open discussion we have about what Miller and his ilk represent the more people can see what scum these white supremacists are.