* Press release…
John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today joined Attorney General William P. Barr and President Donald J. Trump to announce the expansion of Operation Legend to Chicago.
Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The Operation was first launched on July 8, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo., as a result of President Trump’s promise to assist America’s cities that are plagued by recent violence. Operation Legend is named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29, 2020, in Kansas City. The first federal arrest under Operation Legend was announced on July 20, 2020.
As part of Operation Legend, Attorney General Barr directed the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, and ATF to significantly increase resources into Chicago, as well as Albuquerque, N.M., in the coming weeks to help state and local officials fight high levels of violent crime, particularly gun violence.
“A top priority as federal prosecutors is to reduce violent crime, particularly in a large urban area like Chicago,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “As part of Operation Legend, additional federal resources will assist our office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to increase prosecutions of trigger-pullers, drug traffickers, carjackers, and those who illegally traffic, use, and possess firearms. We will use these new resources and every other available federal law enforcement tool to reduce the unacceptable level of violent crime in Chicago.”
“The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens,” said Attorney General Barr. “Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Chicago and Albuquerque to protect the residents of those cities from senseless acts of deadly violence by targeting those involved in gang activity and those who use guns to commit violent crime. For decades, the Department of Justice has achieved significant success when utilizing our anti-violent crime task forces and federal law enforcement agents to enforce federal law and assist American cities which are experiencing upticks in violent crime. The Department of Justice’s assets will supplement local law enforcement efforts, as we work together to take the shooters and chronic violent criminals off of our streets.”
Chicago is currently experiencing a significant increase in violent crime, with homicides up 51% over 2019. Over the weekend of July 17, more than 60 people were shot in the city of Chicago, with 14 fatalities. Similarly, Albuquerque is currently on pace to break 2019’s record for homicides in the city. On the weekend of July 10, there were four murders in Albuquerque within a 24-hour period.
In Chicago, the Department of Justice will supplement state and local law enforcement agencies by sending more than 100 federal investigators from the FBI, DEA, and ATF to the city. Under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Lausch, these investigators will complement the work already underway by existing joint federal, state and local task forces focused on combatting Chicago’s violent criminals, gangs, and drug trafficking organizations. The investigatory efforts will be advanced by more than 100 members of the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Task Force, which will direct violent fugitive apprehension operations within Chicago to identify wanted gang members, violent criminals, and firearms violators. The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is also committing 100 agents, already stationed in Chicago, to Operation Legend. HSI agents will conduct investigations into gangs, narcotics traffickers, violent offenders, and firearms traffickers.
To further support the Chicago Police Department in reducing violent crime, ATF has deployed its national Crime Gun Intelligence Mobile Command Vehicle to assist local law enforcement with analysis of crime scenes and spent shell casings through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). ATF will also make available additional resources to assist the city of Chicago in providing timely, efficient analysis of ballistic evidence from shootings in order to quickly disrupt violent criminals and prosecute those prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. The Bureau of Justice Assistance will make available $3.5 million in funding to reimburse the Chicago Police Department and City of Chicago for the work of local law enforcement on the federal task forces supporting Operation Legend’s violent crime reduction efforts. The COPS Office has also made $9.375 million available to the Chicago Police Department to fund the hiring of 75 officers.
I’ll post react if it comes in.
…Adding… Durbin and Duckworth…
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing an expansion of Operation Legend to Chicago, Illinois. Operation Legend is DOJ’s violent crime reduction initiative with the stated goal to provide support and assistance to state and local law enforcement partners as they work to combat violent crime, and gun violence in particular. Durbin and Duckworth are set to speak with U.S. Attorney John Lausch about Operation Legend today.
“After needless threats from the President, we’re relieved the Trump Administration says they plan to work with local officials and authorities in Chicago rather than undermine local law enforcement and endanger our civil rights, as their agents have done in Portland. We will continue closely monitoring the Administration’s efforts to ensure they follow through with this commitment.
“More than three years ago, we sent President Trump a letter suggesting a range of ways in which the Federal Government could work in partnership with local officials to provide support and resources to assist in public safety, violence prevention, and economic development efforts in Chicago. While we are hopeful that today’s announcement means the Administration has reconsidered and will take a more positive approach, President Trump still has not replied to our letter nor followed through with our suggestions. We reiterate that these steps would be more effective in reducing violence in Chicago than any effort the Administration may take to replicate the destabilizing role it played in Portland.”
In their 2017 letter which they reiterated yesterday, Durbin and Duckworth recommended that the Trump Administration take steps to assist local violence prevention efforts, including:
• enhancing Department of Justice (DOJ) programs that improve community policing;
• directing DOJ to promote mentoring and job training programs for youth and formerly incarcerated individuals;
• improving mentoring and violence prevention initiatives and boosting funding for recidivism reduction programs;
• directing DOJ to abide by its commitment to help implement policing reforms recommended by the Department’s Civil Rights Division;
• closing gaps in the FBI gun background check system and in federal firearm laws that enable straw purchasers and gun traffickers to flood Chicago’s streets with illicit guns;
• prioritizing career and youth training programs to address lack of economic opportunity in neighborhoods hit hard by violence; and
• redirecting resources that are being devoted to construction of a border wall and committing those resources instead to the efforts discussed above.
The expansion of Operation Legend will consist of an increased federal law enforcement presence in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in Chicago, Illinois. This federal law enforcement presence will consist of experienced investigative agents from FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and HSI, focused on providing support to existing violent crime task forces.
*** UPDATE *** Mayor Lightfoot…
The President reached out to Mayor Lightfoot this evening to confirm that he plans to send federal resources to Chicago to supplement ongoing federal investigations pertaining to violent crime. The conversation was brief and straightforward. Mayor Lightfoot maintains that all resources will be investigatory in nature and be coordinated through the U.S. Attorney’s office. The Mayor has made clear that if there is any deviation from what has been announced, we will pursue all available legal options to protect Chicagoans.
- Boog Alou - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
The proof is in the pudding and Trump and Barr deserve no benefits of the doubt, but this appears to be a very different op than what’s going on in Portland.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:39 pm:
“Operation Legend is named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferr”
It would be more convincing if they actually used the correct spelling of his name. Changing that spelling seems a bit insulting.
- City Guy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
I’m confused. I thought Trump had a plan for solving Chicago’s crime problem when he was elected. When he was running for President, he said a motorcycle cop in Chicago told him how to solve the problem.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
Al Capone’s reign of terror in Chicago didn’t end until the Bureau of Investigation (later to become the FBI) came in to help.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
=== Al Capone’s reign of terror in Chicago didn’t end until the Bureau of Investigation (later to become the FBI) came in to help.===
They got him on Tax Evasion.
Are Trump and Lausch bringing in… accountants?
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:44 pm:
If it helps gray and who cares who gets credit. I do not see how it can harm
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
Great not gray
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
That’s great, federal enforcement assistance, as every life saved is worth it. However in the bigger picture, it doesn’t qualify as a band-aid. Major assistance is needed, major public and private investments in jobs and schools, criminal justice reform, gun reform, etc.
We need to stop giving massive financial help to the already-wealthy and redirect it toward communities who really need it. But that will take a big change in the partisan makeup of national government.
- GregN - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
The policeman isn’t there to create disorder, the policeman is there to preserve disorder.
- Abbey - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
Lausch is the only Illinoisan making the announcement. Is there a reason duly elected state officials are not on this announcement. What happened to states rights?
- Britta - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 3:58 pm:
@DuPage Saint, I’m sure you’d feel the same if they expand into the collar counties as the election approaches.
- Anon III - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:00 pm:
GregN - @ 3:48 pm:
Greg, you are missing some quotation marks.
- Reality - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:01 pm:
Policing doesn’t prevent violence. It responds to and perpetuates it. “Trigger-pullers” - wow. But that isn’t surprising coming from a Trump appointee. This will only result in more black and brown people being locked away with no chance of rehabilitation and no real progress for their communities.
- Anon y mouse - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:03 pm:
Yeah, let’s pound on Trump for trying to help. I mean, it’s going just great for Chicago now, yes?
- Tired Teacher - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:04 pm:
If this was a serious and well planned effort the officials from Chicago and Illinois would have been included at the start. Clearly that didn’t happen. This seems destined to be a brief effort to give Trump a political talking point and will end by Election Day (if not earlier).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:05 pm:
===…pound on Trump for trying to help.===
Portland-type help isn’t help.
Just sayin’
We’ll see how this plays out.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:07 pm:
== Yeah, let’s pound on Trump for trying to help ==
To be fair, we’re pounding on him because he’s an incompetent doofus - but hey if it makes you feel better, go ahead and interpret it that way
- Gene Gene - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:09 pm:
* expand into the collar counties *
Why would they. The violence we read about every Monday is happening in Chicago, not Wheaton.
- fs - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
== Al Capone’s reign of terror in Chicago didn’t end until the Bureau of Investigation (later to become the FBI) came in to help.==
Eliot Ness was part of the bureau of prohibition, part of the Treasury department. Still the Feds, but not the FBI (or its predecessor).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
=== The violence we read about every Monday is happening in Chicago, not Wheaton.===
Truly,
You have NO idea what you just did, but wow, it speaks volumes.
Or, you know exactly what you did there and hoping only a few catch on.
Whew. I mean… wow.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
The name should be:
“Operation to try and re-elect a totally incompetent and corrupt president.”
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
=Yeah, let’s pound on Trump for trying to help.=
I think at this stage of his tenure a bit of skepticism is warranted. It seems that the President’s interest in dealing with state and city affairs is depends heavily on the issue and the city. It’s a bit odd that at this moment in history he would choose to focus on inter-city violence. I’m willing to wait and see how this plays out.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:14 pm:
=== not Wheaton.===
Jeanne Ives agrees…
- Bruce (no not him) - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:15 pm:
I for one, hopes it helps. However, I have have great doubts it is anything but a re-election gimmick.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:15 pm:
—he’s an incompetent doofus..
Greatest minority job creation and employment in history.
Rewrote NAFTA and Asian Pacific Trade pacts to favor American job creation and economic expansion.
Created American energy independence and energy exports.
Early prohibition of China flights at the start of Covid - against the outrage of Biden, Pelosi and others.
Yeah, a real “doofus”.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:17 pm:
- Downstate -
Also, endorsed by David Duke…
… yet no rebuke of it.
No matter how it’s sliced, supporting a racist *is* supporting a racist.
The rest is trying to help yourself sleep at night.
- GregN - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:17 pm:
Anon III:
Assumed everyone knew the quote, from whence it came, and in what year.
I couldn’t have made it up if I’d tried…
- NWLady - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:19 pm:
So wait, I thought they were coming in to protect Federal buildings, property and statues? That was their core mission. Now this is the explanation? What will it be next? How about they work on gun sales coming in from Indiana or the surrounding communities? Oh but wait, to do that you wouldn’t need unmarked illegal troops walking the streets. Politics at its worst.
- Gene Gene - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:21 pm:
* You have NO idea what you just did *
Oh please OW, tell me what I said that was incorrect.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:23 pm:
=== tell me what I said that was incorrect.===
You think on it.
Thanks for doubling down.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:28 pm:
@Downstate
I think you forgot to list:
Takes no responsibility for the handling of Covid-19 the greatest public health crisis in our lifetime.
Uses gas on peaceful protesters so he can have a photo op.
- 1st Ward - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:29 pm:
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/22/judge-skeptical-portland-federal-agents-378440
- Beecher - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:30 pm:
Trump is just showing support for his urban base - police unions - nothing more.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:31 pm:
“Takes no responsibility for the handling of Covid-19 ”
It’s an interesting position that the governor’s and President find themselves in. Trump early on suggested some national mandates and Cuomo, Pritzker and others were outraged. Those same individuals came back later and said Trump isn’t doing enoough. You can’t have it both ways.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:33 pm:
Hmm…
Michael Chertoff, who replaces Tom Ridge as Homeland Security Secretary, (an interim in between for 15 days, but I digress) on current events in Portland.
Washington Post.
===“… who said in an interview that the department appears to be overstepping its mission, and that Trump’s threat to send law enforcement into Democrat-run cities is “very problematic” and “very unsettling.”
“In my view, this is damaging to the department,” Chertoff told me. “It undermines the credibility of the department’s principal mission.”
…
Chertoff said that in his view, the Department of Homeland Security — which has put 2,000 agents on standby, many drawn from immigration enforcement — is departing from its mission.
“While it’s appropriate for DHS to protect federal property, that is not an excuse to range more widely in a city and to conduct police operations, particularly if local authorities have not requested federal assistance,” Chertoff told me. “That’s our constitutional system.”
Chertoff suggested DHS appears to be allowing its mission to shade into “a general roving opportunity to conduct police operations,” rather than keeping it “limited to federal interests,” in defiance of local officials who are being “overruled.”
“Going beyond that, and beginning to operate on the street, raises all kinds of issues under the Constitution’s 10th Amendment, which gives the states police power rights, as well as potentially 1st Amendment issues,” Chertoff continued.===
There’s more…
Link;
https://bit.ly/3fTlmLl
If you’re “cheering” for a Portland type situation and think it’s not diminishing the constitution… you are supporting fascist tactics.
Both Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff don’t see DHS as you do.
They might understand the agency and it’s functions better.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:35 pm:
=== It’s an interesting position that the governor’s and President find themselves in===
Not really.
Governors poll exceptionally better in handling the Coronavirus than Trump does.
The only interesting thing is why it took Trump 140,000+ deaths before tweeting to wear a mask.
- Gene Gene - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:40 pm:
* You think on it. *
Don’t need to, LOL.If you are seeing something that isn’t there, maybe the problem lies with you and your thoughts.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:41 pm:
- Gene Gene -
Thank you for telling me who you are.
I believe you.
- Tankward - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:41 pm:
lausch is helping to carry out Trump’s very controversial agenda to bring federal law enforcement (marked or unmarked) to Chicago. This establishes him as a partisan figure. it’s good news for Madigan, as it means the prosecutorial effort against him may not survive the November election if the Dems win the presidency.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:42 pm:
I wish I could be more positive in my reaction. Certainly more resources to decrease shootings and killings are needed everywhere.
I just have no faith that the Trump Administration has a genuine interest in anything but showing themselves to be the “Law and Order” saviors regardless of who is affected or how they get it done.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:50 pm:
Downstate - the problem with your line of reasoning is that when tramp was asked about taking responsibility for the pandemic, he said actually said “I don’t take responsibility at all.” Tramp has spent the past 6 months downplaying the disease, telling lies, and blaming others for his mishandling of the crisis.
Unlike Pritzker and Cuomo who have fought tooth and nail to reduce the covid19 impact. Trying to convince their constituents to wear masks, social distance, shelter at home.
- Not new - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:55 pm:
These types of operations — joint between state and fed — have been going on for a long time. In reality, many of the people arrested (if any) will be charged in state court. So, in reality, this operation will have ZERO effect on violence as long as FOXX is the State’s Attorney in Cook County.
The police and feds may arrest violent individuals but FOXX won’t prosecute.
- A - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:59 pm:
==The police and feds may arrest violent individuals but FOXX won’t prosecute==
Why not? Whats the upside?
- sick of this sh*t - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:12 pm:
Time to crack some rioters’ heads before they completely ruin all that’s good in Chicago. (In the civil neighborhoods, that is.)
- State of DenIL - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:12 pm:
I’m guessing this “operation” is scheduled to run through November.
Personally I’d prefer he sent testing supplies and continued unemployment benefits as the “help” …. That wouldn’t “help” him, though, I guess.
- 1st Ward - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:29 pm:
“The police and feds may arrest violent individuals but FOXX won’t prosecute.”
Facts are not on your side.
https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/news/innovative-state-s-attorney-s-office-program-results-dramatic-increase-repeat-gun-charges
- Froganon - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:31 pm:
@Downstate
You forgot:
70,000 children locked up in cages on the border.
support of white supremacists as in “There are good people on both sides
Well wishes to Ghislaine Maxwell, procuress and groomer for Jeffery Epstein’s victims
Trillion dollar deficits to give himself and the billionaire club taxbreaks
Rule changes to allow for more deaths in the Gulf of Mexico drilling platforms
Relaxed safety regulations allowing toxic waste flow into waters of the U.S from power plants and mines.
Ignoring Russian bounty payments on U.S. troops.
140,000 corona virus deaths and counting with no coherent federal strategy to get PPE.
Latest projections for th edeath rate from th eU of W. 300,000 to 700,000 deaths due to the complete and utter incompetence of Trump and his minions.
The grifter pres just keeps on grifting and bumbling,
- All this - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:32 pm:
==The police and feds may arrest violent individuals but FOXX won’t prosecute==
Foxx has prosecuted violent crimes. It’s true she has slacked off on the chap stick thieves and the packet of gum thieves.
- 17% Solution - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:57 pm:
Praising the president for the economy is like praising the rooster for the sunrise. Come on.
Representative Steny H. Hoyer (D) wrote the USMCA bill which borrows heavily from NAFTA and Obama’s TPP. “Created American energy independence.” You didn’t know that US has been a major energy exporter for the last decade? “Early prohibition of Chinese flights.” Except we were still getting flights from China anyway. Nope. https://www.factcheck.org/2020/03/the-facts-on-trumps-travel-restrictions/
- Dave W - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 5:58 pm:
All the hyperventilating yesterday from many of you, namely OW…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:01 pm:
- Dave W -
… and yet, you forget this from yesterday;
=== - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 21, 20 @ 3:18 pm
To the update;
=== Unlike what happened in Portland recently, Lightfoot said, the city will get resources that will plug into “existing federal agencies” that already work with Chicago.
“We welcome actual partnership, but we do not welcome dictatorship, we do not welcome authoritarianism, and we do not welcome unconstitutional arrest and detainment of our residents,” Lightfoot said.===
This is a good way to let all of government and law enforcement be seen as partners to even the community.
Far different than Portland.
Like, “the complete opposite of Portland” different.===
Keep up. Thanks.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:04 pm:
Operation Legend (in his own mind). Either stop using the story of LeGend’s death or start calling the operation by his actual name. Now.
- Banish Misfortune - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:12 pm:
This is all a Trump and Republican cosplay, but unfortunately with potentially serious consequences. Like his parades and tanks down the streets of DC for an Independence Day parade. But this has very serious implications for all of us.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:42 pm:
===The Mayor has made clear that if there is any deviation from what has been announced, we will pursue all available legal options to protect Chicagoans.===
Big gamble by *Trump*
Can he be trusted?
Big upside if he *can* be trusted.
Also?
Also, two former DHS Secretaries say the Portland situation is bordering (if not already) an unconstitutional use of federal assets to police.
Both can be true.
- Iowa City - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:44 pm:
Portland is a disgrace
- Iowa City - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:55 pm:
Local leaders abdicated their responsibilities. Feds have no choice but to step in. Sorry the local leaders can’t differentiate between protesters and anarchist criminals .
- A - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:56 pm:
Again I ask. What is the upside to lawlessness? Destruction of property? Assaults and loss of life? Why would anyone object to stopping this? It’s escalating not retreating and I’m not hearing a plan from Lightfoot. I hear resistance to help.
Is there some benefit to criminal activity that I’m missing?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:57 pm:
- Iowa City -
Explain the 10th Amendment.
Fascist policing ideals are not constitutional
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 6:58 pm:
- A -
Ask former DHS Secretaries Ridge and Chertoff.
Maybe they’ll use small words for you…
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 7:01 pm:
Trump is the only president to pardon murderers. The most soft on crime president ever. What is his problem? He ran out of murderers to pardon so he needs to get some of ours?
- A - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 7:40 pm:
Oswego
Your wit overwhelms me. I like people staying healthy and alive. Guess some don’t
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 7:43 pm:
=== I like people staying healthy and alive.===
Uninvited… uninvited federal “officers” are unconstitutional.
Address that. If you can’t, than you support unconstitutional fascist tactics.
Two Republican former DHS Secretaries can help you grasp it.
- Dave W - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 7:59 pm:
OW would’ve been defending George Wallace against the unwelcome federal intervention in Mississippi, I guess, right?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 8:08 pm:
=== would’ve been defending George Wallace===
No.
Alabama itself was refusing to follow court orders and stifling civil rights.
I can tell you’re grossly inept at history, and choosing George Wallace… only those thinking racist who denied civil rights would see that George Wallace as protecting “rights”
The later George Wallace rebuked that stand in Tuscaloosa.
I feel so bad for ya, continually not grasping politics, governing, not understanding George Wallace.
- Clearski - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 8:08 pm:
Obviously black lives do not matter to Durban & Duckworth
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 8:14 pm:
The Federal presence may be legal and helpful. My worry is that Trump will make it illegal and unhelpful.
His operational skills are so bad that even when he is right on policy he cannot get the right result.
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 9:55 pm:
=== - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:17 pm:
Also, endorsed by David Duke… ===
Exactly here is where the strawman is introduced.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 9:58 pm:
- Cadillac-
Back again? You miss me?
How can it be a straw man… if it’s true?
https://bit.ly/30Eg4wH
“Former KKK leader endorses Trump for president again – and Tucker Carlson for VP”
July 9, 2020
Did Trump rebuke it? Nope.
Is that an accomplishment?
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 10:04 pm:
Read the topic please, take a deep breathe, and explain why David Duke is relevant to the conversation.
Rich should make me moderator.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 10:08 pm:
(Sigh)
=== Downstate - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:15 pm
—he’s an incompetent doofus..
Greatest minority job creation and employment in history.
Rewrote NAFTA and Asian Pacific Trade pacts to favor American job creation and economic expansion.
Created American energy independence and energy exports.
Early prohibition of China flights at the start of Covid - against the outrage of Biden, Pelosi and others.
Yeah, a real “doofus”.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 4:17 pm
- Downstate -
Also, endorsed by David Duke…
… yet no rebuke of it.
No matter how it’s sliced, supporting a racist *is* supporting a racist.
The rest is trying to help yourself sleep at night.===
Please, your head is empty enough, don’t keep exposing you can’t keep up.
Only a real doofus wouldn’t rebuke the endorsement of David Duke.
That’s an accomplishment.
Anything else?
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 10:11 pm:
To the post- This is the exact cooperation I posted about yesterday, if it works great.
=Greatest minority job creation and employment in history.
Rewrote NAFTA and Asian Pacific Trade pacts to favor American job creation and economic expansion.
Created American energy independence and energy exports.
Early prohibition of China flights at the start of Covid - against the outrage of Biden, Pelosi and others.=
Trump didn’t create energy independence. That is just a lie.
And since you and Trump are graciously taking credit for job creation and a strong economy then I am sure yo will add to the list:
Greatest unemployment and economic collapse since the Great Depression.
Right?
- Cadillac - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 10:15 pm:
So, you introduced a strawman, rather than debate the topic as originally intended like a grownup?
Right. Exactly right.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 10:19 pm:
- Cadillac -
I fed ya. If you don’t like Trump is a racist and it’s an accomplishment that he has the endorsement of David Duke…
In reality… going after a minority Democratic mayor like Lori Lightfoot *is* very David Duke-ian
- Mayor Lightweight - Wednesday, Jul 22, 20 @ 11:51 pm:
It is unbelievable how many people on this page can excuse the lack of work by Democrats to stop violence. Will the feds be able to stem the tide? Who knows, but the Dems have failed for 60 years. That’s probably why some people prefer to live in Oswego
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 12:07 am:
===It is unbelievable how many people on this page can excuse the lack of work by Democrats to stop violence.===
I can’t speak for everyone, but it seems like your problem is more oriented towards the lack of reliance on logical fallacies to make arguments by folks who meaningfully contribute to discussions. I’ve learned a lot from and have been exposed to a lot of perspectives by commenters on this blog.
This isn’t really the place to make statements that depend on an audience to be effective — most folks will just skim right over your poorly framed assertion. That kind of garbage won’t persuade or re-enforce views of regular readers here. Some of those regular readers are also involved in the governance of the state in meaningful ways.
Arguing from fallacy won’t get you much further than your own self gratification.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 3:59 am:
Crazy that folks on this board want to make this a political debate. OW - sure knows how to criticize but offers no meaningful solutions to the problem. Let it play out then judge. And if it works you should credit Trump. And as an Illinoian you should hope it does have a positive impact. I’m not a pro Trump R not am I a nanny state Lib. It’s not an easy problem to fix and federal intervention in my opinion is welcomed.
- Woke southsider - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 5:26 am:
Glad Trump is there to bail out the incompetent machine for a half a century of failed policies.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 5:51 am:
Mayors own.
Governors own.
Presidents own.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 6:15 am:
….and as it pertains to Chicago violence, this ownership includes past and present administrations.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 6:36 am:
Covid-19 deaths in the last two weeks have eclipsed the totals for the entire month of June. School openings are now very much in question and doctors Fauci and Birx have been kept from the press. Record unemployment and soon to be record bankruptcies and foreclosures. A response on par with third world countries. So you’ll have to excuse my skepticism on why this has now made it to the top the President’s priorities.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 6:37 am:
OW @ 10:19. I can’t believe you posted that.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 6:50 am:
- Blue Dog Dem -
Trump is endorsed by David Duke.
Embrace that.
=== That’s probably why some people prefer to live in Oswego===
Supporting constitutional norms and understanding the *first two former DHS Secretaries*… isn’t based on a home address.
- SouthSideGT - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 6:57 am:
There has long been gun violence in Chicago even since the election of the president* in 2016 yet he has previously failed to send “help”. Now that young people of color are protesting the murders of fellow young people of color there is an urgency on the part of the president* to do “something” about it. But sending unbadged anonymous federal goons is unconstitutional. Period. And an unconstitutional lawless ineffective gesture is what supporters of the president* really like. OTOH if only someone did something about the criminally easy availability of guns then the level of violence in Chicago would decrease. But supporters of the president* would complain very loudly abut that as they have since 1968 and the Gun Control Act.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 7:05 am:
While it was laughable that you ignored the President’s racism and disregard for the law over the last 4 years you at least claimed to justify your support by pointing to the economy. Your continued cheerleading leads to only one obvious conclusion. As OW said embrace it. This is your brand.
- Ray Gun - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 7:07 am:
Oswego spent another day arguing with people on a blog, when there is an actual world out there that needs help. Stay courageous Oswego, the Internet needs you to save it from all the opinions of the unwashed masses.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 7:32 am:
Ray Gun wins
- XonXoff - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:27 am:
Pffft. If there are winners these days they are divisiveness, chaos, fear, and the firearm supply chain.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:35 am:
= If there are winners these days they are divisiveness, chaos, fear, and the firearm supply chain.=
As far as I can tell that’s all that’s left of the administration these days. If four years in you’re still cheering we know who you are and what you stand for.
- Downstate - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:39 am:
“we know who you are and what you stand for.”
Prejudice much?
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:48 am:
@Downstate
Some things are just self-evident. And yes, I do have a problem with blatant racism. Those that practice it, those that turn a blind eye to it, and those that cheer it.
- pool boy - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:49 am:
This just in, Trump pledges to use Operation Legend to find the true identity of Oswego Willy.
- Downstate - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:53 am:
Pundent,
And where does one sign up to become part of the “racism police”?
To quote another, “I support the authority of ideas, rather than the idea of authority.”
The authorities of Chicago have failed their citizens. That’s not the result of racism. It’s the failure of leadership.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:55 am:
=== Prejudice much?===
Gaslighting won’t help, sorry.
And this… good stuff;
===I do have a problem with blatant racism. Those that practice it, those that turn a blind eye to it, and those that cheer it.===
- pool boy -
I will be a bigger disappointment than finding what was in Al Capone’s vault.
:)
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 23, 20 @ 8:57 am:
- Downstate -
Trump is a racist, from the Central Park 5, to the racial prejudices in court and his renting record, to Charlottesville.
If you support a racist, that’s on no one but those who support Trump.
You may not like that you support a racist, but…