By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
At least at first blush, Barack Obama did what American presidents are supposed to do on Monday night, Save Jerseyans, taking to the airwaves and calling for calm in a moment of controversy. But it’s what he didn’t say that resonated in America’s cities and, I’d argue, helps explain why we’re seeing video of looting, arson and assorted other acts of criminal violence on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri:
No nod to the grand jury, either specifically or as an institution, Mr. President?
Every other individual, cause, entity and faction tangentially involved in the Michael Brown saga (including U.S. police generally) earned a positive mention. Not feigning impartially, Obama “joined” with the deceased teen’s parents in hoping for change (there’s that word again!).
The Commander-in-Chief also remembered to once again, as he has many times in the past both on foreign and domestic soil, remind us of how much we, the American people, absolutely suck:
You know what would’ve been awfully nice? For a refreshing change of pace?
If the President of the United States had called for Americans to respect the system.
Explained why a sober, dispassionate approach to tragedy is the only path to true justice.
Pointed out to the public that a Democrat prosecutor had turned this case over to the grand jury – rather than simply refusing to seek charges at all, as was his prerogative – and that a Democrat Governor had called out the “militarized” police force to combat violent protesters.
Stopped his administration’s official policy of race-baiting.
Apologized to the family of Officer Darren Wilson for his Justice Department’s decision to prejudge the case.
Blasted the culture of victimization by pointing out to young minorities that this country couldn’t be all too racist if it elected him, a black man, to the highest office in the land (twice).
Reprimanded members of his own party/coalition for fanning the flames of violence, dropping phrases like “race war” on national television.
Reexamined his own worldview.
Conceded that his policies have left black Americans worse off than he found them in January 2009 by every metric.
Articulated a belief that senseless violence isn’t redeemed by more senseless violence? Notwithstanding the President’s close historic affiliation with a notorious domestic terrorist…
Invoked the late Rev. Martin Luther King’s famous admonition that “[t]he ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.“
Educated the American people on the root causes of violence in the black community that have gone unaddressed by black political “leaders” since MLK’s assassination (remember: 94% of black murder victims in this country are killed by other black citizens).
Considered how his own record of gross lawlessness and moral relativism (e.g. granting amnesty to 5 million people by executive fiat) might contribute to a culture of perverse justification. He actually had the balls to say “[t]here are issues in which the law too often feels as if it is being applied in a discriminatory fashion” during Monday night’s remarks… (!!!)
Unfortunately, to do any of the stuff listed above, this President would have to believe some of it.
And he doesn’t as I’ve hinted at above by highlighting the many inconsistencies surrounding this man.
Welcome to Ferguson. You did help build that, sir. Own up to it.
Had to turn it off….the bigotry overcame me
Well said!
@Caren Thanks! Someone needed to say it…
Indeed!
Indeed!
Obama could have quelled the situation. This was not protesting. This was not even civil disobedience. This was a riot. They were breaking the law. I am infuriated that the President of the United States is unable to do anything. The whole world is watching. This is not a red or blue states situation. LEADERSHIP with not taking sides.
He’s not unable, he just refuses to do any thing.
Why is this new????.listen to his pastor again…Rev..(lol) wright..all planned..