Odd? Baltimore Asks For FBI's Help With Gun Violence/Murders?

The gun violence and homicide rate in Baltimore is no laughing matter.  Murders are at levels that haven't been seen in two decades.  Like a lot of cities experiencing record crime rates, much can be attributed to the "Ferguson Effect" or, more accurately stated, de-policing.  This has been primarily created by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division's intervention. This has caused the police to pull back for fear of being prosecuted for murder or for violating a black person's civil rights.

So, here's the odd thing.  The mayor of Baltimore wants the FBI to fix the violence problem. Who does the FBI report to?  The Justice Department.  This, to me, is like a dog chasing its own tail.

References:

Baltimore’s mayor finally asks for federal help with their murder epidemic: http://hotair.com/archives/2017/05/02/baltimores-mayor-finally-asks-federal-help-murder-epidemic/

DOJ "Ankle-Bracelets" The Chicago and Baltimore Police: http://cuttingthroughthefog.blogspot.com/2017/01/doj-ankle-bracelets-chicago-and.html

Chicago Led a Murderous 2016 in America

In its December 20 report on crime in America, the Brennan Center for Justice said that murders were up by 14% across our 30 largest cities but, it was Chicago that contributed 43.7% of that total increase.  Nearly half.  In fact, Chicago had its bloodiest year in two decades; ending the year with 762 homicides.  Up 57% from the city's deadly 2015 numbers.

Chicago also saw a substantial increase in non-death violent crimes; up 17.7%.  The leader in this category was San Antonio with a 23.5% increase in violent crimes.  A close second was Oklahoma City up 23%.

However, one significant and disturbing thing about 2016, was the number of police killed.  Up 56% from 2015.  Many of these killings being anti-cop ambushes.

Simply, something has to have changed to cause these sudden increases.  Chicago's former top cop said that its the Black Lives Matter movement that has hamstrung America's cops.  In most of the cities that have seen increases in both violent crime and murders, arrests are down.  There's a fear among police that they are under siege by an untold number of camera-carrying people who are just waiting to catch a cop doing something wrong.  Essentially, we have told America's police that they can't be human and can never make mistakes.  So, understandably. they back off.  As a result of this reduced policing, it is members of the black community who are now dying at higher rates.  If you no longer make stops and arrests, the guns remain in the hands of those who kill.

References:

Crime in 2016: Updated Analysis: https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/crime-2016-updated-analysis

Chicago records 762 homicides in 2016, up 57 percent from previous year: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/01/01/1-chicagos-bloodiest-years-ends-with-762-homicides.html

Arrest the killings: Fatal shootings of police up 56 percent in 2016: http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2016/12/31/Arrest-the-killings-Fatal-shootings-of-police-up-56-percent-in-2016/stories/201701310010

Chicago's former top cop claims Black Lives Matter is leading to more black deaths and preventing police from doing their jobs: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4081796/Chicago-s-former-cop-claims-Black-Lives-Matter-leading-black-deaths-preventing-police-doing-jobs.html

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The U.S. Has Nearly a Quarter Million Unsolved Murders Since 1980

Much of the recent news about Chicago has been regarding this year's number of shootings and murders.  What isn't well publicized is the fact that only 21% of murders in the city are cleared (solved).  A similar problem exists in Detroit where only 30% are cleared.  Los Angeles is only slightly better at 40%. In the country as a whole, only 64% of murders are solved.  This average is well down from 90% in 1965.  All told, nearly a quarter of a million murders have gone unsolved since 1980 with another 5,000 added each year.

One would have thought that with today's high tech tools such as DNA and the national fingerprint data base and identification system, crime fighting would have gotten much better.  But, the ability to solve murders still relies heavily on the human element.

In Chicago, the low clearance rate is a result of three factors that are probably common to many of the cities that have this problem.  First, many of the murders are committed by gangs and the members of the community fear that they too will be murdered if they come forth as witnesses.  Additionally, there is an increasing mistrust of the police; and again, witnesses not coming forward.  Finally, because of budget cuts, too few personnel are available to perform proper crime scene investigations and  detective work.

It always seems as if videos are taken when a police officer shoots someone, but where are those same cameras when someone is being murdered or shot without police involvement?  Also, mistrust has only increased because we have a President and other leaders that continually imply that police are guilty of racial bias.

Something has to change, or many more murders will go unsolved.   This is especially true due to the rising murder rates in our major cities as a result of the Ferguson effect.  Sending in the Justice Department to discipline our police on the reckless assumption that they're racist isn't going to resolve anything.

References:

Getting Away With Murder: Police fail to make an arrest in more than a third of the nation’s killings: http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21656725-police-fail-make-arrest-more-third-nations-killings-getting-away

As Chicago killings surge, the unsolved cases pile up: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-homicide-clearance-rate-20160909-story.html

Shoddy LAPD record keeping muddies murder statistics: http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140628/shoddy-lapd-record-keeping-muddies-murder-statistics

After Years of Decline, Murder and Crime Rise

The early 1990's saw crime and murder rates out of control.   In 1993, there were more than 14 million crimes committed and nearly 25,000 murders.  By 2014, the number of crimes fell to 9-1/2 million and murders were down to 14,250.  Similarly, overall violent crimes fell from nearly 2 million in 1993 to just 1.2 million in 2014.  Many believe that more active policing and increased traffic stops were responsible for the decline.

Now, in the last two years, crime in our major cities is rising to levels that haven't been seen in years.

While Barack Obama refuses to blame this rise on the less aggressive policing resulting from the poor treatment of cops over the incidents in Ferguson, Baltimore, and other cities, the facts are undeniable.  For example, in Minneapolis, violent crime is up while traffic stops are down 30%, and arrests for violent crimes are down 30%.  In Chicago, traffic stops are down 80% while murders are up nearly 70%. In Las Vegas, murders have doubled.  And, more often than not, blacks are the ones dying at higher rates than whites.  In Chicago, 73% of those murdered are black.

Therefore, if black lives truly matter, let the police do their jobs, and get the civil rights division of the Justice Department off their backs.  The way things are now, all too many blacks are dying as a result of passive policing in our major cities, along with the hands-off attitude against blacks during traffic stops.

References:

Homicide Rates Jump in Many Major U.S. Cities, New Data Shows: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/14/us/murder-rates-cities-fbi.html

Violent crime up, yet Minneapolis police make fewer arrests: http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/05/13/minneapolis-violent-crime-up-yet-police-make-fewer-arrests

The Obama Murders: D.C., Baltimore and Chicago Lead Murder Spike: http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262607/obama-murders-dc-baltimore-and-chicago-lead-murder-daniel-greenfield

U.S. Crime Stats by Year: http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm


Chicago Gun Violence Statistics: http://heyjackass.com/category/2016-stats/

Chicago Police Department's "stop and frisks" down 80 percent: http://abc7chicago.com/news/cpd-stop-and-frisks-down-80-percent-in-2016/1182604/

California Is Proving That The 1994 Crime Bill Worked

In 1993, America's violent crime and homicides hit all time records.  In response, the then-President Bill Clinton signed into law the massive "Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994".  Known simply today as the Crime Bill of 1994.

While the bill had many provisions, those that provided mandatory minimum sentences and the 3-strikes rule have come under fire in recent years.  The reason is that these provisions have been blamed for the overcrowding of our prisons.  This problem, known politically as "mass incarcerations," has been a key issue for the likes of Hillary Clinton who wants to, according to her website: "End the era of mass incarceration, reform mandatory minimum sentences, and end private prisons". Even her husband, who signed the Crime Bill, has publicly stated his regrets for that law.  Both bowing to the pressures being exerted by activists in this election year.

Of course, leave it to Californians to take matters into their own hands and reduce their "mass incarceration" problem with the passage of the ballot initiative known as "Proposition 47" and the passage of Assembly Bill "AB109".  The result of which made certain that some crimes would be downgraded to misdemeanor status with only limited jail time rather than  prison; and that other prisoners would see early releases.

While California may have seen their prison overcrowding problems reduced, in Nevada -- especially in Clark County where Las Vegas is situated -- crime is going through the roof, The murder rate in Clark County is double what it was last year. California's leniency in sentencing, is at least partly to blame.   That's because many of the newly arrested were from California, and were also beneficiaries of Proposition 47 and AB109.  Also, Los Angeles, too, has seen its crime rate spike.  But, supporters of Proposition 47 point out that spiking crime rates exist in many major cities such as Chicago, and therefore, "47" shouldn't be singled out as the reason.

Here's the simple fact.  The study by the Bureau of Justice statistics found that 56% of those arrested for violent crimes had prior arrest records.  Thus, if you "early out" criminals, there is definitely going to be a higher incidence of crime; and especially murder.  I think California is definitely proving that the 1994 Crime Bill was the right thing to do.   Especially when you consider that gun-related murders in this country, have fallen from 18,253 in 1993 to 8,124 in in 2014.  A 75% reduction.

Do we really want to go back to the good old days of 1993 by putting criminals back on the streets?

References:

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_Crime_Control_and_Law_Enforcement_Act

Bill Clinton renounces his 1994 crime bill: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/241247-bill-clinton-renounces-his-1994-crime-bill

Hillary Clinton on the Issues: Criminal Justice Reform: https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/criminal-justice-reform/

California Proposition 47: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_47_(2014)

Overview of AB109: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/realignment/docs/realignment-fact-sheet.pdf

Las Vegas Blames California For Spike In Crimes: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/05/19/las-vegas-blames-california-for-spike-in-crimes/

Homicides increase 100 percent in Clark County between 2015 and 2016: http://news3lv.com/news/local/homicides-increase-100-percent-in-clark-county-between-2015-and-2016

Here's Where L.A.'s Biggest Crime Increases Are Happening: http://www.laweekly.com/news/heres-where-las-biggest-crime-increases-are-happening-6549370

Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/ascii/vfluc.txt

Gun related murders 1993: https://www.google.com/search?q=gun+related+murders+1993&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

FBI: Murder Victims By Weapon Type: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/expanded-homicide-data/expanded_homicide_data_table_8_murder_victims_by_weapon_2010-2014.xls

Defending Bill Clinton Versus Black Lives Matter On Crime

Apparently, a big issue among blacks, and especially the Black Lives Matter group, is the 1994 crime bill that Bill Clinton signed into law while President, which they believe has caused mass incarcerations of blacks.  At a rally, he was forced to dress down Black Lives Matter protestors over that very issue.

Its not often that I defend Bill Clinton, but the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act along with the gun control bill called the Brady Bill (which Clinton also signed into law that same year), have gone a long way in saving lives and reducing crime in this country.

In the 1990's, when Clinton came to office, crime was out of control; especially violent crime and murder.  Murders hit a record high of 24,700 in 1991 and the incidences of violent crime also hit a record 1.9 million in 1992.   As of 2014, murders hit a low of 14,249 and violent crimes are down to 1.2 million.  And, yes, because of those two laws by Clinton, black incarcerations have gone up.

But, understand, according to FBI statistics, blacks commit more crimes relative to their percentage of the population.  While they makeup just 12% of the population, they commit 52.2% of all murders/manslaughters.  They commit 56% of robberies, and overall, 28.3% of all crimes categorized by the FBI.  So, its only logical that they would have a higher incarceration rate (32%).  Also understand, that blacks have a higher rate of recidivism which is generally blamed on higher rates of poverty which stands at 27% compared to 15.4% for the general population.  Additionally, higher black rates of unemployment and higher rates of illiteracy force them to commit higher amounts of crime.  According to the Department of Education, 70% of prison inmates are functionally illiterate.

The bottom line is that Clinton accomplished a reduction of crime.  Especially when you consider that the population of this country is 22% higher than it was in 1994.  Therefore, proportionately, the reductions are even more dramatic.  Now, while the crime bill itself really only addressed getting criminals off the streets, it fell woefully short in reducing the very reasons for crime.  That's what Black Lives Matter protesters should be focused on and not the 22 year old crime bill itself.  Also, blacks need to take responsibility for their high rates of crime and incarceration; starting with education, leading to improved literacy rates, and ultimately, better jobs.

References:

Bill Clinton spars with Black Lives Matter protesters: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/07/politics/bill-clinton-black-lives-matter-protesters/index.html

20 Years Later, Parts Of Major Crime Bill Viewed As Terrible Mistake: http://www.npr.org/2014/09/12/347736999/20-years-later-major-crime-bill-viewed-as-terrible-mistake

United States Crime Rates 1960 - 2014: http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm

U.S. Population 1994: https://www.google.com/search?q=u.s+population+in+1994&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

FBI: Arrests by Race and Crime: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/table-43

Prisoner Populations in 2013: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/p13.pdf

Criminal Recidivism: the Plight of African American Male Youth: https://psychsocialissues.com/2013/11/20/criminal-recidivism-the-plight-of-african-american-male-youth/

Poverty in Black America: http://blackdemographics.com/households/poverty/

Illiteracy Statistics:  http://www.statisticbrain.com/number-of-american-adults-who-cant-read/

Is Black Lives Matter Killing Blacks?

The Black Lives Matter movement grew out of the belief that police were specifically targeting and killing unarmed blacks across the United States.  As a result, there has been public and federal pressure for police to pull back on policing activity.  Less traffic stops.  Less confrontations with blacks in general.  Adding to the problem, Police Officers are now so afraid of being charged with a crime that they are hesitating to effectively do their jobs.  As a result, less guns and fewer potentially violent criminals are being taken off the streets.

In Chicago, police traffic stops are down 90%, while gun violence is skyrocketing.  Murders, alone, are up 72% from last year, and it is estimated that the city is trending to have 700 murders this year, or approximately 1/20th of all the murders in the United States. More importantly, 71% of the murders in Chicago are of blacks. While, as of this writing, there have been 105 blacks murdered out of the 151 total in the city, the number of police-involved homicides is just 2 (races unknown).

So, this begs the question;  Are reduced policing activities killing more blacks?  You be the judge.  Is the Black Lives Matter movement actually killing more blacks than saving their lives?

References:

Chicago Police Stops Down By 90 Percent As Gun Violence Skyrockets: https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160331/bronzeville/chicago-police-stops-down-by-90-percent-as-gun-violence-skyrockets

Chicago Gun Violence stats: http://heyjackass.com/

Chicago's Murder Rate Soars 72% In 2016; Shootings Up More Than 88%: http://nation.foxnews.com/2016/04/03/chicagos-murder-rate-soars-72-2016-shootings-more-88

Chicago: Gun Violence Spirals Out Of Control!

The following graphic speaks volumes about the so-called "Ferguson Effect" in Chicago.

Source HeyJackass.com

Less than 3 weeks into this new year,  Chicago has had 2.4 times more people shot than in 2015.  Sadly, 29 of those 195 shooting victims lost their lives.  What is more disturbing,  is this graphic which reflects the race of those murdered through January 20th:

Source HeyJackass.com

The assailant percentage is somewhat deceiving, since the vast majority of murders in Chicago this year have yet to be solved; and probably won't be solved since many of these killings are gang related and witnesses are afraid to come forward.  In fact, 70% of homicides in the City go unsolved.

Obviously, President Obama's focus is on cops killing unarmed blacks. The emphasis on that as the primary problem in our major cities, has put hundreds of people in Chicago at a greater risk of being shot or killed.  As long as police feel that they are under a microscope, they will be reluctant to more aggressively confront these situations, especially those involving Blacks. Tragically, gun violence will continue to spin out of control.

References:

Chicago Shooting & Homicide Statistics: http://heyjackass.com/category/2016-stats/

Under Emanuel, more unsolved murders, fewer detectives: http://www.wbez.org/news/under-emanuel-more-unsolved-murders-fewer-detectives-111750

Obama, FBI director spar over the 'Ferguson Effect' on police: http://thehill.com/news/administration/258737-obama-fbi-director-spar-over-the-ferguson-effect-on-police

Chicago: The Ferguson Effect and Justice Not Served

In most every big city in America, murders and violent crime surged in 2015.  Up between 11% and 16%; depending on the study you look at.

Something called the "Ferguson Effect" is being blamed for it.  Essentially, the "Ferguson Effect" has chilled active policing in our major cities for fear that a cop, any cop, will find themselves in court, or perhaps in prison for murder, should something go wrong during an altercation that may ends in the death of a suspected criminal. Thus, the crooks have gotten the streets back.

For Chicago, the number of murders in 2015 is projected to hit 505; up more than 11% from the 2013 and 2014 counts of 450 and 454, respectively.  However, on a positive side, it won't see the highly publicized number of 514 murders that was seen in 2012.

Also, for Chicago, 2015 was also the year when the video of Laquan McDonald being shot to death by a cop was released to the world press.  Now, some people are calling for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign.  On top of that, GQ Magazine has named Rahm to its worst people's list of 2015.

In my opinion, there is a bigger issue regarding the Chicago Police and Mayor Emanuel that is being ignored amid the charged environment of the Laquan video.  That issue is the fact that so few murders are actually solved and brought to justice in that City.  In 2012 -- a year that saw the recent record of 514 murders -- only 26% were solved.  Another report by the Chicago Sun Times found that, since 1990, the solved murder rate has fallen from 70% to below 30%.

Essentially, Rahm Emanuel has neutered the Police's investigative capabilities in an effort to solve the City's budget problems.  The Sun-Times found that the "number of Chicago Police detectives, evidence technicians, and forensic investigators has declined by at least 19 percent since Emanuel took office."

If Rahm does resign, it should be over his weakening of the Police Department; leaving the City exposed, justice not being served, and criminals left on the streets to commit even more crime.  The 2015 stats may only be the tip of the iceberg, created by an overworked police investigative team which will continue to create an exponential rise in crime in the years to come.

References:

Rahm Emanuel, Under Siege in Chicago, Shows Contrite Side: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/28/us/rahm-emanuel-under-siege-in-chicago-shows-contrite-side.html

Trying to Hide the Rise of Violent Crime: Progressives and their media allies have launched a campaign to deny the ‘Ferguson effect’—but it’s real, and it’s increasingly deadly for inner cities: https://www.google.com/search?q=Trying+to+Hide+the+Rise+of+Violent+Crime&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

FBI head doubles down on 'Ferguson effect' | TheHill: http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/260080-fbi-head-doubles-down-on-ferguson-effect

2015 Chicago Crime Stats: http://heyjackass.com/

Chicago’s Criminals Are Getting Away With Murder: http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2013/Getting-Away-with-Murder/

WBEZ report: Chicago has more unsolved murders, fewer detectives: http://homicides.suntimes.com/2015/03/24/wbez-report-chicago-has-more-unsolved-murders-fewer-detectives/

Baltimore's July Murder Count Is Even Worse Than Reported

In July, Baltimore had 45 murders.  This was a single-month tally that this city hadn't seen in 43 years ago in 1972.

However, in 1972, the population of Baltimore was over 900,000.  Today, the city has a third less people.  This means that, this July, the murder rate was 7.5 murders per 100,000 residents.  43 years ago, the murder rate per 100,000 residents was only 5.

Thus, July's killings are statistically higher by 50% than what was seen in one month in 1972.

References:

Baltimore killings soar to a level unseen in 43 years: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/60352506f481415c8edf3fc35b6f8103/baltimore-killings-soar-level-unseen-43-years

Population history of Baltimore from 1790 - 1990: http://physics.bu.edu/~redner/projects/population/cities/baltimore.html

Baltimore's Population 1970 To 2013:  https://www.google.com/search?q=baltimore+population&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

OK The Confederate Flag In S.C. Is Gone. Now What?

As I am writing this, South Carolina has removed the racist, Confederate flag from the State Capital grounds.  A flag that ceased being the official flag of the South 139 years ago. So, now, blacks are safe from murdeingr racists whites. Right?  The only problem is that statistically whites don't kill blacks.  Blacks do.

According to FBI records, 2491 blacks were murdered in 2013.  Only 189 offenders in those deaths were white.  2245 where black.

So, what flag do we need to take down to keep blacks from killing other blacks?

References:

FBI Murder Statistics: https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/expanded-homicide/expanded_homicide_data_table_6_murder_race_and_sex_of_vicitm_by_race_and_sex_of_offender_2013.xls

S.C. Statehouse will take down Confederate flag Friday: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/07/09/south-carolina-house-confederate-flag/29901255/

Handcuffing Our Police Is Killing More Americans Than Terrorism

According to the latest State Department accounting, out of 17,891 terrorist murders around the world in 2013, 19 were Americans.

In Baltimore, May was the first full month since the Freddie Gray riots. 38 homicides were committed; an increase of 20 from the previous four months that averaged a total of 18 murders a month.  More than all the Americans killed by terrorists in all of 2013.

And, Baltimore is not alone.  This year, after seeing two decades of decline in gun violence, many cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and St. Louis, are experiencing double-digit increases in murders in just the first 5 months of the year.   In Milwaukee, homicides are up 180% over last year. 

This is what happens when you have a President and his current and past Attorney's General, Mayors like De Blasio in New York City, and activists like Al Sharpton all condemning the police over the deaths of 3 unarmed black men: Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray.  The police are now in a position where they believe that no one has their backs.  Especially, their President and the Department of Justice. As a result, arrests and traffic stops are down. There is fear that a single stop could result in their own deaths, because they are now more likely to hesitate to protect themselves. A split-second hesitation that could be deadly. Any altercation with a suspect could end in their own arrests or even a charge of murder. Without the preventive policing of stopping suspicious  people, countless illegal guns are not being confiscated that ultimately end up killing someone.

Hundreds more black lives are being lost every month, and innocent black women and children are being killed in the process.  If black lives really do matter, the new policies towards (really, against) policing are not working.

The media is always talking about President Obama's legacies such as Cuba and the possibility of a nuke deal with Iran.  Well, here's one that he now owns.  Killing more people through restrictive policing than terrorists like ISIS could ever hope to accomplish since 9/11. Americans now have more to fear from this President's handcuffing of police than any terrorist group.  The facts prove it.

One last thing.  Obama is readying a number of gun control laws aimed at keeping them out of the hands of dangerous people.  Really? His policing restrictions have actually managed to allow dangerous people to keep guns and increasingly use them.  Violent offenders will always find ways to buy weapons outside the law.  Just as drug addicts can always find drugs,  Please, for the sake of all too many lives, let the cops do their jobs.

Update: The final tally of homicides in Baltimore for May is 43; meaning a 25 murder increase from the first four months of the year: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/05/31/baltimore-homicides-worst-in-40-years/28284839/

References:

The New Nationwide Crime Rate: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+New+Nationwide+Crime+Wave&oq=The+New+Nationwide+Crime+Wave&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.96j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8#q=The+New+Nationwide+Crime+Wave&tbm=nws

Of the 17,891 Deaths from Terrorism Last Year, 19 Were American. Let Iraqis Fight ISIS: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/h-a-goodman/of-the-17891-deaths-from_b_5818082.html

The double murder Thursday of a young mother and her 7-year-old boy brought Baltimore's bloody monthly homicide tally to 38, a figure that dwarfs that of similar-sized cities and even exceeds the total for the same period in New York: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/30/murder-capital-baltimores-homicide-explosion-in-wake-freddie-gray-case-dwarfs/

Baltimore boy, 8, murdered [shot in the head] as city's bloody May continues: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/baltimore-boy-8-murdered-city-bloody-continues-article-1.2238941

You’re [now] 45% more likely to be murdered in de Blasio’s Manhattan: http://nypost.com/2015/05/26/youre-45-more-likely-to-be-murdered-in-de-blasios-manhattan/

Summer 2015 Starts Off With Staggering Gun Violence in Chicago, NY, Baltimore: http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/summer-2015-starts-staggering-gun-violence-chicago-ny-baltimore

Administration preps new gun regulations: http://thehill.com/regulation/243520-administration-preps-new-gun-regulations


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Black Lives Matter and the N-Word

Every time I hear the newest mantra that "Black Lives Matter", I am reminded of the use of the N-Word.  Among blacks, the N-Word can be freely used as both a noun and an adjective.  But, have one white person use that word, and it's racism. On the other hand, its apparently alright, that of the 10,000 to 12,000 murders each year, half are black and, of that half, 93% (roughly 5100) are committed by other blacks.  But, have one white cop kill an unarmed black person -- even for a justifiable reason -- and it, too, is racism. 

The simple fact is that the killing of unarmed blacks is quite rare when compared to the daily killing that takes place between blacks themselves in this nation. The website Gawker and their page titled "Unarmed People of Color Killed by Police, 1999-2014" shows the faces of a total of 70 unarmed blacks who have been killed by police in the last 15 years:

In that same Gawker site, it mentions that the NAACP tweeted that a total of 76 unarmed blacks had been killed by cops since 1999.   Whether it is 70 or 76, it's an insignificant number when compared to the number of blacks killing each other; every year.

So, in my opinion, the "Black Lives Matter" mantra is nothing but a political buzz phrase that does a complete disservice to the police in this country. If black lives really do matter then, people like Hillary Clinton and the Al Sharpton should be focusing on the main cause of all black murders.  Simply focusing on a the approximately 5 unarmed blacks dying at the hands of cops each year, cheapens the deaths of so many others that are being killed -- many of which are drive-by executions -- by persons of their own race.

References:

Black Lives Matter | Not a Moment, a Movement: http://blacklivesmatter.com/

Protesters mark New Year with 'Black Lives Matter' marches across US: http://rt.com/usa/219191-new-year-black-lives-protest/

Hillary Clinton denounces torture and says 'black lives matter': http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/hillary-clinton-denounces-torture-black-lives-matter-article-1.2048047

Thousands join Al Sharpton in 'Justice for All' march in D.C.:Thousands of demonstrators streamed down Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday, shouting “Black lives matter": http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sharpton-to-lead-justice-for-all-march-in-dc/2014/12/13/36ce8a68-824f-11e4-9f38-95a187e4c1f7_story.html

 Unarmed People of Color Killed by Police, 1999-2014: http://gawker.com/unarmed-people-of-color-killed-by-police-1999-2014-1666672349

Race and crime in the United States: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_crime_in_the_United_States

The Sad Truth About Black Murder In America

The only time that President Obama, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson ever show any concern about a black person being murdered in this country is when a white cop is involved.

Yet, of the approximate 12,500 victims of murder each year, 50% are black.  This despite the fact that blacks only makeup 13% of the population. And, of those deaths,  93% of them are at the hands of other blacks.

By ignoring these statistics and only focusing on killings involving cops, black leaders are cheapening the deaths of all too many blacks.

According to the FBI, in 2011 there were only 393 officer-involved deaths.  So, cops killing Americans of any color is a small fraction of the murders in this country.  Certainly, nowhere near the 6,329 blacks who were slain in 2011; primarily by other blacks.  In my opinion, this tells us that we don't have a policing problem.  However, one would think so, based on all the commentary and protests over the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Grant.

I think its time for black leaders -- including our President -- to focus in on the real problem of black murders in this country instead of sidestepping the issue by only blaming cops. While there are no statistics to prove it, I'm quite sure that the total number of black murders would actually be a lot higher without the police doing their jobs and maintaining order in highly black populated neighborhoods.  Every time a police officer (black, white, or whatever) is able to remove an illegal gun from someone following a traffic stop or in some other interaction, the chances are pretty good that a life may have been saved as a result.  In Chicago, alone, 7,000 illegal guns were taken off the streets in 2012.  If even 1% of those guns would have ultimately been used in a murder, that's 70 lives saved;  probably 35 of which would be statistically black. 

As a country, we need to appreciate the roll of our police and not denigrate them.

References:

FBI: Expanded Homicide Data: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/expanded/expanded-homicide-data

A look at statistics on black-on-black murders: http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2013/jul/17/tweets/look-statistic-blacks-and-murder/

Why does Chicago have so many illegal guns?: http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2014/10/22/why-does-chicagohavesomanyillegalguns.html

Chicago: July 4th Killings/Shootings Beat 2013

Chicago's Mayor has been kicking back and celebrating the year's drop in deadly violence in his city compared to years past.

However, this year's 4th of July weekend just proved that violence must still be in that city's genes.

Last year, 12 people died of gunshots and 74 were wounded.  This year, with violence supposedly down, 14 people lost their lives and 82 were wounded. 

References:

2013: Chicago erupts in gun violence: 74 people shot, 12 killed over July 4 weekend: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0708/Chicago-erupts-in-gun-violence-74-people-shot-12-killed-over-July-4-weekend

2014: Fourth of July weekend toll: 82 shot, 14 of them fatally, in Chicago: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-fourth-of-july-toll-82-shot-14-of-them-fatally-in-chicago-20140707,0,5439185.story

Jesse Jackson: The Gun-Control Activist That Can't Shoot Straight

Apparently, Rev. Jesse Jackson wants to use Trayvon Martin's death as a means to repeal the "Stand Your Ground" and other related gun laws such as the "Castle Law", that exist in 24 states.  The hypocrisy here is that he using a single incident to try and overturn laws that have been created from the desperation over an increasing number of shooting deaths at the hands of home invaders and liquor and convenience store robbers.  All you have to do is Google "killed in a home invasion" to see what is actually driving state legislatures to consider such laws.  People are frightened.  By far, the incidents of home invasion killings far exceed the single Trayvon death.

Mr. Jackson would better serve the Black community by going back to the City of Chicago where there are no "Stand Your Ground" laws and where Black-on-Black shooting deaths are completely out of control. This. in a city that is supposed to have the strictest gun laws in the nation. In most cases, the people being killed don't even have a chance to stand their ground.  They are simply executed for, maybe, having an exclusive pair of shoes; or, sitting on their front porch; or simply sleeping in their own beds.

If Jackson wants to be a gun-control activist, he needs to work on changing the mentality among Black youths that guns are a necessary part of life. That killing of any kind, is a criminal, moral, and spiritual offense. Maybe if Jackson and other leaders would start condemning the amount of prevalent Black on Black crimes and stop focusing on obscure, questionable racial shootings, more Blacks would be saved from death and imprisonment in the process.

Lastly, in Chicago, the murder rate rose 60% in just the first 3 months of 2012 as compared to the same period last year.  Of the 120 murders in that period, 101 were shooting deaths, and the majority of those killed were Black. Yet, Jackson has spent the last month highlighting a single shooting in Florida that does not, in any way,  indicate a widespread problem.  Talk about taking aim at the wrong target!

Biden's Wrong Again: Crime Rates Are Down

In a defense of the President's jobs bill, Joe Biden claims that any GOP blockage of the bill will "continue" the "rise" in rapes and murders across this country. So, by implication, the GOP could be said to be complicit in those crimes.



Unfortunately for Biden, there are some just-released FBI statistics that completely contradict his rather big lie.

Nationwide, all violent crimes, as of the end of 2010, have fallen each year over the last 4 years by a collective factor of 6%; with no indication that 2011 wouldn't follow that same trend. According to this recent CBS story on the subject, FBI: Violent crimes fall for 4th year in row, the author explicitly states that the nation's "Law enforcement agencies are doing more with less". To me, this statement implies that many communities had actually over-staffed their police departments rather than apply better crime fighting efficiencies and techniques. This also proves that Obama's jobs plan is solely intended to save union jobs in his bid for reelection. The fact is that Obama's jobs initiative would only impede or regress the much needed and appropriate cost cutting efforts by our state and municipal governments.

This "lying" to get something passed in Congress is typical of the Democrats. With the biggest whopper being that of the ObamaCare legislation. Also, this is another example whereby our national, left-wing media "allows" a Democrat, like Joe Biden, to make remarks that are patently unfounded.