If the Dems are in power they’ll appoint the same type of people who run Democrat-controlled cities with the same result. Even if the Republicans are elected, the federal bureaucracy is now solidly left-wing and if they’re in any way involved in the supervision of DC municipal government they will frustrate a Republican Congress’s efforts at every turn.
Face the uncomfortable truth: the federal bureaucracy is fully captured by the left and will, overtly or covertly, impose a leftist agenda on everything they touch. It’s a generational challenge to eradicate the politicization of the supposedly impartial federal government.
All true. I’m still left wondering why the residents of the poor, mostly black, neighborhoods keep electing the crazy supervisors who make it impossible to control the criminals and who side with teachers over their children. Is it just ignorance? Or do too many have criminal/teacher relatives?
Insanity is supposedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I understand wealthy white NW DC liberals who are full of guilt voting for extreme leftist supervisors (like SF), but I simply can’t understand why DC blacks who experience the results of bad policy don’t reject the status quo on schools and crime. Is there mass insanity in urban black communities?
Michael, I’m totally amazed you can seriously ask this. Do you actually imagine that poor DC residents have insights into the information in this article? Where do they get their information? The media. Schools. Who owns the media and schools? Leftist elites. You don’t actually think that inner city residents are informed, do you? They are enslaved by lies. Who will speak to them? I’ll tell you. Very few. Star Parker and CURE, for one. Candice Owens. That’s about it.
LOL
funny as if rightness are informed? Guns deter gun crime? False. Vaccines dont work? There is rampant election fraud? Yes , by Republicans. D states are better than R states. Flat out lie. You guys are hilarious.
LOL
funny as if rightness are informed? Guns deter gun crime? False. Vaccines dont work? There is rampant election fraud? Yes , by Republicans. D states are better than R states. Flat out lie. You guys are hilarious.
Michael, I’m totally amazed you can seriously ask this. Do you actually imagine that poor DC residents have insights into the information in this article? Where do they get their information? The media. Schools. Who owns the media and schools? Leftist elites. You don’t actually think that inner city residents are informed, do you? They are enslaved by lies. Who will speak to them? I’ll tell you. Very few. Star Parker and CURE, for one. Candice Owens. That’s about it.
The author does not even live in DC but at his young age is an expert and preposterously proposes Federal take over of the city .
Plus no mention of the riots at the capitol ?
Then why is it D states fair so much better than R states? 9 out 10 poorest states are R states. 8 out 10 highest violent crime states are R states. Same pattern with Healthcare, education.
https://www.moneygeek.com/living/states-most-reliant-federal-government/
There are others on GDP, etc.
Also after searching through a number of sites with varying stats on red-blue murder rates. None felt quite representative, which years they chose, which cities etc. Some favored blue. Some red but marginally. Most were a muddle.
Then I found this. It focuses on per state and follows for a longer period of time. More importantly, it also hampers blue states in one methodology by taking out cities for red only. https://www.thirdway.org/report/the-two-decade-red-state-murder-problem
And still red states have more murder. Blue cities spend more on the police as a rule but also on social services, (and I presume education) so that might be the answer.
Congress totally screwed over DC’s education system and then came in and in order to fix it insisted on charter schools which is another way of defunding them for everyone else.
https://www.moneygeek.com/living/states-most-reliant-federal-government/
There are others on GDP, etc.
Also after searching through a number of sites with varying stats on red-blue murder rates. None felt quite representative, which years they chose, which cities etc. Some favored blue. Some red but marginally. Most were a muddle.
Then I found this. It focuses on per state and follows for a longer period of time. More importantly, it also hampers blue states in one methodology by taking out cities for red only. https://www.thirdway.org/report/the-two-decade-red-state-murder-problem
And still red states have more murder. Blue cities spend more on the police as a rule but also on social services, (and I presume education) so that might be the answer.
Congress totally screwed over DC’s education system and then came in and in order to fix it insisted on charter schools which is another way of defunding them for everyone else.
The problem with DC is congress actually. Congress not DC controls the pursestrings and congress controls the budgets. DC can submit the budget but it must be approved by congress and they must set the budget up to 4 years out. They are completely stymied by congress–so if they want to, let’s say legalize cannabis, they can’t unless it gets through congress (which now requires a supermajority). They are also responsible for some of what states are required to do, and unlike states are again hampered by Congress approval.
Their schools were traditionally underfunded because DC lawmakers did not send their kids to public schools. It goes on. The worst thing that could happen to DC is a federal takeover.
All true. I’m still left wondering why the residents of the poor, mostly black, neighborhoods keep electing the crazy supervisors who make it impossible to control the criminals and who side with teachers over their children. Is it just ignorance? Or do too many have criminal/teacher relatives?
Insanity is supposedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I understand wealthy white NW DC liberals who are full of guilt voting for extreme leftist supervisors (like SF), but I simply can’t understand why DC blacks who experience the results of bad policy don’t reject the status quo on schools and crime. Is there mass insanity in urban black communities?
The author does not even live in DC but at his young age is an expert and preposterously proposes Federal take over of the city .
Plus no mention of the riots at the capitol ?
Then why is it D states fair so much better than R states? 9 out 10 poorest states are R states. 8 out 10 highest violent crime states are R states. Same pattern with Healthcare, education.
The problem with DC is congress actually. Congress not DC controls the pursestrings and congress controls the budgets. DC can submit the budget but it must be approved by congress and they must set the budget up to 4 years out. They are completely stymied by congress–so if they want to, let’s say legalize cannabis, they can’t unless it gets through congress (which now requires a supermajority). They are also responsible for some of what states are required to do, and unlike states are again hampered by Congress approval.
Their schools were traditionally underfunded because DC lawmakers did not send their kids to public schools. It goes on. The worst thing that could happen to DC is a federal takeover.
If the Dems are in power they’ll appoint the same type of people who run Democrat-controlled cities with the same result. Even if the Republicans are elected, the federal bureaucracy is now solidly left-wing and if they’re in any way involved in the supervision of DC municipal government they will frustrate a Republican Congress’s efforts at every turn.
Face the uncomfortable truth: the federal bureaucracy is fully captured by the left and will, overtly or covertly, impose a leftist agenda on everything they touch. It’s a generational challenge to eradicate the politicization of the supposedly impartial federal government.
Marcus Leach
1 year ago
I was intrigued at the author’s assertion that saying that the people get what they voted for was ‘smug dismissal’, but it never came.
DC has been run by Democrats since the passing of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973. Every mayor has been a Democrat, the 8 wards have always voted in a Democrat. The elected mayors have ranged from of out and out crooks (Marion Barry) to general incompetents.
DC’s problems, like those of other Democrat run cities, are the result of the voters repeatedly voting in Democat governance despite its record of abject failure. When voters in Chicago finally booted out the useless,”progressive’ and ridiculous mayor, Lori Lightfoot, they instead voted in Brandon Johnson who, astoundigly, is even worse than Lightfoot.
DC’s voters are predominantly black and Leftist ‘progressives, many of whom are bureacrats and other government workers. These people repeatedly vote Democrat because they are either too stupid, too politically tribal or gain financially The only way these people are going to stop voting Democrat is by making them face the consequences of their choices.
The same pattern exists in UK cities where for generations the populations have voted Labour and wonder why things don’t change. it is third world politics with every new administration focusing as a priority on getting their nose in the trough and seeking out opportunities for corruption
It is a rather ridiculous comparison, as usual made by people who can see almost no differences between the US and the UK; both extreme Right and Left insisting there are not.
For one thing, here we can often rely on the supposedly right of centre Conservatives to be cutting police budgets. There is simply no meaningful comparison between Washington DC and any British city, one of which, London, I live in.
That was rather a ridiculous comment. Look at the history of places such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent that have elected Labour councils for generations
That was rather a ridiculous comment. Look at the history of places such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent that have elected Labour councils for generations
It is a rather ridiculous comparison, as usual made by people who can see almost no differences between the US and the UK; both extreme Right and Left insisting there are not.
For one thing, here we can often rely on the supposedly right of centre Conservatives to be cutting police budgets. There is simply no meaningful comparison between Washington DC and any British city, one of which, London, I live in.
Clare- You can’t run a functioning government with a primarily socialist perspective. You might need 5% socialists to check the rest but you get past that threshold it’s just weaponized government failure.
Clare- You can’t run a functioning government with a primarily socialist perspective. You might need 5% socialists to check the rest but you get past that threshold it’s just weaponized government failure.
The same pattern exists in UK cities where for generations the populations have voted Labour and wonder why things don’t change. it is third world politics with every new administration focusing as a priority on getting their nose in the trough and seeking out opportunities for corruption
Sure put the blacks in DC under Federal control.
Sounds like a nice white solution.
Marcus Leach
1 year ago
I was intrigued at the author’s assertion that saying that the people get what they voted for was ‘smug dismissal’, but it never came.
DC has been run by Democrats since the passing of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973. Every mayor has been a Democrat, the 8 wards have always voted in a Democrat. The elected mayors have ranged from of out and out crooks (Marion Barry) to general incompetents.
DC’s problems, like those of other Democrat run cities, are the result of the voters repeatedly voting in Democat governance despite its record of abject failure. When voters in Chicago finally booted out the useless,”progressive’ and ridiculous mayor, Lori Lightfoot, they instead voted in Brandon Johnson who, astoundigly, is even worse than Lightfoot.
DC’s voters are predominantly black and Leftist ‘progressives, many of whom are bureacrats and other government workers. These people repeatedly vote Democrat because they are either too stupid, too politically tribal or gain financially The only way these people are going to stop voting Democrat is by making them face the consequences of their choices.
Last edited 1 year ago by Marcus Leach
N Satori
1 year ago
Would it be terribly far-right of me to draw attention to the briefly mentioned fact (13th paragraph) that the population of Washington DC is 45% black? Odd that John Masko mentions this fact merely to draw attention to the number of victims of gun crime. Perpetrators? Read between the lines.
That is untrue and I think you know it. While you’ve identified a subset of the problem, more of the crime is committed by very white, if sun-damaged men and often enough women who “happen to be” homeless drug addicts.
Your reply to my second comment seems to have disappeared. When I attempted to reply to your reply I was blocked by reCaptcha!
All this IT disruption gets in the way of sensible discussion.
It’s happened to me several times. Often when they are heavily downvoted, perhaps flagged by other users. Or with use of certain infamous names or loaded terms from history. Once you’ve had a comment “quarantined”, additional comments on the same board are unlikely to get published right away, during the probationary period. They typically reappear after a 12-hour timeout, but not always.
The editorial policy is opaque, so none of this is certain, but I have seen and been in discussions with many other commenters whose combined input helps flesh out the “unwritten UnHerd charter”. Overall, I think the site runs a good middle path between heavy suppression and abuse-filled free-for-all, but the rules are not made public.
It’s happened to me several times. Often when they are heavily downvoted, perhaps flagged by other users. Or with use of certain infamous names or loaded terms from history. Once you’ve had a comment “quarantined”, additional comments on the same board are unlikely to get published right away, during the probationary period. They typically reappear after a 12-hour timeout, but not always.
The editorial policy is opaque, so none of this is certain, but I have seen and been in discussions with many other commenters whose combined input helps flesh out the “unwritten UnHerd charter”. Overall, I think the site runs a good middle path between heavy suppression and abuse-filled free-for-all, but the rules are not made public.
Your reply to my second comment seems to have disappeared. When I attempted to reply to your reply I was blocked by reCaptcha!
All this IT disruption gets in the way of sensible discussion.
That is untrue and I think you know it. While you’ve identified a subset of the problem, more of the crime is committed by very white, if sun-damaged men and often enough women who “happen to be” homeless drug addicts.
You really think that settles the argument AJ Mac?
Oh well, try this troublesome fact from recent history: back in 2010 The Daily Telegraph used the Freedom of Information act to press the London Metropolitan Police to release crime data it had been withholding. That data showed that for the period 2009-2010, with London’s black population at just over 10% of the total, over 50% of males who committed street crimes, robberies and gun crimes in that period were black. Note: it required an FOI request to have that data made public â presumably because the figures didn’t sit well with the cheery pro-multicultural stance of our establishment. Violent crime in London’s black communities continues to grow.
For some good dissident number crunching on this issue as it applies in the US you might try reading Steve Sailer’s column and blog â or would that jar with your Left-liberal sensibilities?
How much of that disproportionate criminality is removed by adjusting for income? That is: Don’t poor whites commit far more crime than rich ones, and do prosperous blacks commit a ton of serious crime? I’m not saying that excuses anyone’s crimes, nor that income or background related adjustments would remove ALL disparity.
And of course the argument isn’t settled. I’m just trying to assess how far your racial emphasis extends when it comes to criminality.
I’ll accept your label of Left-liberal as close enough for comment board purposes though I like to think I’m a bit more nuanced and complex than that–many of us are, or insist on believing so. Right now I’d “self-identify as” a centre-left extreme moderate, with too much of a radical contrarian streak. A bit long and self-important, I recognize.
I think your observations are defeated by looking to the extremely poor immigrants to New York from 1875-1927. They lived in housing not much better than the favelas outside Rio, their schools were mediocre, discrimination against them was nearly identical to that against blacks and even worse in some fields — and no air conditioning! Yet their crime rates were dramatically below that of any selected black neighborhood in the modern US.
One other thing — oddly, before the Civil Rights laws in the 60s and the literally hundreds of billions invested in blacks, their crime rates were much lower.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We might have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago for all sorts of reasons, the increased availability of stuff to covet and drugs being among them. But I don’t see much attempt to justify some of the sweeping statements on here.
The discrimination against white populations in the US has never been anything like as intense as against the black population, obviously including Jim Crow laws.
This is simply not true and you are comparing apples and oranges. Black is a racial category, Hispanic is not. Hispanic people may be of any race or a mixture of multiple races. If you look at crime rates in âHispanicâ countries, your comments are easily disproven. Compare predominately white Uruguay to the Dominican Republic, for instance. Or compare the Dominican Republic to neighbouring and more predominately black Haiti. Non-Hispanic but predominately black Guyana and Belize both have higher rates of violent crime than many Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The same is true for non-Hispanic countries outside the Americas (like South Africa and PNG) and the mostly English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. It is an uncomfortable truth that crime rates in the Americas tend to be higher in areas with larger populations of African descent. Brazil and the countries surrounding the Caribbean basin, where African populations are most concentrated, tend to have much higher rates of violent crime. There are, of course, many reasons and many factors at play. But it is simply dishonest to deny the racial correlation.
QED then. For a “scientific” racist, that is. Let’s say we were to fully accept your hardline racializations. What then? Putting a million black men in prison didn’t solve things in the States. Will 10 million be enough?
Thatâs quite a leap! As I said, there are many factors at play. Analysis based on one single data point (such as race) isnât especially illuminating. For instance, Blacks also have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and end stage renal failure. Those are also complex problems to address with many causes, not all rooted in race. But denying the existence of racial differences and tossing about accusations of racism wonât help anyone. Quite the opposite, it impedes the pursuit of concrete solutions. As for putting people of any colour or sex in prison, that strikes me as entirely appropriate if they have committed the relevant crime.
It’s not tossed out. It is well-earned. You reveal a deeply racialized worldview. And you propose no solutions, but soul-deep generalities based on skin or phenotype. How is that anything other than racist? You may think your carefully gathered and selected evidence and totalizing, reductive conclusions merely make you a soothsayer, but I don’t. Now I don’t say this is all you are, but I stand by it: You are some version of a hardcore racist. I’d like you to persuade me that I’m wrong if you can.
It’s not tossed out. It is well-earned. You reveal a deeply racialized worldview. And you propose no solutions, but soul-deep generalities based on skin or phenotype. How is that anything other than racist? You may think your carefully gathered and selected evidence and totalizing, reductive conclusions merely make you a soothsayer, but I don’t. Now I don’t say this is all you are, but I stand by it: You are some version of a hardcore racist. I’d like you to persuade me that I’m wrong if you can.
Thatâs quite a leap! As I said, there are many factors at play. Analysis based on one single data point (such as race) isnât especially illuminating. For instance, Blacks also have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and end stage renal failure. Those are also complex problems to address with many causes, not all rooted in race. But denying the existence of racial differences and tossing about accusations of racism wonât help anyone. Quite the opposite, it impedes the pursuit of concrete solutions. As for putting people of any colour or sex in prison, that strikes me as entirely appropriate if they have committed the relevant crime.
QED then. For a “scientific” racist, that is. Let’s say we were to fully accept your hardline racializations. What then? Putting a million black men in prison didn’t solve things in the States. Will 10 million be enough?
This is simply not true and you are comparing apples and oranges. Black is a racial category, Hispanic is not. Hispanic people may be of any race or a mixture of multiple races. If you look at crime rates in âHispanicâ countries, your comments are easily disproven. Compare predominately white Uruguay to the Dominican Republic, for instance. Or compare the Dominican Republic to neighbouring and more predominately black Haiti. Non-Hispanic but predominately black Guyana and Belize both have higher rates of violent crime than many Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The same is true for non-Hispanic countries outside the Americas (like South Africa and PNG) and the mostly English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. It is an uncomfortable truth that crime rates in the Americas tend to be higher in areas with larger populations of African descent. Brazil and the countries surrounding the Caribbean basin, where African populations are most concentrated, tend to have much higher rates of violent crime. There are, of course, many reasons and many factors at play. But it is simply dishonest to deny the racial correlation.
It’s quite ludicrous to claim that lower-class whites or darker southern European groups faced “nearly identical” discrimination to just-emancipated blacks. As a mostly Irish-descended North American, I know my ancestors faced exclusion and bigotry, but not of an equivalent sort.
Your comparison between 100-150 years ago and now–devoid of all context except race–is also an embarrassment. You ought to be embarrassed.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We might have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago for all sorts of reasons, the increased availability of stuff to covet and drugs being among them. But I don’t see much attempt to justify some of the sweeping statements on here.
The discrimination against white populations in the US has never been anything like as intense as against the black population, obviously including Jim Crow laws.
It’s quite ludicrous to claim that lower-class whites or darker southern European groups faced “nearly identical” discrimination to just-emancipated blacks. As a mostly Irish-descended North American, I know my ancestors faced exclusion and bigotry, but not of an equivalent sort.
Your comparison between 100-150 years ago and now–devoid of all context except race–is also an embarrassment. You ought to be embarrassed.
“a centre-left extreme moderate”
My kind of guy. But I put it to you brother that it’s time to end the age of Political Correctness. No matter how one slices and dices and spins and massages and trims the data, the fact is that Black criminality is something like 4X that of Whites — taking the broadest view. We hate to say it, don’t we? We want to explain it away. It is outside the Overton Window to mention it. It must be Whitey’s fault! We both wish it was our fault, don’t we? Alas, reality intrudes — it isn’t. Time for frankness, I think. Wishful thinking is nice, but it doesn’t solve problems. The Emperor is naked.
Ok. Let’s say your estimate is accurate (and I think it’s high, look at Appalachia and other very poor and under-schooled white communities). What now? I agree that we should be able to say the numbers and even draw our own conclusions, which should not then be dismissed nor preemptively discredited as bigoted.
But shouldn’t we still avoid racialized generalities, since they are a blunt, messy instrument that misses and wrongly group associates millions of people? I don’t accept a racial, ethnic, or national hierarchy of morality or conduct, though some countries in Europe produce more serious criminals per-thousand than others. Large groups have differing average traits, and while it’s valid to point that out, such averages are not a reliable guide, let alone some window into individual hearts and minds.
I also dislike the hyperbolic claim, for example, that all the Founding Fathers were slave owners or that America is founded only on racist practices or hypocritical principles. Far from it. I also reject “Whitey made me do it” excuses for bad behavior or personal failures. I endorse most of the views I hear Professor Glenn Loury espouse about black America: Yes there is some disadvantage and reduced-but-remaining bigotry, but that is not some insurmountable obstacle, and certainly not any proper excuse to fail or follow a wicked path, especially in today’s America.
However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.
Excellent exposition.
There have been attempts in recent days to try to push out of debates those capable of a more nuanced viewpoint. Naturally, that’s not going to happen.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We probably have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago, for many reasons, but I doubt the genetic deficiency of black people is one of them.
When I was living in the US, a Nigerian colleague moved from a very posh (central and multiracial neighbourhood) to a more distant, predominately Asian-American suburb. When I questioned her choice (a puzzling downgrade in my view), her reply used language that made me blush. A certain word beginning with ânâ was spat out with venom. She simply didnât want her children growing up around African Americans. In this case, I think class was a major factor. As a wealthy Oxford-educated African, she looked down on Americans and American culture
When I was living in the US, a Nigerian colleague moved from a very posh (central and multiracial neighbourhood) to a more distant, predominately Asian-American suburb. When I questioned her choice (a puzzling downgrade in my view), her reply used language that made me blush. A certain word beginning with ânâ was spat out with venom. She simply didnât want her children growing up around African Americans. In this case, I think class was a major factor. As a wealthy Oxford-educated African, she looked down on Americans and American culture
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We probably have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago, for many reasons, but I doubt the genetic deficiency of black people is one of them.
“However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.”
You’re obviously making a good faith effort here, but this is ridiculous and if you genuinely believe it, you completely misunderstand what you’re arguing against. I seriously doubt any Unherd readers actually believe that there’s something in the melanin that makes one race more or less criminal than another â and even less likely that any such demographic correlations give us any reliable evidence about any specific person in any particular race.
What’s being argued is something else altogether â namely, (a) some cultures are better than others at creating flourishing, healthy societies and (b) there are racial correlations with different cultures. Is it permissible to say “this way of living is better than that way”? And if that is permissible, then which ways we should be promoting? And should we bite our tongues because the ways we should promote are more likely to be found among one racial community than another? Or should we endeavor to make sure they are well represented in all races?
I strongly disagree with your assessment. The argument you sketch is one I don’t object to in and of itself. Many are taking it much further and I know from previous, detailed exchanges that some here are racial supremacists or ethnic-hierarchy proponents. A matter-of-fact comment that began “white supremacist here” once received dozens of upvotes. Read all of the posts on this board and tell me no one here is arguing for the innate, heightened criminality of black people.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been around these boards, but a sizable minority of the race-related views expressed are less benign or well-meant than your characterization. Which is fine to a degree, people are entitled to those views too, repugnant as they are to most. But sometimes I make an effort to push against the more reasonable or borderline versions of such views, usually to a measure of outrage and sometimes to insults.
I made no argument about numerical demographic hiring by color or other demographic traits nor about attempts to engineer equality of outcome (rather than opportunity) among diverse populations and individuals. I don’t support those things. Please don’t connect me with every view you might think “someone like me” also has when I haven’t expressed that view. And I’ll will continue to try and return the favor.
Sometimes I haven’t honored good conversational ethics, becoming unduly contentious, sarcastic, or presenting a strawman parody of an interlocutor’s perspective. (I did some of that in my first post early this morning, which is now quite deservedly quarantined). But when that happens I make an effort to fess up and do better next time.
Here’s one thing I think nearly all of us here can agree on: The no-forgiveness, no-redemption policy typical of hardline Wokeness is wrongheaded and hardhearted, whether it emerges from the hard left or from elsewhere along the so-called political spectrum, which it sometimes does.
Fair enough â you think more people here are genuine old-fashioned KKK-type racists than I do. I guess we’ll have to keep reading to find out.
That said… it is pretty easy to conflate ‘old fashioned’ racists with people ‘brave enough to call a spade a spade.’ We’d have to look at some specific examples to really figure out who was who.
Fair enough â you think more people here are genuine old-fashioned KKK-type racists than I do. I guess we’ll have to keep reading to find out.
That said… it is pretty easy to conflate ‘old fashioned’ racists with people ‘brave enough to call a spade a spade.’ We’d have to look at some specific examples to really figure out who was who.
Amazed you have no likes yet. Yes, some problematic cultures are associated with race/ethnicity, however race in and of itself is not predictive of bad culture. Culture comes first.
It’s baffling that lesser cultures–an objective measurement?–don’t all want to imitate the West. We have so much to teach them. Too bad we haven’t learned our own professed lessons yet. Let’s judge ourselves on our ideals, while judging Them on their shortcomings.
It’s baffling that lesser cultures–an objective measurement?–don’t all want to imitate the West. We have so much to teach them. Too bad we haven’t learned our own professed lessons yet. Let’s judge ourselves on our ideals, while judging Them on their shortcomings.
I strongly disagree with your assessment. The argument you sketch is one I don’t object to in and of itself. Many are taking it much further and I know from previous, detailed exchanges that some here are racial supremacists or ethnic-hierarchy proponents. A matter-of-fact comment that began “white supremacist here” once received dozens of upvotes. Read all of the posts on this board and tell me no one here is arguing for the innate, heightened criminality of black people.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been around these boards, but a sizable minority of the race-related views expressed are less benign or well-meant than your characterization. Which is fine to a degree, people are entitled to those views too, repugnant as they are to most. But sometimes I make an effort to push against the more reasonable or borderline versions of such views, usually to a measure of outrage and sometimes to insults.
I made no argument about numerical demographic hiring by color or other demographic traits nor about attempts to engineer equality of outcome (rather than opportunity) among diverse populations and individuals. I don’t support those things. Please don’t connect me with every view you might think “someone like me” also has when I haven’t expressed that view. And I’ll will continue to try and return the favor.
Sometimes I haven’t honored good conversational ethics, becoming unduly contentious, sarcastic, or presenting a strawman parody of an interlocutor’s perspective. (I did some of that in my first post early this morning, which is now quite deservedly quarantined). But when that happens I make an effort to fess up and do better next time.
Here’s one thing I think nearly all of us here can agree on: The no-forgiveness, no-redemption policy typical of hardline Wokeness is wrongheaded and hardhearted, whether it emerges from the hard left or from elsewhere along the so-called political spectrum, which it sometimes does.
Amazed you have no likes yet. Yes, some problematic cultures are associated with race/ethnicity, however race in and of itself is not predictive of bad culture. Culture comes first.
Nice post. IMO people are confusing class issues with racial issues. Iâm pretty sure immigrant Nigerians are some of the highest income earners in America. I donât think thereâs a bunch of crime committed by middle class black people. Itâs poor people living in crappy neighborhoods committing crimes, whether itâs the south side of Chicago or Appalachia.
Excellent exposition.
There have been attempts in recent days to try to push out of debates those capable of a more nuanced viewpoint. Naturally, that’s not going to happen.
“However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.”
You’re obviously making a good faith effort here, but this is ridiculous and if you genuinely believe it, you completely misunderstand what you’re arguing against. I seriously doubt any Unherd readers actually believe that there’s something in the melanin that makes one race more or less criminal than another â and even less likely that any such demographic correlations give us any reliable evidence about any specific person in any particular race.
What’s being argued is something else altogether â namely, (a) some cultures are better than others at creating flourishing, healthy societies and (b) there are racial correlations with different cultures. Is it permissible to say “this way of living is better than that way”? And if that is permissible, then which ways we should be promoting? And should we bite our tongues because the ways we should promote are more likely to be found among one racial community than another? Or should we endeavor to make sure they are well represented in all races?
Nice post. IMO people are confusing class issues with racial issues. Iâm pretty sure immigrant Nigerians are some of the highest income earners in America. I donât think thereâs a bunch of crime committed by middle class black people. Itâs poor people living in crappy neighborhoods committing crimes, whether itâs the south side of Chicago or Appalachia.
But at the same time the Right often at the same time cite Muslims as perpetrating most crime in Europe eg Sweden. Racial ‘explanations’ are poor explanations.
Well a son of Indian or Pakistani muslim aristocrat whose family has been educated in British public schools, Sandhurst and universities for generations is unlikely to be a criminal or support Islamic Terrorists.
My Father played cricket in Pakistan in the 1960s, the captain was a general who had fought in WW2. He considered the British Army had become sloppy and he said he maintained standards of the pre 1947 Indian Army.
The upper class Arabs whose society produced Omar Sharif; spoke English and French fluently and were educated at the Sorbonne, Oxford and Cambridge.
However, those from North Africa and especially those hardened in the Algerian civil war of 1991 to 2002 are very different.
Well a son of Indian or Pakistani muslim aristocrat whose family has been educated in British public schools, Sandhurst and universities for generations is unlikely to be a criminal or support Islamic Terrorists.
My Father played cricket in Pakistan in the 1960s, the captain was a general who had fought in WW2. He considered the British Army had become sloppy and he said he maintained standards of the pre 1947 Indian Army.
The upper class Arabs whose society produced Omar Sharif; spoke English and French fluently and were educated at the Sorbonne, Oxford and Cambridge.
However, those from North Africa and especially those hardened in the Algerian civil war of 1991 to 2002 are very different.
Ok. Let’s say your estimate is accurate (and I think it’s high, look at Appalachia and other very poor and under-schooled white communities). What now? I agree that we should be able to say the numbers and even draw our own conclusions, which should not then be dismissed nor preemptively discredited as bigoted.
But shouldn’t we still avoid racialized generalities, since they are a blunt, messy instrument that misses and wrongly group associates millions of people? I don’t accept a racial, ethnic, or national hierarchy of morality or conduct, though some countries in Europe produce more serious criminals per-thousand than others. Large groups have differing average traits, and while it’s valid to point that out, such averages are not a reliable guide, let alone some window into individual hearts and minds.
I also dislike the hyperbolic claim, for example, that all the Founding Fathers were slave owners or that America is founded only on racist practices or hypocritical principles. Far from it. I also reject “Whitey made me do it” excuses for bad behavior or personal failures. I endorse most of the views I hear Professor Glenn Loury espouse about black America: Yes there is some disadvantage and reduced-but-remaining bigotry, but that is not some insurmountable obstacle, and certainly not any proper excuse to fail or follow a wicked path, especially in today’s America.
However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.
But at the same time the Right often at the same time cite Muslims as perpetrating most crime in Europe eg Sweden. Racial ‘explanations’ are poor explanations.
I think your observations are defeated by looking to the extremely poor immigrants to New York from 1875-1927. They lived in housing not much better than the favelas outside Rio, their schools were mediocre, discrimination against them was nearly identical to that against blacks and even worse in some fields — and no air conditioning! Yet their crime rates were dramatically below that of any selected black neighborhood in the modern US.
One other thing — oddly, before the Civil Rights laws in the 60s and the literally hundreds of billions invested in blacks, their crime rates were much lower.
“a centre-left extreme moderate”
My kind of guy. But I put it to you brother that it’s time to end the age of Political Correctness. No matter how one slices and dices and spins and massages and trims the data, the fact is that Black criminality is something like 4X that of Whites — taking the broadest view. We hate to say it, don’t we? We want to explain it away. It is outside the Overton Window to mention it. It must be Whitey’s fault! We both wish it was our fault, don’t we? Alas, reality intrudes — it isn’t. Time for frankness, I think. Wishful thinking is nice, but it doesn’t solve problems. The Emperor is naked.
This is true. But also the common denominator in “people who rush into burning buildings to save strangers’ lives” and “people who win Nobel prizes” and “people who write the world’s best operas.” Isn’t it common knowledge that the bell curve for men is flatter than the bell curve for women, so we get more geniuses and heroes, but also more dunces and villains?
This is true. But also the common denominator in “people who rush into burning buildings to save strangers’ lives” and “people who win Nobel prizes” and “people who write the world’s best operas.” Isn’t it common knowledge that the bell curve for men is flatter than the bell curve for women, so we get more geniuses and heroes, but also more dunces and villains?
How much of that disproportionate criminality is removed by adjusting for income? That is: Don’t poor whites commit far more crime than rich ones, and do prosperous blacks commit a ton of serious crime? I’m not saying that excuses anyone’s crimes, nor that income or background related adjustments would remove ALL disparity.
And of course the argument isn’t settled. I’m just trying to assess how far your racial emphasis extends when it comes to criminality.
I’ll accept your label of Left-liberal as close enough for comment board purposes though I like to think I’m a bit more nuanced and complex than that–many of us are, or insist on believing so. Right now I’d “self-identify as” a centre-left extreme moderate, with too much of a radical contrarian streak. A bit long and self-important, I recognize.
The way to murder rates is the international method of murders per 100,000 of the population. List of cities by homicide rate – Wikipedia
The next questions are where do wealthy members of the Democrat Party live, how secure are their homes and where do they send their children to school?
Even in inner city areas there can be pockets of affluent very secure homes, a few hundred metres away from violence stricken housing. The Georgian Terraces of Islington are very pleasant and Labour MPs manage to get their children into DAO which used to be in the borough and is now in affluent Potters Bar. Dame Alice Owen’s School â Founded 1613 (damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk)
The reality is that one can obtain a high salary and pension, paid for by the taxpayer in a city working for the state, yet crime soars and educational standards collapse
I would have more time for Democrat/labour members if they lived in the most violent areas and sent their children to the worse schools.
The murder rate can hide much. Often crime is found within a few blocks. An example is Chicago; there are few murders within the university yet other areas have 7 times more than other areas. Crime in Chicago – Wikipedia
At Independence, Ceylon was poor, they could not afford to fund health and education. They chose education. The teacher carried a blackboard and cycled between villages. The school was under the large tree, the children were barefoot yet some obtained 7 O Levels including Latin. A similar story for South India( Kerala), Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The slums created because of rapid industrialisation during the Napoleonic Wars meant that conditions were horrendous. Bradford went from 6,000 in 1800 to120,000 in 1850s yet through the hard work of many conditions were improved.
The issue for the West is that we have turned away from self improvement as supported by Keir Hardie, Booker T Washington, Churchill, J Kennedy and Dr M L King. In the 1960s the Democrat and Labour Party gave up on The Bible, especially Proverbs, as preached by Non Conformist, Methodist and Baptists and took up Cultural Marxism as promoted by the Frankfurt School, Gramsci, Saul Alinsky, Herbert Marcuse and post Modernist Marxists.
If one reads Proverbs, words used frequently are : wisdom, instruction,well- instructed intelligence, righteousness, justice, probity, shrewdness, knowledge, aquire skill, fools scorn wisdom and discipline, avoid criminals, etc.
In the 1960s Motown had a teacher of etiquette now much rap glorifies gang violence and contempt for women. The murders of J Kennedy, Dr M L king and R Kennedy enabled the cultural marxists to take over the Democratic Party and the results are there to be seen.
I usually like your posts, and this one no exception, but you have a consistent blind spot. Nostalgia is not as good as it used to be, The ever-so-better past age you celebrate never quite existed in the way you frame it
Thank you . I never say the past is good: I say lets learn from it. Humans are much the same as they were when Sumer created the first civilisation 5500 years ago and their subsequent rise and fall show similarities which has been noted by Ibn Khaldun, Arnold Toynbee, C Northcote Parkinson and John Glubb. TOP 24 QUOTES BY IBN KHALDUN | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
The USA shows much similarities to Rome post 350 AD.
There is a phrase in boxing ” Train hard, fight easy”. Since the 1960s the middle and upper class have wanted success by training easy and we can see the results.
Alexander the Great had his mind tempered by Aristotle and his bod tempered in the gymnasium which would have included pankration. What of those who attend the wealthiest universites in the West ?
I respect that. You always have something of substance to offer-wish I could claim that for myself–and some recommendations of interest too. I strongly agree that at some fundamental level we are largely unchanged since Whenever.
I don’t have total faith in your rugby and rough-play approach to social, physical, and mental health, but it certainly could only help. And at least you are proposing a remedy instead of indulging in catastrophe-talk or lamentations about the kids, politicians, etc. these days.
Thank you. Reading Orwell was a revelation; he showed character influenced politics. Birds of a feather flock together. or as the feminists say ” The personal is the political “.The Devil provides mischief for idle hands.
When adult politicians are desperate to show their fitness it is absurd; they should be able to point to their ohysical achievements pre thirties.
If young people are pushed physically, mentally and artistically so they are exhausted by the evenings they will not cause mischief. Fit, skilled people who can find interesting and well paid work tend be cheerful and are of benefit to society. I think many of the problems which are written about on Unherd are because people are unfilled on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
I mostly agree with that. (Am I through the looking glass now?). Material conditions are often dwarfed in importance by health, purpose, and a sense of belonging. If wholesome belonging is not available, people will find malignant versions of community.
As to physical hardihood–now or then–in a politician? A plus, not a need. Henry VIII was an impressive athlete as a young man, as was Gerald Ford. James Madison was something of a tiny weakling (5″ 3′), but an impressive statesman.
What benefits society is not always apparent to at first glance, or in the short run. I think the writings of Orwell and William Blake provide net social (and other) benefits, but few of their contemporaries would have called them “useful”. Nor is value, as you know, reducible to mere use.
It is not size, it is spirit which manifests through a person being innovative and displaying fortitude by which a person becomes resileint, robust and resolute in body and mind. Nelson being a good example of innovation and fortitude though being small.
Orwell , as did Kipling, respected practical people, who undertook constructive work.
I think there is something which enriches the soul when one can point to constructive work one has achieved and the lack of constructive activity is soul destroying.
Proversb 1.5 the man of understanding will aquire skill.
The ability to undertake hard contact sports so one can thrive on the rough and tumble of life; train one’s mind to aquire knowledge, reason aquire skill; produces a person secure in their knowledge they can support themselves and defend themselves intellectually and physically. This produces a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually refined, resilient,robust, balanced and grounded person who finds any extremism as rather absurd.
Nazism, Communism, Islamicism and Wokism are attractive to the insecure, inadequate and those with inferiority complexes.
In short the Renaissance Gentleman and Lady can securely smile with amusement on the antics of extremists, who know not to push their luck with them because they can defend themselves.
Since 1945, how much noise and activity is due to people being “Empty vessels?” Name one figure since 1945 who could be said to manifest the Renaissance person ?
Again, I largely agree but you’re overselling it by quite a bit. Some rugby players, boxers, American football players, etc. are quite brutal and dull-witted, I think rather more so for their undue emphasis on “hard contact” and physical dominance. Literal brain injury frequently occurs. And some men of diminutive stature have a so-called Napoleon complex.
Probably unfair of me to call James Madison “a weakling” as he was generally in good health and lived to be 85 (1751-1836). It’s fair to point out that he had about 100 slaves to do his much of the rough and dirty work for him though.
I’m glad to have worked in the family construction business and to have played competitive sports, though not the roughest kind. I was pretty good though I peaked as a competitive athlete around age 12-14, in baseball and what we Americans call “soccer”. I’ve been in several fist fights, both as a child and adult, largely occasioned by running my mouth (imagine that) or getting so enraged that those who aren’t intimidated are sometimes provoked themselves. (As an adult, drinking was often a factor too). I guess those experiences were “character building”, but pointless and regrettable too. I do know that I can take, and sometimes throw, a good punch.
I don’t think Renaissance men were common in any era, but I’d nominate the American songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson (born 1936). He played college rugby and (US) football at a standout level and was an elite pilot in the Army. He also published short stories in the Atlantic as a teen, was a Rhodes Scholar (winning a “Blue” for boxing while at Oxford). All this in addition to his more famous calling as a successful songwriter (“Me and Bobby McGhee, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Help Me Make it Through the Night”, etc.), one highly admired by fellow musicians. And, I’ll admit, he’s just an ok film actor. To see him, especially as a younger man, you’d think he was a rugged and plainspoken guy, which for the most part he is.
I certainly think adolescent boys or young men should know how to swing a hammer, kick a ball, and throw a punch (if it comes to that), but there’s no arm wrestling Pulitzer or track-and-field portion of the Nobel Prize.
And where do girls and women fit into this, if at all? I mean this as a real question. I admit it seems wrong for most of them to box, but a more robust physical health wouldn’t hurt, especially among these ever-more-indoor younger generations.
I agree that the worst “isms” attract unfit and neurotic people, but not only. Their ranks are filled out by strong and highly conditioned young people who carry out the commands of the sickly weirdos in charge, with their inferiority complexes that have mutated into megalomania.
There are some kind, courageous, and well-adjusted people who were never well-conditioned or strong in body. And not every physical weakling becomes a basket case or vengeful neurotic. (Please excuse this extra long post. I always appreciate these exchanges).
I appreciate your posts. What is important is to be secure in the knowledge with one’s abilities and resist the siren calls of extremism.
I never said contact sports on their own, I said the mind and the body has to be tempered. This way one can defend one’s position intellectually and physically and ridicule the calls of the extremists.
The girls public schools were physically tough, especially the boarding ones, ; cold dorms, ballet, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and swimming.
If one looks at the French Revolution, Russian, Nazis and Iranian , intellectuals persuaded thugs to use their liking for violence for a politcal cause, hence the murders.
The sports field is great leveller. It is difficult to look down on others when one is covered in freezing cold mud and one has been tackled by two others and wondering if there are any broken bones. Then shaking hands with those one has played against and drinking with them to show there are no hard feelings means one does not hold a grudge.
British public and grammar used to train the mind and the body. Often each sport would have three to four teams which would play other schools and then there were the house teams. Consequently, everyone played sport whether they liked it it not. Universities would take take people who played sport preferentially over those who did not. The ultimate accolade was to earn a colours and first or even a double colours , say rugby and cricket.
Someone who is cheerful, has a sense of humour, is resilient and robust both physically and mentally, is emotionally stable and can enjoy the rough and tumble of life is unlikely to have an inferiority complex, be resentful, spiteful and sly. Consequently it is very difficult to be manipulated by extremists but can also defeat them intellectually and physically. In short, an immune system which defeats extremism.
I would suggest extremism is a pathogen which can only take over the body politic when the immune system is weak.
I like all of that, Charles. I would only suggest that you might be making too general an extrapolation based on your own moderate and robust makeup (according to my estimate). Some elite athletes are extremists, either in on-field meanness that extends to off-hours or political activism.
But not many. You know I like to find exceptions, most of which don’t undermine the general validity of your claims, including: mens sana in corpore sano
I like all of that, Charles. I would only suggest that you might be making too general an extrapolation based on your own moderate and robust makeup (according to my estimate). Some elite athletes are extremists, either in on-field meanness that extends to off-hours or political activism.
But not many. You know I like to find exceptions, most of which don’t undermine the general validity of your claims, including: mens sana in corpore sano
I appreciate your posts. What is important is to be secure in the knowledge with one’s abilities and resist the siren calls of extremism.
I never said contact sports on their own, I said the mind and the body has to be tempered. This way one can defend one’s position intellectually and physically and ridicule the calls of the extremists.
The girls public schools were physically tough, especially the boarding ones, ; cold dorms, ballet, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and swimming.
If one looks at the French Revolution, Russian, Nazis and Iranian , intellectuals persuaded thugs to use their liking for violence for a politcal cause, hence the murders.
The sports field is great leveller. It is difficult to look down on others when one is covered in freezing cold mud and one has been tackled by two others and wondering if there are any broken bones. Then shaking hands with those one has played against and drinking with them to show there are no hard feelings means one does not hold a grudge.
British public and grammar used to train the mind and the body. Often each sport would have three to four teams which would play other schools and then there were the house teams. Consequently, everyone played sport whether they liked it it not. Universities would take take people who played sport preferentially over those who did not. The ultimate accolade was to earn a colours and first or even a double colours , say rugby and cricket.
Someone who is cheerful, has a sense of humour, is resilient and robust both physically and mentally, is emotionally stable and can enjoy the rough and tumble of life is unlikely to have an inferiority complex, be resentful, spiteful and sly. Consequently it is very difficult to be manipulated by extremists but can also defeat them intellectually and physically. In short, an immune system which defeats extremism.
I would suggest extremism is a pathogen which can only take over the body politic when the immune system is weak.
Again, I largely agree but you’re overselling it by quite a bit. Some rugby players, boxers, American football players, etc. are quite brutal and dull-witted, I think rather more so for their undue emphasis on “hard contact” and physical dominance. Literal brain injury frequently occurs. And some men of diminutive stature have a so-called Napoleon complex.
Probably unfair of me to call James Madison “a weakling” as he was generally in good health and lived to be 85 (1751-1836). It’s fair to point out that he had about 100 slaves to do his much of the rough and dirty work for him though.
I’m glad to have worked in the family construction business and to have played competitive sports, though not the roughest kind. I was pretty good though I peaked as a competitive athlete around age 12-14, in baseball and what we Americans call “soccer”. I’ve been in several fist fights, both as a child and adult, largely occasioned by running my mouth (imagine that) or getting so enraged that those who aren’t intimidated are sometimes provoked themselves. (As an adult, drinking was often a factor too). I guess those experiences were “character building”, but pointless and regrettable too. I do know that I can take, and sometimes throw, a good punch.
I don’t think Renaissance men were common in any era, but I’d nominate the American songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson (born 1936). He played college rugby and (US) football at a standout level and was an elite pilot in the Army. He also published short stories in the Atlantic as a teen, was a Rhodes Scholar (winning a “Blue” for boxing while at Oxford). All this in addition to his more famous calling as a successful songwriter (“Me and Bobby McGhee, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Help Me Make it Through the Night”, etc.), one highly admired by fellow musicians. And, I’ll admit, he’s just an ok film actor. To see him, especially as a younger man, you’d think he was a rugged and plainspoken guy, which for the most part he is.
I certainly think adolescent boys or young men should know how to swing a hammer, kick a ball, and throw a punch (if it comes to that), but there’s no arm wrestling Pulitzer or track-and-field portion of the Nobel Prize.
And where do girls and women fit into this, if at all? I mean this as a real question. I admit it seems wrong for most of them to box, but a more robust physical health wouldn’t hurt, especially among these ever-more-indoor younger generations.
I agree that the worst “isms” attract unfit and neurotic people, but not only. Their ranks are filled out by strong and highly conditioned young people who carry out the commands of the sickly weirdos in charge, with their inferiority complexes that have mutated into megalomania.
There are some kind, courageous, and well-adjusted people who were never well-conditioned or strong in body. And not every physical weakling becomes a basket case or vengeful neurotic. (Please excuse this extra long post. I always appreciate these exchanges).
It is not size, it is spirit which manifests through a person being innovative and displaying fortitude by which a person becomes resileint, robust and resolute in body and mind. Nelson being a good example of innovation and fortitude though being small.
Orwell , as did Kipling, respected practical people, who undertook constructive work.
I think there is something which enriches the soul when one can point to constructive work one has achieved and the lack of constructive activity is soul destroying.
Proversb 1.5 the man of understanding will aquire skill.
The ability to undertake hard contact sports so one can thrive on the rough and tumble of life; train one’s mind to aquire knowledge, reason aquire skill; produces a person secure in their knowledge they can support themselves and defend themselves intellectually and physically. This produces a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually refined, resilient,robust, balanced and grounded person who finds any extremism as rather absurd.
Nazism, Communism, Islamicism and Wokism are attractive to the insecure, inadequate and those with inferiority complexes.
In short the Renaissance Gentleman and Lady can securely smile with amusement on the antics of extremists, who know not to push their luck with them because they can defend themselves.
Since 1945, how much noise and activity is due to people being “Empty vessels?” Name one figure since 1945 who could be said to manifest the Renaissance person ?
I mostly agree with that. (Am I through the looking glass now?). Material conditions are often dwarfed in importance by health, purpose, and a sense of belonging. If wholesome belonging is not available, people will find malignant versions of community.
As to physical hardihood–now or then–in a politician? A plus, not a need. Henry VIII was an impressive athlete as a young man, as was Gerald Ford. James Madison was something of a tiny weakling (5″ 3′), but an impressive statesman.
What benefits society is not always apparent to at first glance, or in the short run. I think the writings of Orwell and William Blake provide net social (and other) benefits, but few of their contemporaries would have called them “useful”. Nor is value, as you know, reducible to mere use.
Thank you. Reading Orwell was a revelation; he showed character influenced politics. Birds of a feather flock together. or as the feminists say ” The personal is the political “.The Devil provides mischief for idle hands.
When adult politicians are desperate to show their fitness it is absurd; they should be able to point to their ohysical achievements pre thirties.
If young people are pushed physically, mentally and artistically so they are exhausted by the evenings they will not cause mischief. Fit, skilled people who can find interesting and well paid work tend be cheerful and are of benefit to society. I think many of the problems which are written about on Unherd are because people are unfilled on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
I respect that. You always have something of substance to offer-wish I could claim that for myself–and some recommendations of interest too. I strongly agree that at some fundamental level we are largely unchanged since Whenever.
I don’t have total faith in your rugby and rough-play approach to social, physical, and mental health, but it certainly could only help. And at least you are proposing a remedy instead of indulging in catastrophe-talk or lamentations about the kids, politicians, etc. these days.
Thank you . I never say the past is good: I say lets learn from it. Humans are much the same as they were when Sumer created the first civilisation 5500 years ago and their subsequent rise and fall show similarities which has been noted by Ibn Khaldun, Arnold Toynbee, C Northcote Parkinson and John Glubb. TOP 24 QUOTES BY IBN KHALDUN | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
The USA shows much similarities to Rome post 350 AD.
There is a phrase in boxing ” Train hard, fight easy”. Since the 1960s the middle and upper class have wanted success by training easy and we can see the results.
Alexander the Great had his mind tempered by Aristotle and his bod tempered in the gymnasium which would have included pankration. What of those who attend the wealthiest universites in the West ?
I usually like your posts, and this one no exception, but you have a consistent blind spot. Nostalgia is not as good as it used to be, The ever-so-better past age you celebrate never quite existed in the way you frame it
You really think that settles the argument AJ Mac?
Oh well, try this troublesome fact from recent history: back in 2010 The Daily Telegraph used the Freedom of Information act to press the London Metropolitan Police to release crime data it had been withholding. That data showed that for the period 2009-2010, with London’s black population at just over 10% of the total, over 50% of males who committed street crimes, robberies and gun crimes in that period were black. Note: it required an FOI request to have that data made public â presumably because the figures didn’t sit well with the cheery pro-multicultural stance of our establishment. Violent crime in London’s black communities continues to grow.
For some good dissident number crunching on this issue as it applies in the US you might try reading Steve Sailer’s column and blog â or would that jar with your Left-liberal sensibilities?
The way to murder rates is the international method of murders per 100,000 of the population. List of cities by homicide rate – Wikipedia
The next questions are where do wealthy members of the Democrat Party live, how secure are their homes and where do they send their children to school?
Even in inner city areas there can be pockets of affluent very secure homes, a few hundred metres away from violence stricken housing. The Georgian Terraces of Islington are very pleasant and Labour MPs manage to get their children into DAO which used to be in the borough and is now in affluent Potters Bar. Dame Alice Owen’s School â Founded 1613 (damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk)
The reality is that one can obtain a high salary and pension, paid for by the taxpayer in a city working for the state, yet crime soars and educational standards collapse
I would have more time for Democrat/labour members if they lived in the most violent areas and sent their children to the worse schools.
The murder rate can hide much. Often crime is found within a few blocks. An example is Chicago; there are few murders within the university yet other areas have 7 times more than other areas. Crime in Chicago – Wikipedia
At Independence, Ceylon was poor, they could not afford to fund health and education. They chose education. The teacher carried a blackboard and cycled between villages. The school was under the large tree, the children were barefoot yet some obtained 7 O Levels including Latin. A similar story for South India( Kerala), Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The slums created because of rapid industrialisation during the Napoleonic Wars meant that conditions were horrendous. Bradford went from 6,000 in 1800 to120,000 in 1850s yet through the hard work of many conditions were improved.
The issue for the West is that we have turned away from self improvement as supported by Keir Hardie, Booker T Washington, Churchill, J Kennedy and Dr M L King. In the 1960s the Democrat and Labour Party gave up on The Bible, especially Proverbs, as preached by Non Conformist, Methodist and Baptists and took up Cultural Marxism as promoted by the Frankfurt School, Gramsci, Saul Alinsky, Herbert Marcuse and post Modernist Marxists.
If one reads Proverbs, words used frequently are : wisdom, instruction,well- instructed intelligence, righteousness, justice, probity, shrewdness, knowledge, aquire skill, fools scorn wisdom and discipline, avoid criminals, etc.
In the 1960s Motown had a teacher of etiquette now much rap glorifies gang violence and contempt for women. The murders of J Kennedy, Dr M L king and R Kennedy enabled the cultural marxists to take over the Democratic Party and the results are there to be seen.
Would it be ever so off-topic of me to mention that San Francisco is 5% black, less than half the nationwide average of 12.5%?
N Satori
1 year ago
Would it be terribly far-right of me to draw attention to the briefly mentioned fact (13th paragraph) that the population of Washington DC is 45% black? Odd that John Masko mentions this fact merely to draw attention to the number of victims of gun crime. Perpetrators? Read between the lines.
Saul D
1 year ago
As the federal capital, Washington DC is home to the supposedly best and brightest political thinkers in the land – 92% of whom vote Democrat. With such an intellectual powerhouse behind it, it should be the shining beacon of good governance.
That it is not, points to large empirical proof of the failure of modern political thought and education of those intellectual classes. The proof is in the eating, and the eating says it doesn’t work.
So then task the schools of politics to discard what they think they know, and to find stuff that actually works – and then teach politics as a practical subject of good governance, not a theory of some idealised future state.
What is your favorite era of political thought and what societies did such thought reflect or produce? I don’t even disagree with most of your opinions here, but nothing you’ve claimed is empirical. let alone dispositively established. You must know that.
What is your favorite era of political thought and what societies did such thought reflect or produce? I don’t even disagree with most of your opinions here, but nothing you’ve claimed is empirical. let alone dispositively established. You must know that.
Saul D
1 year ago
As the federal capital, Washington DC is home to the supposedly best and brightest political thinkers in the land – 92% of whom vote Democrat. With such an intellectual powerhouse behind it, it should be the shining beacon of good governance.
That it is not, points to large empirical proof of the failure of modern political thought and education of those intellectual classes. The proof is in the eating, and the eating says it doesn’t work.
So then task the schools of politics to discard what they think they know, and to find stuff that actually works – and then teach politics as a practical subject of good governance, not a theory of some idealised future state.
Daniel Lee
1 year ago
One of the most astonishing things about the collapse of American civilization – especially but not exclusively in the cities – is that it is happening in real time in full view of everyone, almost no one denies it, and yet the people directly responsible – the Democratic Party – go blithely along leaving destruction their wake and insisting what is needed is even MORE of their chaotic policies. It is shocking.
The Democrats go blithely along leaving destruction in their wake seemingly with the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box. They can’t confer legitimacy on themselves by dictat, but as a concerned observer from the other side of the Atlantic, i’d ask: is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans, much in the same way as the incompetence of the Tory administration in the UK will give way to Labour?
“is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans”
Thank you. As with the Federal Government, where Biden is POTUS for one reason: decent people will refuse to vote for Trump point-blank. One hates to chose between senility and a wanabe dictator, but it sorta has to be the senile old fool — at least there will be another election. If either party offered the electorate moderation and competence they’d win a landslide.
‘Wannabe dictator’? Biden just tried to unilaterally cancel trillions of dollars in debt owed to the taxpayer by (disproportionately) Biden voters.
Trump’s a blowhard egomaniac but as far as which of these two buffoons has done more to violate Constitutional norms, it’s not even close.
Tried to overturn the will of the electorate. Has a fake-ass charitable foundation that makes the Clinton Foundation seem squeaky clean. Worsened our nation’s standing around the world. Is too terrible a person to even pay tradespeople, let alone lead a nation. Is a greedy, silver-spoon dirt-bag–and I would not use such a term lightly–that somehow P.T. Barnum-ed the credulous public into believing he’s on the side of regular people. I could certainly go on, but that should be enough
Tried to overturn the will of the electorate. Has a fake-ass charitable foundation that makes the Clinton Foundation seem squeaky clean. Worsened our nation’s standing around the world. Is too terrible a person to even pay tradespeople, let alone lead a nation. Is a greedy, silver-spoon dirt-bag–and I would not use such a term lightly–that somehow P.T. Barnum-ed the credulous public into believing he’s on the side of regular people. I could certainly go on, but that should be enough
No, it isn’t close. It’s the guy who tried to “find” thousands of votes in Georgia and riled up a crowd that had a violent faction in his attempt to overturn an election because he lost it. Have a look at this if you’re willing: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/trump-plans-2025.html
No, it isn’t close. It’s the guy who tried to “find” thousands of votes in Georgia and riled up a crowd that had a violent faction in his attempt to overturn an election because he lost it. Have a look at this if you’re willing: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/trump-plans-2025.html
Absolutely!! In the US we’re craving a viable alternative to Biden or Trump. It’s truly heartbreaking to not have some one with vision and integrity to vote for, rather than the old white farts.
The only dictatorship has been the power behind the dementia patient puppet. We donât need moderates at this point because they are not strong enough. Seriously, the country wonât survive another 4 years of open borders and codified DEI.
‘Wannabe dictator’? Biden just tried to unilaterally cancel trillions of dollars in debt owed to the taxpayer by (disproportionately) Biden voters.
Trump’s a blowhard egomaniac but as far as which of these two buffoons has done more to violate Constitutional norms, it’s not even close.
Absolutely!! In the US we’re craving a viable alternative to Biden or Trump. It’s truly heartbreaking to not have some one with vision and integrity to vote for, rather than the old white farts.
The only dictatorship has been the power behind the dementia patient puppet. We donât need moderates at this point because they are not strong enough. Seriously, the country wonât survive another 4 years of open borders and codified DEI.
Yes. Like the Tories, the Republicans are not race realists, so they just passively go along with the Democratsâ anti-white policies and coddling of blacks.
The typical conservative Republican knows all about the disasters that are our black-run Democratic voting cities, but has nothing to offer as solutions other than preaching about absent-fathers, promoting âOpportunity Zonesâ and quoting Martin Luther King.
Like the Tories they are TERRIFIED to talk about race. Theyâd rather their constituentsâ daughters be assaulted on the streets than mention the word.
And the conditions described by the race-oblivious author of this article are nothing new. They have been the status quo in Americaâs urban government schools for decades. Ignore the violence, ignore the lack of learning, just pass them through and blame racism.
While the GOP sings âEbony and Ivoryâ in unison.
Everything you post is straight up terrible. You are a simplistic racist in the worst American tradition.
*Who’s your favorite Confederate hero: Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis?
Everything you post is straight up terrible. You are a simplistic racist in the worst American tradition.
*Who’s your favorite Confederate hero: Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis?
It’s less about GOP incompetence than their willing submission to the Progressive control of popular culture in order to keep the press from canceling them. There is no fight in them. But the idea that Trump is a wannabe dictator is just playing the Left’s slander game. If he was, he had four years to try and he made not one move in that direction. Trying to pause the (obviously flawed if not outright manipulated) election was foolish, but no coup.
“is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans”
Thank you. As with the Federal Government, where Biden is POTUS for one reason: decent people will refuse to vote for Trump point-blank. One hates to chose between senility and a wanabe dictator, but it sorta has to be the senile old fool — at least there will be another election. If either party offered the electorate moderation and competence they’d win a landslide.
Yes. Like the Tories, the Republicans are not race realists, so they just passively go along with the Democratsâ anti-white policies and coddling of blacks.
The typical conservative Republican knows all about the disasters that are our black-run Democratic voting cities, but has nothing to offer as solutions other than preaching about absent-fathers, promoting âOpportunity Zonesâ and quoting Martin Luther King.
Like the Tories they are TERRIFIED to talk about race. Theyâd rather their constituentsâ daughters be assaulted on the streets than mention the word.
And the conditions described by the race-oblivious author of this article are nothing new. They have been the status quo in Americaâs urban government schools for decades. Ignore the violence, ignore the lack of learning, just pass them through and blame racism.
While the GOP sings âEbony and Ivoryâ in unison.
It’s less about GOP incompetence than their willing submission to the Progressive control of popular culture in order to keep the press from canceling them. There is no fight in them. But the idea that Trump is a wannabe dictator is just playing the Left’s slander game. If he was, he had four years to try and he made not one move in that direction. Trying to pause the (obviously flawed if not outright manipulated) election was foolish, but no coup.
The Democrats go blithely along leaving destruction in their wake seemingly with the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box. They can’t confer legitimacy on themselves by dictat, but as a concerned observer from the other side of the Atlantic, i’d ask: is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans, much in the same way as the incompetence of the Tory administration in the UK will give way to Labour?
Daniel Lee
1 year ago
One of the most astonishing things about the collapse of American civilization – especially but not exclusively in the cities – is that it is happening in real time in full view of everyone, almost no one denies it, and yet the people directly responsible – the Democratic Party – go blithely along leaving destruction their wake and insisting what is needed is even MORE of their chaotic policies. It is shocking.
Stephanie Surface
1 year ago
Giuliani did a brilliant job cleaning up NYC. I lived there, when I was a student, and the difference once he was in charge was astounding. Even my most liberal left wing acquaintances had to admit that all of a sudden you could leave Columbia campus without being attacked. Bloomberg continued the good work, especially reforming the schools. It just takes a couple of lefty Democrats to make the place into a hell hole again.
Last edited 1 year ago by Stephanie Surface
Stephanie Surface
1 year ago
Giuliani did a brilliant job cleaning up NYC. I lived there, when I was a student, and the difference once he was in charge was astounding. Even my most liberal left wing acquaintances had to admit that all of a sudden you could leave Columbia campus without being attacked. Bloomberg continued the good work, especially reforming the schools. It just takes a couple of lefty Democrats to make the place into a hell hole again.
Last edited 1 year ago by Stephanie Surface
Sophy T
1 year ago
It is unfair, of course, to blame crime and disorder solely on city government.
Why is it unfair? The article explains the measures the city government has taken to enable criminals so obviously they are largely to blame.
This sort of thing doesnât happen in Seoul, for example.
Funny that you mention Sepul — you might have added Tokyo, anywhere in China, etc. — “diversity” and crime go hand in hand. For complex reasons, people from conflicting cultures do badly together. Those cities (and countries) without “diversity” do much better.
Of course. Too bad 1930s Germany couldn’t seem to find enough ethnic unity in an nearly all-white country, Jews and Gentiles alike. People should segregate by ethnicity across the globe, a national scale apartheid. Maybe Native Americans can be tolerated though, since they were here first.
Main Edition
US
FR
If the Dems are in power they’ll appoint the same type of people who run Democrat-controlled cities with the same result. Even if the Republicans are elected, the federal bureaucracy is now solidly left-wing and if they’re in any way involved in the supervision of DC municipal government they will frustrate a Republican Congress’s efforts at every turn.
Face the uncomfortable truth: the federal bureaucracy is fully captured by the left and will, overtly or covertly, impose a leftist agenda on everything they touch. It’s a generational challenge to eradicate the politicization of the supposedly impartial federal government.
Mission accomplished on the Supreme Court. That is, a near-eradication of politicization that you wouldn’t agree with,
I think people might be reading you wrong. Flesh out what you mean.
I am not permitted to comment at length right now, under the editorial and/or algorithmic structure.
I am not permitted to comment at length right now, under the editorial and/or algorithmic structure.
I think people might be reading you wrong. Flesh out what you mean.
All true. I’m still left wondering why the residents of the poor, mostly black, neighborhoods keep electing the crazy supervisors who make it impossible to control the criminals and who side with teachers over their children. Is it just ignorance? Or do too many have criminal/teacher relatives?
Insanity is supposedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I understand wealthy white NW DC liberals who are full of guilt voting for extreme leftist supervisors (like SF), but I simply can’t understand why DC blacks who experience the results of bad policy don’t reject the status quo on schools and crime. Is there mass insanity in urban black communities?
I suspect they don’t vote, Michael.
Michael, I’m totally amazed you can seriously ask this. Do you actually imagine that poor DC residents have insights into the information in this article? Where do they get their information? The media. Schools. Who owns the media and schools? Leftist elites. You don’t actually think that inner city residents are informed, do you? They are enslaved by lies. Who will speak to them? I’ll tell you. Very few. Star Parker and CURE, for one. Candice Owens. That’s about it.
LOL
funny as if rightness are informed? Guns deter gun crime? False. Vaccines dont work? There is rampant election fraud? Yes , by Republicans. D states are better than R states. Flat out lie. You guys are hilarious.
LOL
funny as if rightness are informed? Guns deter gun crime? False. Vaccines dont work? There is rampant election fraud? Yes , by Republicans. D states are better than R states. Flat out lie. You guys are hilarious.
I suspect they don’t vote, Michael.
Michael, I’m totally amazed you can seriously ask this. Do you actually imagine that poor DC residents have insights into the information in this article? Where do they get their information? The media. Schools. Who owns the media and schools? Leftist elites. You don’t actually think that inner city residents are informed, do you? They are enslaved by lies. Who will speak to them? I’ll tell you. Very few. Star Parker and CURE, for one. Candice Owens. That’s about it.
Did you mean biased like SCOTUS?
The author does not even live in DC but at his young age is an expert and preposterously proposes Federal take over of the city .
Plus no mention of the riots at the capitol ?
Then why is it D states fair so much better than R states? 9 out 10 poorest states are R states. 8 out 10 highest violent crime states are R states. Same pattern with Healthcare, education.
Well DC isn’t a state.
And Illinois? New York? Maryland? Sources please
https://www.moneygeek.com/living/states-most-reliant-federal-government/
There are others on GDP, etc.
Also after searching through a number of sites with varying stats on red-blue murder rates. None felt quite representative, which years they chose, which cities etc. Some favored blue. Some red but marginally. Most were a muddle.
Then I found this. It focuses on per state and follows for a longer period of time. More importantly, it also hampers blue states in one methodology by taking out cities for red only.
https://www.thirdway.org/report/the-two-decade-red-state-murder-problem
And still red states have more murder. Blue cities spend more on the police as a rule but also on social services, (and I presume education) so that might be the answer.
Congress totally screwed over DC’s education system and then came in and in order to fix it insisted on charter schools which is another way of defunding them for everyone else.
You right. But it should be. R states suck compared to D states. Furthermore, cities budget, priorities etc are set at the state level.
https://www.moneygeek.com/living/states-most-reliant-federal-government/
There are others on GDP, etc.
Also after searching through a number of sites with varying stats on red-blue murder rates. None felt quite representative, which years they chose, which cities etc. Some favored blue. Some red but marginally. Most were a muddle.
Then I found this. It focuses on per state and follows for a longer period of time. More importantly, it also hampers blue states in one methodology by taking out cities for red only.
https://www.thirdway.org/report/the-two-decade-red-state-murder-problem
And still red states have more murder. Blue cities spend more on the police as a rule but also on social services, (and I presume education) so that might be the answer.
Congress totally screwed over DC’s education system and then came in and in order to fix it insisted on charter schools which is another way of defunding them for everyone else.
You right. But it should be. R states suck compared to D states. Furthermore, cities budget, priorities etc are set at the state level.
Well DC isn’t a state.
And Illinois? New York? Maryland? Sources please
The problem with DC is congress actually. Congress not DC controls the pursestrings and congress controls the budgets. DC can submit the budget but it must be approved by congress and they must set the budget up to 4 years out. They are completely stymied by congress–so if they want to, let’s say legalize cannabis, they can’t unless it gets through congress (which now requires a supermajority). They are also responsible for some of what states are required to do, and unlike states are again hampered by Congress approval.
Their schools were traditionally underfunded because DC lawmakers did not send their kids to public schools. It goes on. The worst thing that could happen to DC is a federal takeover.
Make their pay linked to their performance.
Mission accomplished on the Supreme Court. That is, a near-eradication of politicization that you wouldn’t agree with,
All true. I’m still left wondering why the residents of the poor, mostly black, neighborhoods keep electing the crazy supervisors who make it impossible to control the criminals and who side with teachers over their children. Is it just ignorance? Or do too many have criminal/teacher relatives?
Insanity is supposedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I understand wealthy white NW DC liberals who are full of guilt voting for extreme leftist supervisors (like SF), but I simply can’t understand why DC blacks who experience the results of bad policy don’t reject the status quo on schools and crime. Is there mass insanity in urban black communities?
Did you mean biased like SCOTUS?
The author does not even live in DC but at his young age is an expert and preposterously proposes Federal take over of the city .
Plus no mention of the riots at the capitol ?
Then why is it D states fair so much better than R states? 9 out 10 poorest states are R states. 8 out 10 highest violent crime states are R states. Same pattern with Healthcare, education.
The problem with DC is congress actually. Congress not DC controls the pursestrings and congress controls the budgets. DC can submit the budget but it must be approved by congress and they must set the budget up to 4 years out. They are completely stymied by congress–so if they want to, let’s say legalize cannabis, they can’t unless it gets through congress (which now requires a supermajority). They are also responsible for some of what states are required to do, and unlike states are again hampered by Congress approval.
Their schools were traditionally underfunded because DC lawmakers did not send their kids to public schools. It goes on. The worst thing that could happen to DC is a federal takeover.
Make their pay linked to their performance.
If the Dems are in power they’ll appoint the same type of people who run Democrat-controlled cities with the same result. Even if the Republicans are elected, the federal bureaucracy is now solidly left-wing and if they’re in any way involved in the supervision of DC municipal government they will frustrate a Republican Congress’s efforts at every turn.
Face the uncomfortable truth: the federal bureaucracy is fully captured by the left and will, overtly or covertly, impose a leftist agenda on everything they touch. It’s a generational challenge to eradicate the politicization of the supposedly impartial federal government.
I was intrigued at the author’s assertion that saying that the people get what they voted for was ‘smug dismissal’, but it never came.
DC has been run by Democrats since the passing of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973. Every mayor has been a Democrat, the 8 wards have always voted in a Democrat. The elected mayors have ranged from of out and out crooks (Marion Barry) to general incompetents.
DC’s problems, like those of other Democrat run cities, are the result of the voters repeatedly voting in Democat governance despite its record of abject failure. When voters in Chicago finally booted out the useless,”progressive’ and ridiculous mayor, Lori Lightfoot, they instead voted in Brandon Johnson who, astoundigly, is even worse than Lightfoot.
DC’s voters are predominantly black and Leftist ‘progressives, many of whom are bureacrats and other government workers. These people repeatedly vote Democrat because they are either too stupid, too politically tribal or gain financially The only way these people are going to stop voting Democrat is by making them face the consequences of their choices.
The same pattern exists in UK cities where for generations the populations have voted Labour and wonder why things don’t change. it is third world politics with every new administration focusing as a priority on getting their nose in the trough and seeking out opportunities for corruption
Isn’t it almost all Tory run councils which have sunk into astonishing levels of literal bankruptcy?
Bit of a mix really; Croydon? Slough?
Bit of a mix really; Croydon? Slough?
Aren’t most politians self-serving regardless of affiliation?
It is a rather ridiculous comparison, as usual made by people who can see almost no differences between the US and the UK; both extreme Right and Left insisting there are not.
For one thing, here we can often rely on the supposedly right of centre Conservatives to be cutting police budgets. There is simply no meaningful comparison between Washington DC and any British city, one of which, London, I live in.
That was rather a ridiculous comment. Look at the history of places such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent that have elected Labour councils for generations
That was rather a ridiculous comment. Look at the history of places such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent that have elected Labour councils for generations
Isn’t it almost all Tory run councils which have sunk into astonishing levels of literal bankruptcy?
Aren’t most politians self-serving regardless of affiliation?
It is a rather ridiculous comparison, as usual made by people who can see almost no differences between the US and the UK; both extreme Right and Left insisting there are not.
For one thing, here we can often rely on the supposedly right of centre Conservatives to be cutting police budgets. There is simply no meaningful comparison between Washington DC and any British city, one of which, London, I live in.
Rubbish.
Clare- You can’t run a functioning government with a primarily socialist perspective. You might need 5% socialists to check the rest but you get past that threshold it’s just weaponized government failure.
Clare- You can’t run a functioning government with a primarily socialist perspective. You might need 5% socialists to check the rest but you get past that threshold it’s just weaponized government failure.
Sure put the blacks in DC under Federal control.
Sounds like a nice white solution.
The same pattern exists in UK cities where for generations the populations have voted Labour and wonder why things don’t change. it is third world politics with every new administration focusing as a priority on getting their nose in the trough and seeking out opportunities for corruption
Rubbish.
Sure put the blacks in DC under Federal control.
Sounds like a nice white solution.
I was intrigued at the author’s assertion that saying that the people get what they voted for was ‘smug dismissal’, but it never came.
DC has been run by Democrats since the passing of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973. Every mayor has been a Democrat, the 8 wards have always voted in a Democrat. The elected mayors have ranged from of out and out crooks (Marion Barry) to general incompetents.
DC’s problems, like those of other Democrat run cities, are the result of the voters repeatedly voting in Democat governance despite its record of abject failure. When voters in Chicago finally booted out the useless,”progressive’ and ridiculous mayor, Lori Lightfoot, they instead voted in Brandon Johnson who, astoundigly, is even worse than Lightfoot.
DC’s voters are predominantly black and Leftist ‘progressives, many of whom are bureacrats and other government workers. These people repeatedly vote Democrat because they are either too stupid, too politically tribal or gain financially The only way these people are going to stop voting Democrat is by making them face the consequences of their choices.
Would it be terribly far-right of me to draw attention to the briefly mentioned fact (13th paragraph) that the population of Washington DC is 45% black? Odd that John Masko mentions this fact merely to draw attention to the number of victims of gun crime. Perpetrators? Read between the lines.
Would it be ever so off-topic of me to mention that San Francisco is 5% black, less than half the nationwide average of 12.5%?
Most crime comes to SF from across the bay on BART.
That is untrue and I think you know it. While you’ve identified a subset of the problem, more of the crime is committed by very white, if sun-damaged men and often enough women who “happen to be” homeless drug addicts.
Your reply to my second comment seems to have disappeared. When I attempted to reply to your reply I was blocked by reCaptcha!
All this IT disruption gets in the way of sensible discussion.
Many of mine are currently quarantined/disappeared…and only some of them are confrontational or hastily worded!
What’s IT? I thought you might say AI.
Many of mine are currently quarantined/disappeared…and only some of them are confrontational or hastily worded!
What’s IT? I thought you might say AI.
How do you know that?
It’s happened to me several times. Often when they are heavily downvoted, perhaps flagged by other users. Or with use of certain infamous names or loaded terms from history. Once you’ve had a comment “quarantined”, additional comments on the same board are unlikely to get published right away, during the probationary period. They typically reappear after a 12-hour timeout, but not always.
The editorial policy is opaque, so none of this is certain, but I have seen and been in discussions with many other commenters whose combined input helps flesh out the “unwritten UnHerd charter”. Overall, I think the site runs a good middle path between heavy suppression and abuse-filled free-for-all, but the rules are not made public.
It’s happened to me several times. Often when they are heavily downvoted, perhaps flagged by other users. Or with use of certain infamous names or loaded terms from history. Once you’ve had a comment “quarantined”, additional comments on the same board are unlikely to get published right away, during the probationary period. They typically reappear after a 12-hour timeout, but not always.
The editorial policy is opaque, so none of this is certain, but I have seen and been in discussions with many other commenters whose combined input helps flesh out the “unwritten UnHerd charter”. Overall, I think the site runs a good middle path between heavy suppression and abuse-filled free-for-all, but the rules are not made public.
Your reply to my second comment seems to have disappeared. When I attempted to reply to your reply I was blocked by reCaptcha!
All this IT disruption gets in the way of sensible discussion.
How do you know that?
How do you know that? Please name your source of information.
That is untrue and I think you know it. While you’ve identified a subset of the problem, more of the crime is committed by very white, if sun-damaged men and often enough women who “happen to be” homeless drug addicts.
How do you know that? Please name your source of information.
You really think that settles the argument AJ Mac?
Oh well, try this troublesome fact from recent history: back in 2010 The Daily Telegraph used the Freedom of Information act to press the London Metropolitan Police to release crime data it had been withholding. That data showed that for the period 2009-2010, with London’s black population at just over 10% of the total, over 50% of males who committed street crimes, robberies and gun crimes in that period were black. Note: it required an FOI request to have that data made public â presumably because the figures didn’t sit well with the cheery pro-multicultural stance of our establishment. Violent crime in London’s black communities continues to grow.
For some good dissident number crunching on this issue as it applies in the US you might try reading Steve Sailer’s column and blog â or would that jar with your Left-liberal sensibilities?
How much of that disproportionate criminality is removed by adjusting for income? That is: Don’t poor whites commit far more crime than rich ones, and do prosperous blacks commit a ton of serious crime? I’m not saying that excuses anyone’s crimes, nor that income or background related adjustments would remove ALL disparity.
And of course the argument isn’t settled. I’m just trying to assess how far your racial emphasis extends when it comes to criminality.
I’ll accept your label of Left-liberal as close enough for comment board purposes though I like to think I’m a bit more nuanced and complex than that–many of us are, or insist on believing so. Right now I’d “self-identify as” a centre-left extreme moderate, with too much of a radical contrarian streak. A bit long and self-important, I recognize.
I think your observations are defeated by looking to the extremely poor immigrants to New York from 1875-1927. They lived in housing not much better than the favelas outside Rio, their schools were mediocre, discrimination against them was nearly identical to that against blacks and even worse in some fields — and no air conditioning! Yet their crime rates were dramatically below that of any selected black neighborhood in the modern US.
One other thing — oddly, before the Civil Rights laws in the 60s and the literally hundreds of billions invested in blacks, their crime rates were much lower.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We might have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago for all sorts of reasons, the increased availability of stuff to covet and drugs being among them. But I don’t see much attempt to justify some of the sweeping statements on here.
The discrimination against white populations in the US has never been anything like as intense as against the black population, obviously including Jim Crow laws.
What discrimination against white poulations?
This is simply not true and you are comparing apples and oranges. Black is a racial category, Hispanic is not. Hispanic people may be of any race or a mixture of multiple races. If you look at crime rates in âHispanicâ countries, your comments are easily disproven. Compare predominately white Uruguay to the Dominican Republic, for instance. Or compare the Dominican Republic to neighbouring and more predominately black Haiti. Non-Hispanic but predominately black Guyana and Belize both have higher rates of violent crime than many Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The same is true for non-Hispanic countries outside the Americas (like South Africa and PNG) and the mostly English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. It is an uncomfortable truth that crime rates in the Americas tend to be higher in areas with larger populations of African descent. Brazil and the countries surrounding the Caribbean basin, where African populations are most concentrated, tend to have much higher rates of violent crime. There are, of course, many reasons and many factors at play. But it is simply dishonest to deny the racial correlation.
QED then. For a “scientific” racist, that is. Let’s say we were to fully accept your hardline racializations. What then? Putting a million black men in prison didn’t solve things in the States. Will 10 million be enough?
Thatâs quite a leap! As I said, there are many factors at play. Analysis based on one single data point (such as race) isnât especially illuminating. For instance, Blacks also have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and end stage renal failure. Those are also complex problems to address with many causes, not all rooted in race. But denying the existence of racial differences and tossing about accusations of racism wonât help anyone. Quite the opposite, it impedes the pursuit of concrete solutions. As for putting people of any colour or sex in prison, that strikes me as entirely appropriate if they have committed the relevant crime.
It’s not tossed out. It is well-earned. You reveal a deeply racialized worldview. And you propose no solutions, but soul-deep generalities based on skin or phenotype. How is that anything other than racist? You may think your carefully gathered and selected evidence and totalizing, reductive conclusions merely make you a soothsayer, but I don’t. Now I don’t say this is all you are, but I stand by it: You are some version of a hardcore racist. I’d like you to persuade me that I’m wrong if you can.
Reading comprehension failure. Hope you feel better now after your outburst.
Ok. I’ll give you the benefit of the remaining doubt. I note that you did not deny the label.
Ok. I’ll give you the benefit of the remaining doubt. I note that you did not deny the label.
Reading comprehension failure. Hope you feel better now after your outburst.
It’s not tossed out. It is well-earned. You reveal a deeply racialized worldview. And you propose no solutions, but soul-deep generalities based on skin or phenotype. How is that anything other than racist? You may think your carefully gathered and selected evidence and totalizing, reductive conclusions merely make you a soothsayer, but I don’t. Now I don’t say this is all you are, but I stand by it: You are some version of a hardcore racist. I’d like you to persuade me that I’m wrong if you can.
Thatâs quite a leap! As I said, there are many factors at play. Analysis based on one single data point (such as race) isnât especially illuminating. For instance, Blacks also have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and end stage renal failure. Those are also complex problems to address with many causes, not all rooted in race. But denying the existence of racial differences and tossing about accusations of racism wonât help anyone. Quite the opposite, it impedes the pursuit of concrete solutions. As for putting people of any colour or sex in prison, that strikes me as entirely appropriate if they have committed the relevant crime.
QED then. For a “scientific” racist, that is. Let’s say we were to fully accept your hardline racializations. What then? Putting a million black men in prison didn’t solve things in the States. Will 10 million be enough?
What discrimination against white poulations?
This is simply not true and you are comparing apples and oranges. Black is a racial category, Hispanic is not. Hispanic people may be of any race or a mixture of multiple races. If you look at crime rates in âHispanicâ countries, your comments are easily disproven. Compare predominately white Uruguay to the Dominican Republic, for instance. Or compare the Dominican Republic to neighbouring and more predominately black Haiti. Non-Hispanic but predominately black Guyana and Belize both have higher rates of violent crime than many Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The same is true for non-Hispanic countries outside the Americas (like South Africa and PNG) and the mostly English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. It is an uncomfortable truth that crime rates in the Americas tend to be higher in areas with larger populations of African descent. Brazil and the countries surrounding the Caribbean basin, where African populations are most concentrated, tend to have much higher rates of violent crime. There are, of course, many reasons and many factors at play. But it is simply dishonest to deny the racial correlation.
You canât compare communities separated by more than 100 years in time.
Aye. Consistently good contributions.
Aye. Consistently good contributions.
So do you draw any conclusions from that?
It’s quite ludicrous to claim that lower-class whites or darker southern European groups faced “nearly identical” discrimination to just-emancipated blacks. As a mostly Irish-descended North American, I know my ancestors faced exclusion and bigotry, but not of an equivalent sort.
Your comparison between 100-150 years ago and now–devoid of all context except race–is also an embarrassment. You ought to be embarrassed.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We might have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago for all sorts of reasons, the increased availability of stuff to covet and drugs being among them. But I don’t see much attempt to justify some of the sweeping statements on here.
The discrimination against white populations in the US has never been anything like as intense as against the black population, obviously including Jim Crow laws.
You canât compare communities separated by more than 100 years in time.
So do you draw any conclusions from that?
It’s quite ludicrous to claim that lower-class whites or darker southern European groups faced “nearly identical” discrimination to just-emancipated blacks. As a mostly Irish-descended North American, I know my ancestors faced exclusion and bigotry, but not of an equivalent sort.
Your comparison between 100-150 years ago and now–devoid of all context except race–is also an embarrassment. You ought to be embarrassed.
“a centre-left extreme moderate”
My kind of guy. But I put it to you brother that it’s time to end the age of Political Correctness. No matter how one slices and dices and spins and massages and trims the data, the fact is that Black criminality is something like 4X that of Whites — taking the broadest view. We hate to say it, don’t we? We want to explain it away. It is outside the Overton Window to mention it. It must be Whitey’s fault! We both wish it was our fault, don’t we? Alas, reality intrudes — it isn’t. Time for frankness, I think. Wishful thinking is nice, but it doesn’t solve problems. The Emperor is naked.
Ok. Let’s say your estimate is accurate (and I think it’s high, look at Appalachia and other very poor and under-schooled white communities). What now? I agree that we should be able to say the numbers and even draw our own conclusions, which should not then be dismissed nor preemptively discredited as bigoted.
But shouldn’t we still avoid racialized generalities, since they are a blunt, messy instrument that misses and wrongly group associates millions of people? I don’t accept a racial, ethnic, or national hierarchy of morality or conduct, though some countries in Europe produce more serious criminals per-thousand than others. Large groups have differing average traits, and while it’s valid to point that out, such averages are not a reliable guide, let alone some window into individual hearts and minds.
I also dislike the hyperbolic claim, for example, that all the Founding Fathers were slave owners or that America is founded only on racist practices or hypocritical principles. Far from it. I also reject “Whitey made me do it” excuses for bad behavior or personal failures. I endorse most of the views I hear Professor Glenn Loury espouse about black America: Yes there is some disadvantage and reduced-but-remaining bigotry, but that is not some insurmountable obstacle, and certainly not any proper excuse to fail or follow a wicked path, especially in today’s America.
However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.
Excellent exposition.
There have been attempts in recent days to try to push out of debates those capable of a more nuanced viewpoint. Naturally, that’s not going to happen.
A nice argument in favor of ignoring reality or ‘splain’ it a-way.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We probably have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago, for many reasons, but I doubt the genetic deficiency of black people is one of them.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/#:~:text=World's%20most%20dangerous%20countries%202023%2C%20by%20homicide%20rate&text=El%20Salvador%20saw%20a%20murder,crime%20worldwide%20as%20of%202023.
Which probably suggests that African culture is different – and arguably far worse – in American cities compared to say West Africa.
When I was living in the US, a Nigerian colleague moved from a very posh (central and multiracial neighbourhood) to a more distant, predominately Asian-American suburb. When I questioned her choice (a puzzling downgrade in my view), her reply used language that made me blush. A certain word beginning with ânâ was spat out with venom. She simply didnât want her children growing up around African Americans. In this case, I think class was a major factor. As a wealthy Oxford-educated African, she looked down on Americans and American culture
When I was living in the US, a Nigerian colleague moved from a very posh (central and multiracial neighbourhood) to a more distant, predominately Asian-American suburb. When I questioned her choice (a puzzling downgrade in my view), her reply used language that made me blush. A certain word beginning with ânâ was spat out with venom. She simply didnât want her children growing up around African Americans. In this case, I think class was a major factor. As a wealthy Oxford-educated African, she looked down on Americans and American culture
Which probably suggests that African culture is different – and arguably far worse – in American cities compared to say West Africa.
You got some splainin’ to do Jerry, not me.
The countries with the highest murder rates in the world are not black, but in fact Hispanic. We probably have a lot more crime now than a hundred years ago, for many reasons, but I doubt the genetic deficiency of black people is one of them.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/#:~:text=World's%20most%20dangerous%20countries%202023%2C%20by%20homicide%20rate&text=El%20Salvador%20saw%20a%20murder,crime%20worldwide%20as%20of%202023.
You got some splainin’ to do Jerry, not me.
“However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.”
You’re obviously making a good faith effort here, but this is ridiculous and if you genuinely believe it, you completely misunderstand what you’re arguing against. I seriously doubt any Unherd readers actually believe that there’s something in the melanin that makes one race more or less criminal than another â and even less likely that any such demographic correlations give us any reliable evidence about any specific person in any particular race.
What’s being argued is something else altogether â namely, (a) some cultures are better than others at creating flourishing, healthy societies and (b) there are racial correlations with different cultures. Is it permissible to say “this way of living is better than that way”? And if that is permissible, then which ways we should be promoting? And should we bite our tongues because the ways we should promote are more likely to be found among one racial community than another? Or should we endeavor to make sure they are well represented in all races?
I strongly disagree with your assessment. The argument you sketch is one I don’t object to in and of itself. Many are taking it much further and I know from previous, detailed exchanges that some here are racial supremacists or ethnic-hierarchy proponents. A matter-of-fact comment that began “white supremacist here” once received dozens of upvotes. Read all of the posts on this board and tell me no one here is arguing for the innate, heightened criminality of black people.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been around these boards, but a sizable minority of the race-related views expressed are less benign or well-meant than your characterization. Which is fine to a degree, people are entitled to those views too, repugnant as they are to most. But sometimes I make an effort to push against the more reasonable or borderline versions of such views, usually to a measure of outrage and sometimes to insults.
I made no argument about numerical demographic hiring by color or other demographic traits nor about attempts to engineer equality of outcome (rather than opportunity) among diverse populations and individuals. I don’t support those things. Please don’t connect me with every view you might think “someone like me” also has when I haven’t expressed that view. And I’ll will continue to try and return the favor.
Sometimes I haven’t honored good conversational ethics, becoming unduly contentious, sarcastic, or presenting a strawman parody of an interlocutor’s perspective. (I did some of that in my first post early this morning, which is now quite deservedly quarantined). But when that happens I make an effort to fess up and do better next time.
Here’s one thing I think nearly all of us here can agree on: The no-forgiveness, no-redemption policy typical of hardline Wokeness is wrongheaded and hardhearted, whether it emerges from the hard left or from elsewhere along the so-called political spectrum, which it sometimes does.
Fair enough â you think more people here are genuine old-fashioned KKK-type racists than I do. I guess we’ll have to keep reading to find out.
That said… it is pretty easy to conflate ‘old fashioned’ racists with people ‘brave enough to call a spade a spade.’ We’d have to look at some specific examples to really figure out who was who.
While I’m not amused by it, I’m intrigued by the insinuation that “new-fashioned racism” is somehow clever or correct.
While I’m not amused by it, I’m intrigued by the insinuation that “new-fashioned racism” is somehow clever or correct.
Wokeness is by definition left-wing.
But ruthless judgment and punitive hardheartedness are not inherently left wing at all.
But ruthless judgment and punitive hardheartedness are not inherently left wing at all.
Fair enough â you think more people here are genuine old-fashioned KKK-type racists than I do. I guess we’ll have to keep reading to find out.
That said… it is pretty easy to conflate ‘old fashioned’ racists with people ‘brave enough to call a spade a spade.’ We’d have to look at some specific examples to really figure out who was who.
Wokeness is by definition left-wing.
Amazed you have no likes yet. Yes, some problematic cultures are associated with race/ethnicity, however race in and of itself is not predictive of bad culture. Culture comes first.
It’s baffling that lesser cultures–an objective measurement?–don’t all want to imitate the West. We have so much to teach them. Too bad we haven’t learned our own professed lessons yet. Let’s judge ourselves on our ideals, while judging Them on their shortcomings.
It’s baffling that lesser cultures–an objective measurement?–don’t all want to imitate the West. We have so much to teach them. Too bad we haven’t learned our own professed lessons yet. Let’s judge ourselves on our ideals, while judging Them on their shortcomings.
I strongly disagree with your assessment. The argument you sketch is one I don’t object to in and of itself. Many are taking it much further and I know from previous, detailed exchanges that some here are racial supremacists or ethnic-hierarchy proponents. A matter-of-fact comment that began “white supremacist here” once received dozens of upvotes. Read all of the posts on this board and tell me no one here is arguing for the innate, heightened criminality of black people.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been around these boards, but a sizable minority of the race-related views expressed are less benign or well-meant than your characterization. Which is fine to a degree, people are entitled to those views too, repugnant as they are to most. But sometimes I make an effort to push against the more reasonable or borderline versions of such views, usually to a measure of outrage and sometimes to insults.
I made no argument about numerical demographic hiring by color or other demographic traits nor about attempts to engineer equality of outcome (rather than opportunity) among diverse populations and individuals. I don’t support those things. Please don’t connect me with every view you might think “someone like me” also has when I haven’t expressed that view. And I’ll will continue to try and return the favor.
Sometimes I haven’t honored good conversational ethics, becoming unduly contentious, sarcastic, or presenting a strawman parody of an interlocutor’s perspective. (I did some of that in my first post early this morning, which is now quite deservedly quarantined). But when that happens I make an effort to fess up and do better next time.
Here’s one thing I think nearly all of us here can agree on: The no-forgiveness, no-redemption policy typical of hardline Wokeness is wrongheaded and hardhearted, whether it emerges from the hard left or from elsewhere along the so-called political spectrum, which it sometimes does.
Amazed you have no likes yet. Yes, some problematic cultures are associated with race/ethnicity, however race in and of itself is not predictive of bad culture. Culture comes first.
Nice post. IMO people are confusing class issues with racial issues. Iâm pretty sure immigrant Nigerians are some of the highest income earners in America. I donât think thereâs a bunch of crime committed by middle class black people. Itâs poor people living in crappy neighborhoods committing crimes, whether itâs the south side of Chicago or Appalachia.
Exactly my point, Thanks, Jim.
Exactly my point, Thanks, Jim.
Excellent exposition.
There have been attempts in recent days to try to push out of debates those capable of a more nuanced viewpoint. Naturally, that’s not going to happen.
A nice argument in favor of ignoring reality or ‘splain’ it a-way.
“However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.”
You’re obviously making a good faith effort here, but this is ridiculous and if you genuinely believe it, you completely misunderstand what you’re arguing against. I seriously doubt any Unherd readers actually believe that there’s something in the melanin that makes one race more or less criminal than another â and even less likely that any such demographic correlations give us any reliable evidence about any specific person in any particular race.
What’s being argued is something else altogether â namely, (a) some cultures are better than others at creating flourishing, healthy societies and (b) there are racial correlations with different cultures. Is it permissible to say “this way of living is better than that way”? And if that is permissible, then which ways we should be promoting? And should we bite our tongues because the ways we should promote are more likely to be found among one racial community than another? Or should we endeavor to make sure they are well represented in all races?
Nice post. IMO people are confusing class issues with racial issues. Iâm pretty sure immigrant Nigerians are some of the highest income earners in America. I donât think thereâs a bunch of crime committed by middle class black people. Itâs poor people living in crappy neighborhoods committing crimes, whether itâs the south side of Chicago or Appalachia.
More than 7O% of the violent crime committed in the US is by that 4% of the black male population younger than 45 years.
And I bet that vast majority of that 4% life in awful neighbourhoods.
And I bet that vast majority of that 4% life in awful neighbourhoods.
But at the same time the Right often at the same time cite Muslims as perpetrating most crime in Europe eg Sweden. Racial ‘explanations’ are poor explanations.
Well a son of Indian or Pakistani muslim aristocrat whose family has been educated in British public schools, Sandhurst and universities for generations is unlikely to be a criminal or support Islamic Terrorists.
My Father played cricket in Pakistan in the 1960s, the captain was a general who had fought in WW2. He considered the British Army had become sloppy and he said he maintained standards of the pre 1947 Indian Army.
The upper class Arabs whose society produced Omar Sharif; spoke English and French fluently and were educated at the Sorbonne, Oxford and Cambridge.
However, those from North Africa and especially those hardened in the Algerian civil war of 1991 to 2002 are very different.
Well a son of Indian or Pakistani muslim aristocrat whose family has been educated in British public schools, Sandhurst and universities for generations is unlikely to be a criminal or support Islamic Terrorists.
My Father played cricket in Pakistan in the 1960s, the captain was a general who had fought in WW2. He considered the British Army had become sloppy and he said he maintained standards of the pre 1947 Indian Army.
The upper class Arabs whose society produced Omar Sharif; spoke English and French fluently and were educated at the Sorbonne, Oxford and Cambridge.
However, those from North Africa and especially those hardened in the Algerian civil war of 1991 to 2002 are very different.
homicide rate is 10x in US; 7 x in UK
Ok. Let’s say your estimate is accurate (and I think it’s high, look at Appalachia and other very poor and under-schooled white communities). What now? I agree that we should be able to say the numbers and even draw our own conclusions, which should not then be dismissed nor preemptively discredited as bigoted.
But shouldn’t we still avoid racialized generalities, since they are a blunt, messy instrument that misses and wrongly group associates millions of people? I don’t accept a racial, ethnic, or national hierarchy of morality or conduct, though some countries in Europe produce more serious criminals per-thousand than others. Large groups have differing average traits, and while it’s valid to point that out, such averages are not a reliable guide, let alone some window into individual hearts and minds.
I also dislike the hyperbolic claim, for example, that all the Founding Fathers were slave owners or that America is founded only on racist practices or hypocritical principles. Far from it. I also reject “Whitey made me do it” excuses for bad behavior or personal failures. I endorse most of the views I hear Professor Glenn Loury espouse about black America: Yes there is some disadvantage and reduced-but-remaining bigotry, but that is not some insurmountable obstacle, and certainly not any proper excuse to fail or follow a wicked path, especially in today’s America.
However, I plead with those of good or even pretty good heart not to assign a special pathology or lesser humanity to any whole population by their perceived group association or outward characteristics.
More than 7O% of the violent crime committed in the US is by that 4% of the black male population younger than 45 years.
But at the same time the Right often at the same time cite Muslims as perpetrating most crime in Europe eg Sweden. Racial ‘explanations’ are poor explanations.
homicide rate is 10x in US; 7 x in UK
I think your observations are defeated by looking to the extremely poor immigrants to New York from 1875-1927. They lived in housing not much better than the favelas outside Rio, their schools were mediocre, discrimination against them was nearly identical to that against blacks and even worse in some fields — and no air conditioning! Yet their crime rates were dramatically below that of any selected black neighborhood in the modern US.
One other thing — oddly, before the Civil Rights laws in the 60s and the literally hundreds of billions invested in blacks, their crime rates were much lower.
“a centre-left extreme moderate”
My kind of guy. But I put it to you brother that it’s time to end the age of Political Correctness. No matter how one slices and dices and spins and massages and trims the data, the fact is that Black criminality is something like 4X that of Whites — taking the broadest view. We hate to say it, don’t we? We want to explain it away. It is outside the Overton Window to mention it. It must be Whitey’s fault! We both wish it was our fault, don’t we? Alas, reality intrudes — it isn’t. Time for frankness, I think. Wishful thinking is nice, but it doesn’t solve problems. The Emperor is naked.
The common denominator everywhere is men.
This is true. But also the common denominator in “people who rush into burning buildings to save strangers’ lives” and “people who win Nobel prizes” and “people who write the world’s best operas.” Isn’t it common knowledge that the bell curve for men is flatter than the bell curve for women, so we get more geniuses and heroes, but also more dunces and villains?
Indeed. That has been fully demonstrated to anyone willing to look.
Indeed. That has been fully demonstrated to anyone willing to look.
no the common denominator is single mothers.
This is true. But also the common denominator in “people who rush into burning buildings to save strangers’ lives” and “people who win Nobel prizes” and “people who write the world’s best operas.” Isn’t it common knowledge that the bell curve for men is flatter than the bell curve for women, so we get more geniuses and heroes, but also more dunces and villains?
no the common denominator is single mothers.
How much of that disproportionate criminality is removed by adjusting for income? That is: Don’t poor whites commit far more crime than rich ones, and do prosperous blacks commit a ton of serious crime? I’m not saying that excuses anyone’s crimes, nor that income or background related adjustments would remove ALL disparity.
And of course the argument isn’t settled. I’m just trying to assess how far your racial emphasis extends when it comes to criminality.
I’ll accept your label of Left-liberal as close enough for comment board purposes though I like to think I’m a bit more nuanced and complex than that–many of us are, or insist on believing so. Right now I’d “self-identify as” a centre-left extreme moderate, with too much of a radical contrarian streak. A bit long and self-important, I recognize.
The common denominator everywhere is men.
The way to murder rates is the international method of murders per 100,000 of the population.
List of cities by homicide rate – Wikipedia
The next questions are where do wealthy members of the Democrat Party live, how secure are their homes and where do they send their children to school?
Even in inner city areas there can be pockets of affluent very secure homes, a few hundred metres away from violence stricken housing. The Georgian Terraces of Islington are very pleasant and Labour MPs manage to get their children into DAO which used to be in the borough and is now in affluent Potters Bar.
Dame Alice Owen’s School â Founded 1613 (damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk)
The reality is that one can obtain a high salary and pension, paid for by the taxpayer in a city working for the state, yet crime soars and educational standards collapse
I would have more time for Democrat/labour members if they lived in the most violent areas and sent their children to the worse schools.
The murder rate can hide much. Often crime is found within a few blocks. An example is Chicago; there are few murders within the university yet other areas have 7 times more than other areas.
Crime in Chicago – Wikipedia
At Independence, Ceylon was poor, they could not afford to fund health and education. They chose education. The teacher carried a blackboard and cycled between villages. The school was under the large tree, the children were barefoot yet some obtained 7 O Levels including Latin. A similar story for South India( Kerala), Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The slums created because of rapid industrialisation during the Napoleonic Wars meant that conditions were horrendous. Bradford went from 6,000 in 1800 to120,000 in 1850s yet through the hard work of many conditions were improved.
The issue for the West is that we have turned away from self improvement as supported by Keir Hardie, Booker T Washington, Churchill, J Kennedy and Dr M L King. In the 1960s the Democrat and Labour Party gave up on The Bible, especially Proverbs, as preached by Non Conformist, Methodist and Baptists and took up Cultural Marxism as promoted by the Frankfurt School, Gramsci, Saul Alinsky, Herbert Marcuse and post Modernist Marxists.
If one reads Proverbs, words used frequently are : wisdom, instruction,well- instructed intelligence, righteousness, justice, probity, shrewdness, knowledge, aquire skill, fools scorn wisdom and discipline, avoid criminals, etc.
In the 1960s Motown had a teacher of etiquette now much rap glorifies gang violence and contempt for women. The murders of J Kennedy, Dr M L king and R Kennedy enabled the cultural marxists to take over the Democratic Party and the results are there to be seen.
I usually like your posts, and this one no exception, but you have a consistent blind spot. Nostalgia is not as good as it used to be, The ever-so-better past age you celebrate never quite existed in the way you frame it
Thank you . I never say the past is good: I say lets learn from it. Humans are much the same as they were when Sumer created the first civilisation 5500 years ago and their subsequent rise and fall show similarities which has been noted by Ibn Khaldun, Arnold Toynbee, C Northcote Parkinson and John Glubb.
TOP 24 QUOTES BY IBN KHALDUN | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
The USA shows much similarities to Rome post 350 AD.
There is a phrase in boxing ” Train hard, fight easy”. Since the 1960s the middle and upper class have wanted success by training easy and we can see the results.
Alexander the Great had his mind tempered by Aristotle and his bod tempered in the gymnasium which would have included pankration. What of those who attend the wealthiest universites in the West ?
I respect that. You always have something of substance to offer-wish I could claim that for myself–and some recommendations of interest too. I strongly agree that at some fundamental level we are largely unchanged since Whenever.
I don’t have total faith in your rugby and rough-play approach to social, physical, and mental health, but it certainly could only help. And at least you are proposing a remedy instead of indulging in catastrophe-talk or lamentations about the kids, politicians, etc. these days.
Thank you. Reading Orwell was a revelation; he showed character influenced politics. Birds of a feather flock together. or as the feminists say ” The personal is the political “.The Devil provides mischief for idle hands.
When adult politicians are desperate to show their fitness it is absurd; they should be able to point to their ohysical achievements pre thirties.
If young people are pushed physically, mentally and artistically so they are exhausted by the evenings they will not cause mischief. Fit, skilled people who can find interesting and well paid work tend be cheerful and are of benefit to society. I think many of the problems which are written about on Unherd are because people are unfilled on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
I mostly agree with that. (Am I through the looking glass now?). Material conditions are often dwarfed in importance by health, purpose, and a sense of belonging. If wholesome belonging is not available, people will find malignant versions of community.
As to physical hardihood–now or then–in a politician? A plus, not a need. Henry VIII was an impressive athlete as a young man, as was Gerald Ford. James Madison was something of a tiny weakling (5″ 3′), but an impressive statesman.
What benefits society is not always apparent to at first glance, or in the short run. I think the writings of Orwell and William Blake provide net social (and other) benefits, but few of their contemporaries would have called them “useful”. Nor is value, as you know, reducible to mere use.
It is not size, it is spirit which manifests through a person being innovative and displaying fortitude by which a person becomes resileint, robust and resolute in body and mind. Nelson being a good example of innovation and fortitude though being small.
Orwell , as did Kipling, respected practical people, who undertook constructive work.
I think there is something which enriches the soul when one can point to constructive work one has achieved and the lack of constructive activity is soul destroying.
Proversb 1.5 the man of understanding will aquire skill.
The ability to undertake hard contact sports so one can thrive on the rough and tumble of life; train one’s mind to aquire knowledge, reason aquire skill; produces a person secure in their knowledge they can support themselves and defend themselves intellectually and physically. This produces a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually refined, resilient,robust, balanced and grounded person who finds any extremism as rather absurd.
Nazism, Communism, Islamicism and Wokism are attractive to the insecure, inadequate and those with inferiority complexes.
In short the Renaissance Gentleman and Lady can securely smile with amusement on the antics of extremists, who know not to push their luck with them because they can defend themselves.
Since 1945, how much noise and activity is due to people being “Empty vessels?” Name one figure since 1945 who could be said to manifest the Renaissance person ?
Again, I largely agree but you’re overselling it by quite a bit. Some rugby players, boxers, American football players, etc. are quite brutal and dull-witted, I think rather more so for their undue emphasis on “hard contact” and physical dominance. Literal brain injury frequently occurs. And some men of diminutive stature have a so-called Napoleon complex.
Probably unfair of me to call James Madison “a weakling” as he was generally in good health and lived to be 85 (1751-1836). It’s fair to point out that he had about 100 slaves to do his much of the rough and dirty work for him though.
I’m glad to have worked in the family construction business and to have played competitive sports, though not the roughest kind. I was pretty good though I peaked as a competitive athlete around age 12-14, in baseball and what we Americans call “soccer”. I’ve been in several fist fights, both as a child and adult, largely occasioned by running my mouth (imagine that) or getting so enraged that those who aren’t intimidated are sometimes provoked themselves. (As an adult, drinking was often a factor too). I guess those experiences were “character building”, but pointless and regrettable too. I do know that I can take, and sometimes throw, a good punch.
I don’t think Renaissance men were common in any era, but I’d nominate the American songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson (born 1936). He played college rugby and (US) football at a standout level and was an elite pilot in the Army. He also published short stories in the Atlantic as a teen, was a Rhodes Scholar (winning a “Blue” for boxing while at Oxford). All this in addition to his more famous calling as a successful songwriter (“Me and Bobby McGhee, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Help Me Make it Through the Night”, etc.), one highly admired by fellow musicians. And, I’ll admit, he’s just an ok film actor. To see him, especially as a younger man, you’d think he was a rugged and plainspoken guy, which for the most part he is.
I certainly think adolescent boys or young men should know how to swing a hammer, kick a ball, and throw a punch (if it comes to that), but there’s no arm wrestling Pulitzer or track-and-field portion of the Nobel Prize.
And where do girls and women fit into this, if at all? I mean this as a real question. I admit it seems wrong for most of them to box, but a more robust physical health wouldn’t hurt, especially among these ever-more-indoor younger generations.
I agree that the worst “isms” attract unfit and neurotic people, but not only. Their ranks are filled out by strong and highly conditioned young people who carry out the commands of the sickly weirdos in charge, with their inferiority complexes that have mutated into megalomania.
There are some kind, courageous, and well-adjusted people who were never well-conditioned or strong in body. And not every physical weakling becomes a basket case or vengeful neurotic. (Please excuse this extra long post. I always appreciate these exchanges).
I appreciate your posts. What is important is to be secure in the knowledge with one’s abilities and resist the siren calls of extremism.
I never said contact sports on their own, I said the mind and the body has to be tempered. This way one can defend one’s position intellectually and physically and ridicule the calls of the extremists.
The girls public schools were physically tough, especially the boarding ones, ; cold dorms, ballet, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and swimming.
If one looks at the French Revolution, Russian, Nazis and Iranian , intellectuals persuaded thugs to use their liking for violence for a politcal cause, hence the murders.
The sports field is great leveller. It is difficult to look down on others when one is covered in freezing cold mud and one has been tackled by two others and wondering if there are any broken bones. Then shaking hands with those one has played against and drinking with them to show there are no hard feelings means one does not hold a grudge.
British public and grammar used to train the mind and the body. Often each sport would have three to four teams which would play other schools and then there were the house teams. Consequently, everyone played sport whether they liked it it not. Universities would take take people who played sport preferentially over those who did not. The ultimate accolade was to earn a colours and first or even a double colours , say rugby and cricket.
Someone who is cheerful, has a sense of humour, is resilient and robust both physically and mentally, is emotionally stable and can enjoy the rough and tumble of life is unlikely to have an inferiority complex, be resentful, spiteful and sly. Consequently it is very difficult to be manipulated by extremists but can also defeat them intellectually and physically. In short, an immune system which defeats extremism.
I would suggest extremism is a pathogen which can only take over the body politic when the immune system is weak.
I like all of that, Charles. I would only suggest that you might be making too general an extrapolation based on your own moderate and robust makeup (according to my estimate). Some elite athletes are extremists, either in on-field meanness that extends to off-hours or political activism.
But not many. You know I like to find exceptions, most of which don’t undermine the general validity of your claims, including:
mens sana in corpore sano
I like all of that, Charles. I would only suggest that you might be making too general an extrapolation based on your own moderate and robust makeup (according to my estimate). Some elite athletes are extremists, either in on-field meanness that extends to off-hours or political activism.
But not many. You know I like to find exceptions, most of which don’t undermine the general validity of your claims, including:
mens sana in corpore sano
I appreciate your posts. What is important is to be secure in the knowledge with one’s abilities and resist the siren calls of extremism.
I never said contact sports on their own, I said the mind and the body has to be tempered. This way one can defend one’s position intellectually and physically and ridicule the calls of the extremists.
The girls public schools were physically tough, especially the boarding ones, ; cold dorms, ballet, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and swimming.
If one looks at the French Revolution, Russian, Nazis and Iranian , intellectuals persuaded thugs to use their liking for violence for a politcal cause, hence the murders.
The sports field is great leveller. It is difficult to look down on others when one is covered in freezing cold mud and one has been tackled by two others and wondering if there are any broken bones. Then shaking hands with those one has played against and drinking with them to show there are no hard feelings means one does not hold a grudge.
British public and grammar used to train the mind and the body. Often each sport would have three to four teams which would play other schools and then there were the house teams. Consequently, everyone played sport whether they liked it it not. Universities would take take people who played sport preferentially over those who did not. The ultimate accolade was to earn a colours and first or even a double colours , say rugby and cricket.
Someone who is cheerful, has a sense of humour, is resilient and robust both physically and mentally, is emotionally stable and can enjoy the rough and tumble of life is unlikely to have an inferiority complex, be resentful, spiteful and sly. Consequently it is very difficult to be manipulated by extremists but can also defeat them intellectually and physically. In short, an immune system which defeats extremism.
I would suggest extremism is a pathogen which can only take over the body politic when the immune system is weak.
Again, I largely agree but you’re overselling it by quite a bit. Some rugby players, boxers, American football players, etc. are quite brutal and dull-witted, I think rather more so for their undue emphasis on “hard contact” and physical dominance. Literal brain injury frequently occurs. And some men of diminutive stature have a so-called Napoleon complex.
Probably unfair of me to call James Madison “a weakling” as he was generally in good health and lived to be 85 (1751-1836). It’s fair to point out that he had about 100 slaves to do his much of the rough and dirty work for him though.
I’m glad to have worked in the family construction business and to have played competitive sports, though not the roughest kind. I was pretty good though I peaked as a competitive athlete around age 12-14, in baseball and what we Americans call “soccer”. I’ve been in several fist fights, both as a child and adult, largely occasioned by running my mouth (imagine that) or getting so enraged that those who aren’t intimidated are sometimes provoked themselves. (As an adult, drinking was often a factor too). I guess those experiences were “character building”, but pointless and regrettable too. I do know that I can take, and sometimes throw, a good punch.
I don’t think Renaissance men were common in any era, but I’d nominate the American songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson (born 1936). He played college rugby and (US) football at a standout level and was an elite pilot in the Army. He also published short stories in the Atlantic as a teen, was a Rhodes Scholar (winning a “Blue” for boxing while at Oxford). All this in addition to his more famous calling as a successful songwriter (“Me and Bobby McGhee, “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, “Help Me Make it Through the Night”, etc.), one highly admired by fellow musicians. And, I’ll admit, he’s just an ok film actor. To see him, especially as a younger man, you’d think he was a rugged and plainspoken guy, which for the most part he is.
I certainly think adolescent boys or young men should know how to swing a hammer, kick a ball, and throw a punch (if it comes to that), but there’s no arm wrestling Pulitzer or track-and-field portion of the Nobel Prize.
And where do girls and women fit into this, if at all? I mean this as a real question. I admit it seems wrong for most of them to box, but a more robust physical health wouldn’t hurt, especially among these ever-more-indoor younger generations.
I agree that the worst “isms” attract unfit and neurotic people, but not only. Their ranks are filled out by strong and highly conditioned young people who carry out the commands of the sickly weirdos in charge, with their inferiority complexes that have mutated into megalomania.
There are some kind, courageous, and well-adjusted people who were never well-conditioned or strong in body. And not every physical weakling becomes a basket case or vengeful neurotic. (Please excuse this extra long post. I always appreciate these exchanges).
It is not size, it is spirit which manifests through a person being innovative and displaying fortitude by which a person becomes resileint, robust and resolute in body and mind. Nelson being a good example of innovation and fortitude though being small.
Orwell , as did Kipling, respected practical people, who undertook constructive work.
I think there is something which enriches the soul when one can point to constructive work one has achieved and the lack of constructive activity is soul destroying.
Proversb 1.5 the man of understanding will aquire skill.
The ability to undertake hard contact sports so one can thrive on the rough and tumble of life; train one’s mind to aquire knowledge, reason aquire skill; produces a person secure in their knowledge they can support themselves and defend themselves intellectually and physically. This produces a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually refined, resilient,robust, balanced and grounded person who finds any extremism as rather absurd.
Nazism, Communism, Islamicism and Wokism are attractive to the insecure, inadequate and those with inferiority complexes.
In short the Renaissance Gentleman and Lady can securely smile with amusement on the antics of extremists, who know not to push their luck with them because they can defend themselves.
Since 1945, how much noise and activity is due to people being “Empty vessels?” Name one figure since 1945 who could be said to manifest the Renaissance person ?
I mostly agree with that. (Am I through the looking glass now?). Material conditions are often dwarfed in importance by health, purpose, and a sense of belonging. If wholesome belonging is not available, people will find malignant versions of community.
As to physical hardihood–now or then–in a politician? A plus, not a need. Henry VIII was an impressive athlete as a young man, as was Gerald Ford. James Madison was something of a tiny weakling (5″ 3′), but an impressive statesman.
What benefits society is not always apparent to at first glance, or in the short run. I think the writings of Orwell and William Blake provide net social (and other) benefits, but few of their contemporaries would have called them “useful”. Nor is value, as you know, reducible to mere use.
Thank you. Reading Orwell was a revelation; he showed character influenced politics. Birds of a feather flock together. or as the feminists say ” The personal is the political “.The Devil provides mischief for idle hands.
When adult politicians are desperate to show their fitness it is absurd; they should be able to point to their ohysical achievements pre thirties.
If young people are pushed physically, mentally and artistically so they are exhausted by the evenings they will not cause mischief. Fit, skilled people who can find interesting and well paid work tend be cheerful and are of benefit to society. I think many of the problems which are written about on Unherd are because people are unfilled on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
I respect that. You always have something of substance to offer-wish I could claim that for myself–and some recommendations of interest too. I strongly agree that at some fundamental level we are largely unchanged since Whenever.
I don’t have total faith in your rugby and rough-play approach to social, physical, and mental health, but it certainly could only help. And at least you are proposing a remedy instead of indulging in catastrophe-talk or lamentations about the kids, politicians, etc. these days.
Thank you . I never say the past is good: I say lets learn from it. Humans are much the same as they were when Sumer created the first civilisation 5500 years ago and their subsequent rise and fall show similarities which has been noted by Ibn Khaldun, Arnold Toynbee, C Northcote Parkinson and John Glubb.
TOP 24 QUOTES BY IBN KHALDUN | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
The USA shows much similarities to Rome post 350 AD.
There is a phrase in boxing ” Train hard, fight easy”. Since the 1960s the middle and upper class have wanted success by training easy and we can see the results.
Alexander the Great had his mind tempered by Aristotle and his bod tempered in the gymnasium which would have included pankration. What of those who attend the wealthiest universites in the West ?
I usually like your posts, and this one no exception, but you have a consistent blind spot. Nostalgia is not as good as it used to be, The ever-so-better past age you celebrate never quite existed in the way you frame it
Most crime comes to SF from across the bay on BART.
You really think that settles the argument AJ Mac?
Oh well, try this troublesome fact from recent history: back in 2010 The Daily Telegraph used the Freedom of Information act to press the London Metropolitan Police to release crime data it had been withholding. That data showed that for the period 2009-2010, with London’s black population at just over 10% of the total, over 50% of males who committed street crimes, robberies and gun crimes in that period were black. Note: it required an FOI request to have that data made public â presumably because the figures didn’t sit well with the cheery pro-multicultural stance of our establishment. Violent crime in London’s black communities continues to grow.
For some good dissident number crunching on this issue as it applies in the US you might try reading Steve Sailer’s column and blog â or would that jar with your Left-liberal sensibilities?
The way to murder rates is the international method of murders per 100,000 of the population.
List of cities by homicide rate – Wikipedia
The next questions are where do wealthy members of the Democrat Party live, how secure are their homes and where do they send their children to school?
Even in inner city areas there can be pockets of affluent very secure homes, a few hundred metres away from violence stricken housing. The Georgian Terraces of Islington are very pleasant and Labour MPs manage to get their children into DAO which used to be in the borough and is now in affluent Potters Bar.
Dame Alice Owen’s School â Founded 1613 (damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk)
The reality is that one can obtain a high salary and pension, paid for by the taxpayer in a city working for the state, yet crime soars and educational standards collapse
I would have more time for Democrat/labour members if they lived in the most violent areas and sent their children to the worse schools.
The murder rate can hide much. Often crime is found within a few blocks. An example is Chicago; there are few murders within the university yet other areas have 7 times more than other areas.
Crime in Chicago – Wikipedia
At Independence, Ceylon was poor, they could not afford to fund health and education. They chose education. The teacher carried a blackboard and cycled between villages. The school was under the large tree, the children were barefoot yet some obtained 7 O Levels including Latin. A similar story for South India( Kerala), Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The slums created because of rapid industrialisation during the Napoleonic Wars meant that conditions were horrendous. Bradford went from 6,000 in 1800 to120,000 in 1850s yet through the hard work of many conditions were improved.
The issue for the West is that we have turned away from self improvement as supported by Keir Hardie, Booker T Washington, Churchill, J Kennedy and Dr M L King. In the 1960s the Democrat and Labour Party gave up on The Bible, especially Proverbs, as preached by Non Conformist, Methodist and Baptists and took up Cultural Marxism as promoted by the Frankfurt School, Gramsci, Saul Alinsky, Herbert Marcuse and post Modernist Marxists.
If one reads Proverbs, words used frequently are : wisdom, instruction,well- instructed intelligence, righteousness, justice, probity, shrewdness, knowledge, aquire skill, fools scorn wisdom and discipline, avoid criminals, etc.
In the 1960s Motown had a teacher of etiquette now much rap glorifies gang violence and contempt for women. The murders of J Kennedy, Dr M L king and R Kennedy enabled the cultural marxists to take over the Democratic Party and the results are there to be seen.
Would it be ever so off-topic of me to mention that San Francisco is 5% black, less than half the nationwide average of 12.5%?
Would it be terribly far-right of me to draw attention to the briefly mentioned fact (13th paragraph) that the population of Washington DC is 45% black? Odd that John Masko mentions this fact merely to draw attention to the number of victims of gun crime. Perpetrators? Read between the lines.
As the federal capital, Washington DC is home to the supposedly best and brightest political thinkers in the land – 92% of whom vote Democrat. With such an intellectual powerhouse behind it, it should be the shining beacon of good governance.
That it is not, points to large empirical proof of the failure of modern political thought and education of those intellectual classes. The proof is in the eating, and the eating says it doesn’t work.
So then task the schools of politics to discard what they think they know, and to find stuff that actually works – and then teach politics as a practical subject of good governance, not a theory of some idealised future state.
What is your favorite era of political thought and what societies did such thought reflect or produce? I don’t even disagree with most of your opinions here, but nothing you’ve claimed is empirical. let alone dispositively established. You must know that.
What is your favorite era of political thought and what societies did such thought reflect or produce? I don’t even disagree with most of your opinions here, but nothing you’ve claimed is empirical. let alone dispositively established. You must know that.
As the federal capital, Washington DC is home to the supposedly best and brightest political thinkers in the land – 92% of whom vote Democrat. With such an intellectual powerhouse behind it, it should be the shining beacon of good governance.
That it is not, points to large empirical proof of the failure of modern political thought and education of those intellectual classes. The proof is in the eating, and the eating says it doesn’t work.
So then task the schools of politics to discard what they think they know, and to find stuff that actually works – and then teach politics as a practical subject of good governance, not a theory of some idealised future state.
One of the most astonishing things about the collapse of American civilization – especially but not exclusively in the cities – is that it is happening in real time in full view of everyone, almost no one denies it, and yet the people directly responsible – the Democratic Party – go blithely along leaving destruction their wake and insisting what is needed is even MORE of their chaotic policies. It is shocking.
The Democrats go blithely along leaving destruction in their wake seemingly with the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box. They can’t confer legitimacy on themselves by dictat, but as a concerned observer from the other side of the Atlantic, i’d ask: is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans, much in the same way as the incompetence of the Tory administration in the UK will give way to Labour?
“is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans”
Thank you. As with the Federal Government, where Biden is POTUS for one reason: decent people will refuse to vote for Trump point-blank. One hates to chose between senility and a wanabe dictator, but it sorta has to be the senile old fool — at least there will be another election. If either party offered the electorate moderation and competence they’d win a landslide.
‘Wannabe dictator’? Biden just tried to unilaterally cancel trillions of dollars in debt owed to the taxpayer by (disproportionately) Biden voters.
Trump’s a blowhard egomaniac but as far as which of these two buffoons has done more to violate Constitutional norms, it’s not even close.
Trump did a lot more damage.
Like what?
Tried to overturn the will of the electorate. Has a fake-ass charitable foundation that makes the Clinton Foundation seem squeaky clean. Worsened our nation’s standing around the world. Is too terrible a person to even pay tradespeople, let alone lead a nation. Is a greedy, silver-spoon dirt-bag–and I would not use such a term lightly–that somehow P.T. Barnum-ed the credulous public into believing he’s on the side of regular people. I could certainly go on, but that should be enough
Tried to overturn the will of the electorate. Has a fake-ass charitable foundation that makes the Clinton Foundation seem squeaky clean. Worsened our nation’s standing around the world. Is too terrible a person to even pay tradespeople, let alone lead a nation. Is a greedy, silver-spoon dirt-bag–and I would not use such a term lightly–that somehow P.T. Barnum-ed the credulous public into believing he’s on the side of regular people. I could certainly go on, but that should be enough
Like what?
No, it isn’t close. It’s the guy who tried to “find” thousands of votes in Georgia and riled up a crowd that had a violent faction in his attempt to overturn an election because he lost it. Have a look at this if you’re willing:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/trump-plans-2025.html
Trump did a lot more damage.
No, it isn’t close. It’s the guy who tried to “find” thousands of votes in Georgia and riled up a crowd that had a violent faction in his attempt to overturn an election because he lost it. Have a look at this if you’re willing:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/trump-plans-2025.html
Absolutely!! In the US we’re craving a viable alternative to Biden or Trump. It’s truly heartbreaking to not have some one with vision and integrity to vote for, rather than the old white farts.
Amen. Well said, Claire. I appreciate your principled outspokenness, though it is sometimes pointed at me.
Amen. Well said, Claire. I appreciate your principled outspokenness, though it is sometimes pointed at me.
The only dictatorship has been the power behind the dementia patient puppet. We donât need moderates at this point because they are not strong enough. Seriously, the country wonât survive another 4 years of open borders and codified DEI.
No we need more extremism and hardheartedness. Not to worry though, we’ve got you and others of your ilk.
No we need more extremism and hardheartedness. Not to worry though, we’ve got you and others of your ilk.
‘Wannabe dictator’? Biden just tried to unilaterally cancel trillions of dollars in debt owed to the taxpayer by (disproportionately) Biden voters.
Trump’s a blowhard egomaniac but as far as which of these two buffoons has done more to violate Constitutional norms, it’s not even close.
Absolutely!! In the US we’re craving a viable alternative to Biden or Trump. It’s truly heartbreaking to not have some one with vision and integrity to vote for, rather than the old white farts.
The only dictatorship has been the power behind the dementia patient puppet. We donât need moderates at this point because they are not strong enough. Seriously, the country wonât survive another 4 years of open borders and codified DEI.
Yes. Like the Tories, the Republicans are not race realists, so they just passively go along with the Democratsâ anti-white policies and coddling of blacks.
The typical conservative Republican knows all about the disasters that are our black-run Democratic voting cities, but has nothing to offer as solutions other than preaching about absent-fathers, promoting âOpportunity Zonesâ and quoting Martin Luther King.
Like the Tories they are TERRIFIED to talk about race. Theyâd rather their constituentsâ daughters be assaulted on the streets than mention the word.
And the conditions described by the race-oblivious author of this article are nothing new. They have been the status quo in Americaâs urban government schools for decades. Ignore the violence, ignore the lack of learning, just pass them through and blame racism.
While the GOP sings âEbony and Ivoryâ in unison.
Everything you post is straight up terrible. You are a simplistic racist in the worst American tradition.
*Who’s your favorite Confederate hero: Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis?
So no answer? To mix it up let me throw notorious antebellum racist John C. Calhoun into the mix. Maybe he’s your favorite.
So no answer? To mix it up let me throw notorious antebellum racist John C. Calhoun into the mix. Maybe he’s your favorite.
Everything you post is straight up terrible. You are a simplistic racist in the worst American tradition.
*Who’s your favorite Confederate hero: Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis?
It’s less about GOP incompetence than their willing submission to the Progressive control of popular culture in order to keep the press from canceling them. There is no fight in them. But the idea that Trump is a wannabe dictator is just playing the Left’s slander game. If he was, he had four years to try and he made not one move in that direction. Trying to pause the (obviously flawed if not outright manipulated) election was foolish, but no coup.
“is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans”
Thank you. As with the Federal Government, where Biden is POTUS for one reason: decent people will refuse to vote for Trump point-blank. One hates to chose between senility and a wanabe dictator, but it sorta has to be the senile old fool — at least there will be another election. If either party offered the electorate moderation and competence they’d win a landslide.
Yes. Like the Tories, the Republicans are not race realists, so they just passively go along with the Democratsâ anti-white policies and coddling of blacks.
The typical conservative Republican knows all about the disasters that are our black-run Democratic voting cities, but has nothing to offer as solutions other than preaching about absent-fathers, promoting âOpportunity Zonesâ and quoting Martin Luther King.
Like the Tories they are TERRIFIED to talk about race. Theyâd rather their constituentsâ daughters be assaulted on the streets than mention the word.
And the conditions described by the race-oblivious author of this article are nothing new. They have been the status quo in Americaâs urban government schools for decades. Ignore the violence, ignore the lack of learning, just pass them through and blame racism.
While the GOP sings âEbony and Ivoryâ in unison.
It’s less about GOP incompetence than their willing submission to the Progressive control of popular culture in order to keep the press from canceling them. There is no fight in them. But the idea that Trump is a wannabe dictator is just playing the Left’s slander game. If he was, he had four years to try and he made not one move in that direction. Trying to pause the (obviously flawed if not outright manipulated) election was foolish, but no coup.
The Democrats go blithely along leaving destruction in their wake seemingly with the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot box. They can’t confer legitimacy on themselves by dictat, but as a concerned observer from the other side of the Atlantic, i’d ask: is this due to the incompetence (or other factors) of the Republicans, much in the same way as the incompetence of the Tory administration in the UK will give way to Labour?
One of the most astonishing things about the collapse of American civilization – especially but not exclusively in the cities – is that it is happening in real time in full view of everyone, almost no one denies it, and yet the people directly responsible – the Democratic Party – go blithely along leaving destruction their wake and insisting what is needed is even MORE of their chaotic policies. It is shocking.
Giuliani did a brilliant job cleaning up NYC. I lived there, when I was a student, and the difference once he was in charge was astounding. Even my most liberal left wing acquaintances had to admit that all of a sudden you could leave Columbia campus without being attacked. Bloomberg continued the good work, especially reforming the schools. It just takes a couple of lefty Democrats to make the place into a hell hole again.
Giuliani did a brilliant job cleaning up NYC. I lived there, when I was a student, and the difference once he was in charge was astounding. Even my most liberal left wing acquaintances had to admit that all of a sudden you could leave Columbia campus without being attacked. Bloomberg continued the good work, especially reforming the schools. It just takes a couple of lefty Democrats to make the place into a hell hole again.
It is unfair, of course, to blame crime and disorder solely on city government.
Why is it unfair? The article explains the measures the city government has taken to enable criminals so obviously they are largely to blame.
This sort of thing doesnât happen in Seoul, for example.
Funny that you mention Sepul — you might have added Tokyo, anywhere in China, etc. — “diversity” and crime go hand in hand. For complex reasons, people from conflicting cultures do badly together. Those cities (and countries) without “diversity” do much better.
I’ve always known that “diversity our strength” was an outright lie.
Don’t you think it has a lot to do with lack of education?
Of course. Too bad 1930s Germany couldn’t seem to find enough ethnic unity in an nearly all-white country, Jews and Gentiles alike. People should segregate by ethnicity across the globe, a national scale apartheid. Maybe Native Americans can be tolerated though, since they were here first.
I’ve always known that “diversity our strength” was an outright lie.