Cut the Politics and Fix the City
I’ve had a few days to process through the awful news I recieved Friday afternoon. Through a friend with contacts at Baltimore city’s homicide unit, I was able to find out more disturbing news. My friend was one of multiple similar murders the night of January 13th. He was heading home alone after spending some time with friends in the Power Plant Live! section of Baltimore, famous for its collection of bars and clubs.
Every city has a “pet” slogan, something that captures the vision of the city leadership. Although Baltimore is being called “America’s City” by Mayor Martin O’Malley, it used to be nicknamed “The City that Reads”, a name reflecting the desire for literacy among the city youth.
The City that Reads. Pah! More like The City that Bleeds. My friend became one of what is now 27 murders in the 25 days of 2005. That puts Baltimore on a track for 394 murders in 2005!
The sad element in this whole process is Mayor Martin O’Malley, who denies aspirations of higher office while winking at the Democratic Party but goes through all the political processes to make his name more prominent in the State. He is highly expected to run for Governor of Maryland in 2006 against popular Governor Republican Robert L. Ehrlich.
Since 9/11, O’Malley has padded his proverbial political coffers by denouncing the Bush Administration and its efforts to fight terrorism. He has made trips to Israel in recent weeks with the interest of making his profile as a Homeland Security minded mayor more prominent. He was given a prominent role at this past years DNC to speak to the nations homeland security woes.
But while the mayor’s aspirations are noble, he forgets what he was elected to do – the platform he ran on. In 2002, Mayor O’Malley was elected as mayor on a platform of reducing violent crime and lowering the murder rate to under 200!! In an effort to do so, he first hired Ed Norris as his police chief. During his tenure as Police Chief, Norris settled allegations of misusing a city Police “slush” fund for personal business. It later came out that the allegations were much worse than that and Norris recently was released from a 6 month prison term. After Norris departed from the city to become the State Police Superintendant, O’Malley replaced Norris with New York City Police division commander, Kevin Clark, another ineffective Chief who got into trouble because of an alleged domestic violence incident.
My point is this. The Mayor likes to talk. Sometimes I think he likes to hear himself talk. He whines and cries about everyone else (as long as they are Republicans) – whether it be Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich or Republican President George W. Bush – being at fault for the city problems. This might be a valid argument to make, and acceptable even from the boy mayor, except for the fact that the Mayor has done anything but govern his city. He rants and raves about homeland security and the first line of defense in America, but does nothing to uphold the campaign promises he was elected on. 27 murders in 25 days is unacceptable in any city. Instead of worrying about what the next city is doing, the next state is doing, if he will be living in Annapolis in 2006 or if George W. Bush is spending enough money on homeland security, O’malley should be worrying himself with CUTTING THE CRIME RATE!
Personally, I am tired of hearing about families being firebombed and killed because they ratted a drug dealer out. I’m tired of hearing that violent crime offenders are being released on their own recognizance because witnesses won’t testify. I’m tired of politcs ruling the judicial system to the point that violent crime is not prosecuted.
Let me be bold here. Marijuana isn’t killing people, Mayor. People are killing people. Maybe you need to rethink how the war on drugs is prosecuted and go after the killers that run the streets. Until then, Mr. Mayor, you are merely a figurehead in this city. The killers really rule these streets. You just sit in a nice office.
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Written by Aaron Brazell on January 25, 2005
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Aaron Brazell
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The person you really need to go after is Baltimore’s state’s attorney Pat Jessamy. Talk about ineffective…I literally see red when I think about some of the terrible mistakes she’s made while “serving” the city. She’s a poor leader, and certainly not fit to help the citizens of Baltimore reduce the crime rate.
When Police Officer Thomas Newman was murdered (execution-style, no less) she refused to seek the death penalty. I couldn’t believe it — and I’ve disliked her ever since.
The person you really need to go after is Baltimore’s state’s attorney Pat Jessamy. Talk about ineffective…I literally see red when I think about some of the terrible mistakes she’s made while “serving” the city. She’s a poor leader, and certainly not fit to help the citizens of Baltimore reduce the crime rate.
When Police Officer Thomas Newman was murdered (execution-style, no less) she refused to seek the death penalty. I couldn’t believe it — and I’ve disliked her ever since.
Pat Jessamy is an issue, but the mayor runs the city. He was the one willing to make promises. He needs to step up and run the city and not run a gubernatorial setup campaign.
Pat Jessamy is an issue, but the mayor runs the city. He was the one willing to make promises. He needs to step up and run the city and not run a gubernatorial setup campaign.
I am sorry for your loss. I can understand the anger you feel when you see incompetent politicians and city officials not doing what needs to be done for the people of your city. People like you with a great blog like this help put the word out and I hope your posts can make a difference. I am adding you to my blogroll and when I get more time I will direct my few readers to your site personally.
I am sorry for your loss. I can understand the anger you feel when you see incompetent politicians and city officials not doing what needs to be done for the people of your city. People like you with a great blog like this help put the word out and I hope your posts can make a difference. I am adding you to my blogroll and when I get more time I will direct my few readers to your site personally.
Aaron I feel you totally. We have the same issues here in DC. I pass “The Angry Torch” to you. Keep the flame alive.
Good to se you still hanging in there Carol.
Aaron I feel you totally. We have the same issues here in DC. I pass “The Angry Torch” to you. Keep the flame alive.
Good to se you still hanging in there Carol.
Thank you for your kind words, Jody. And thanks for the link. :)
Sean, the difference is, as I said to you privately, you love your city (in your way) and I just quite simply hate mine. :)
Aaron
Thank you for your kind words, Jody. And thanks for the link. :)
Sean, the difference is, as I said to you privately, you love your city (in your way) and I just quite simply hate mine. :)
Aaron
Blog SOUP!
Technosailor gives an impassioned plea to the city officials of Baltimore to Cut the Politics and Fix the City! Even though I’m not from Baltimore (though I will be flying into the airport next week!), I think many of us can relate when our elected …
Blog SOUP!
Technosailor gives an impassioned plea to the city officials of Baltimore to Cut the Politics and Fix the City! Even though I’m not from Baltimore (though I will be flying into the airport next week!), I think many of us can relate when our elected …