Jimmy Carter writes in the New York Times.
And Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle tells it like it is. And before you dismiss a Cook County Board President, consider that Cook County (Chicago) is larger than some 30 states. And in the article there are some very good words from the new Chicago Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy (whom I’ve been impressed with when I’ve heard him speak at John Jay College):
“It becomes the issue of mass incarceration,” he said during an interview…. “There is an issue here. And law enforcement has gotten this wrong. Narcotics use is a criminalized social issue. It causes crime. Drug dealers get into violent disputes over turf. It’s about the money.”
He added: “It’s been so twisted up that law enforcement looks at narcotics as the crime, when it’s not. It’s the cause of the crime. So, we’ve had this wrong for a long time in law enforcement.”
Bold.
Cop Dressed as Clown kills kid.
chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/chibrknews-offduty-cop-dressed-as-a-clown-shoots-kills-teen-20110617,0,5829475.story
Initially sounds like a cop/clown gone bad story, but it ain't.
I wonder what the deceased mugger wanted. The nose or the clown shoes?
Which brings up the classic "Chuckles Bites the Dust" bit/eulogy from the Mary Tyler Moore show:
"Chuckles the Clown brought pleasure to millions. The characters he created will be remembered by children and adults alike: Peter Peanut, Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo, Billy Banana, and my particular favorite, Aunt Yoo Hoo. And not just for the laughter they provided—there was always some deeper meaning to whatever Chuckles did. Do you remember Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo's little catch phrase? Remember how, when his arch rival Señor Kaboom hit him with a giant cucumber and knocked him down, Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo would always pick himself up, dust himself off, and say, 'I hurt my foo-foo'? Life's a lot like that. From time to time we all fall down and hurt our foo-foos. If only we could deal with it as simply and bravely and honestly as Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo. And what did Chuckles ask in return? Not much. In his own words, 'A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.'"