The Official Bendis Board 2012 Presidential Campaign Thread

[Kedd]

I think the nearest comparison is the relationship between predominately some large, urban, and poorer black/latino communities and police officers. There's a long history of distrust and tension between the groups generously peppered with profiling, violence, and harassment coming from both sides. The relationship is so damaged at this point that cops can barely get a foot hold in sometimes in order to work on serious crime problems even when a majority of the residents want/need their help. there's no trust there based on the abuses of the past.
Investigating the Muslim community in this way implies that the police believe they are all suspects and the revelation of their tactics will do more harm than good as it will drive a rift between the community and the cops, it will make people more hesitant to speak out on topics considered controversial regarding Islam and Muslims, it will drive those that are more likely to be radicalized underground and they will have less exposure to competing ideas and if it goes on long enough a seemingly permanent distrust for police will be ingrained and fostered, shutting the cops out almost completely.

[Ray G.]

I think the nearest comparison is the relationship between predominately some large, urban, and poorer black/latino communities and police officers. There's a long history of distrust and tension between the groups generously peppered with profiling, violence, and harassment coming from both sides. The relationship is so damaged at this point that cops can barely get a foot hold in sometimes in order to work on serious crime problems even when a majority of the residents want/need their help. there's no trust there based on the abuses of the past.
Investigating the Muslim community in this way implies that the police believe they are all suspects and the revelation of their tactics will do more harm than good as it will drive a rift between the community and the cops, it will make people more hesitant to speak out on topics considered controversial regarding Islam and Muslims, it will drive those that are more likely to be radicalized underground and they will have less exposure to competing ideas and if it goes on long enough a seemingly permanent distrust for police will be ingrained and fostered, shutting the cops out almost completely.

Okay, I don't deny that they might have reason to be somewhat suspicious, although I don't think there's anything near as bad a history between the NYPD and Muslim groups as there is in some of those areas you talk about.

I think the NYPD is sort of more concerned with the short term - finding those lone wolves and stopping them - than they are with the long-term. That may not be the best strategy overall, but while yours is better for the long term, it makes the short term a lot trickier, and I don't think they're willing to take the risk.

I'd think the way the city stood up for the peaceful Muslim population in the aftermath of 9/11, and went to bat for them against angry victims' families and outside bigots during the Mosque to-do should earn them a bit of goodwill, though. And the AP's sensationalistic coverage of this is a big reason why it's getting so nasty.

[BriRedfern]

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/21...#storylink=cpy

This should be considered war profiteering and the people responsible should be hanged.

HANGED!!!

[Kedd]

This should be considered war profiteering and the people responsible should be hanged.

HANGED!!!

You're joking right?

[Foolish Mortal]

Are Democrats meddling with Michigan's GOP primary?

The latest ad buy in the Michigan Republican primary battle is from a Democrat -- President Obama.

The president's reelection campaign announced Thursday it is running a new 30-second advertisement in the state, the latest bit of Democratic meddling in the tight GOP contest (see video below).

The spot, the campaign's first single-state ad campaign, touts the Obama administration's bailout of the auto industry by hailing the "grit and sacrifice of Michigan workers."

"When a million jobs were on the line, every Republican candidate turned their back," the ad states. "Even said, 'Let Detroit go Bankrupt.'"

That's a reference to Mitt Romney's 2008 op-ed in which he called for a managed bankruptcy for the troubled Detroit auto giants.

Obama is quoted in the ad saying, "Don't bet against the American auto industry," and "Don't bet against the American worker." The spot will air on broadcast and cable in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint markets.

The political pundits are speculating that Obama is going full attack mode on Romney in Michigan to try and sink him in the primary and bolster Santorum whom they'd rather face in the general election.

[Ray G.]

Are Democrats meddling with Michigan's GOP primary?



The political pundits are speculating that Obama is going full attack mode on Romney in Michigan to try and sink him in the primary and bolster Santorum whom they'd rather face in the general election.

The problem is, by trying to get Santorum, they may wind up with Mitch Daniels or Chris Christie.

[Foolish Mortal]

The problem is, by trying to get Santorum, they may wind up with Mitch Daniels or Chris Christie.

That's assuming the brokered convention scenario happens. The same pundits believe that's going to be harder to pull off than you think. A lot of the same resources and contacts that existed in the 50's and 60's don't exist in 2012.

[BriRedfern]

You're joking right?

Is it "hung"? I always get those two confused.

[Kedd]

Is it "hung"? I always get those two confused.

[Ray G.]

That's assuming the brokered convention scenario happens. The same pundits believe that's going to be harder to pull off than you think. A lot of the same resources and contacts that existed in the 50's and 60's don't exist in 2012.

Yeah, it's a long shot, but if disgust with the field rises enough...

I think Obama's better off just letting it ride. He can probably beat Romney, maybe easily. Trying to help Santorum doesn't make him look good, and also increases the risk of a brokered convention.