Posted on 04/28/2015 5:24:47 AM PDT by Citizen Zed
"I'll say the very blatant mischaracterization of my words was not helpful today," Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake told a news conference Monday night, as fires burned and hundreds of "thugs" (the mayor's word) looted and destroyed her city.
She called it "unfortunate" that the media "decided to mischaracterize my words and tried to use it as a way to say that we were inciting violence."
Rawlings-Blake made the comment after a reporter suggested that her own words on Saturday may have contributed to the problem.
On Saturday night, after violence began to escalate in Baltimore, the mayor said she was working with police to make sure they protected the protesters' right to free speech:
"It's a very delicate balancing act, because while we tried to make sure that they (protestors) were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well, Rawlings-Blake said. We worked very hard to keep that balance and put ourselves in the best position to de-escalate, and thats what you saw.
On Monday night, Rawlings-Blake explained, "I was asked a question about the property damage that was done, and in answering that question, I made it very clear that we walk a -- we balance a very fine line between giving protesters -- peaceful protesters -- space to protest.
"What I said is, in doing so, people can hijack that and use that space for bad. I did not say that we were accepting of it; I did not say that we were passive to it. I was just explaining how property damage can happen during a peaceful protest.
"And it's very unfortunate that members of your industry decided to mischaracterize my words and tried to use it as a way to say that we were inciting violence. There's no such thing."
Mayor's priority was 'measured' and 'appropriate response'
Later Monday night, Rawlings-Blake told CNN she was "very measured" in her response to Monday's out-of-control violence, because, "We see what happened in jurisdictions that overreacted and brought in resources that escalated the violence on the street, and I didn't want that to happen in Baltimore.
"We wanted to make sure we had the appropriate response to what was going on on the ground. And when we saw that the breakout violence in the small groups --we realized that it was time to bring in additional resources, and I'm very grateful for the governor's cooperation."
(Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) says he called out the National Guard within "30 seconds" of getting the request from Rawlings-Blake on Monday night, many hours after the looting first started.)
CNN's Don Lemon noted that some people think the rioting was allowed to get out of control and that the looters were "given way too much leeway."
"It is a very delicate balancing act to make sure you protect people's right to free speech their right to protest," Rawlings-Blake responded. "The fact that people exploited the opportunity to protest, with violence and looting, doesn't mean that I don't have a duty to protect people's right to be heard.
"What I said very clearly was, when you...facilitate space for people to be heard -- that space was exploited by those who meant to do harm to our city. that's what I was saying, very clearly. And when the protesters got out of hand, and started to destroy property, we did -- we used best practices -- the way the officers are trained to make sure that we are focusing on those that were doing the damage, and also working to not escalate.
"We have seen all over the country, and throughout our history, what happens when you use too much force to respond to an incident. It escalates and it can be a lot worse. I didn't want that for my city. We worked very hard to contain this, and to do it in a way that doesn't turn Baltimore into a military state."
Instead, the rioting has turned parts of Baltimore into a pile of burned-out rubble.
She can crawfish all she wants to. Her words are on tape with her speaking them. Also, on a previous thread, a comment was made about her being a lawyer. She is an Affirmative Action lawyer. Her degree as far as her knowledge of the law goes, don’t mean shit. It was given to for who she is, not her demonstrated knowledge through testing. Same the bar exam. Therefore, if the idiots of Baltimore, a/k/a voters want her as their leader, fine.
I don’t necessarily believe the “bussed in” memo. Sounds like more buck-passing from people who refuse to deal with problems at home.
I’m not saying it doesn’t happen but I believe the majority were young men from the ‘hood.
Yeah, the Mayor specifically lamented how difficult it had been to convince CVS to open a store there.
The sad truth is that what happened in Baltimore last night, and Ferguson before it, is the product of a couple generations of anger and hatred deliberately fostered to achieve political goals. The ability to lift those areas out of poverty, rebuilding the lost family dynamic, strengthening the community and instilling morals and values exists. It’s just not politically convienient for those in power to try to do so.
What’s happened is that the political elites have cut loose forces they can’t control, don’t even have plans to control. It’s like the old saying that you dont stomp on the dragon’s tail without having a plan to deal with it’s teeth.
Democrats do not know when they lie, Mt FRiend, lying is in their DNA. They are incapable of being truthful. They lie when the truth would suit their cause better. It is easier for a leopard to change its spots than for a Democrat to tell the truth.
I heard her words from her own mouth. She was not being paraphrased or interpreted. It was her voice , her words, her speaking. There was no room for misunderstand what she was saying. that one, she owns.
They also burned down a senior housing construction project and attacked the fire department when they tried to put the fires out.
“It’s a very delicate balancing act, because while we tried to make sure that they (protestors) were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well, Rawlings-Blake said. We worked very hard to keep that balance and put ourselves in the best position to de-escalate, and thats what you saw.
I think her comment makes sense. SHe probably did not choose her words carefully, but in essence she said while protecting the protestors, we allow people posing as protestors to take advantage of the situation.
No way an intelligent person would say we gave the looters room to loot.
Come people...back off. You too, Rush.
Well, the hood isn’t really the hood.
There are actually lots of small neighborhoods that fit together like panels on a quilt.
I dont have any problem believing that the rioters left their own neighborhoods and went two or three neighborhoods over to rampage.
I also have no problem believing that it was all well-organized and “controlled”. Washingon Post has a column up by a white female journalist who went into the riot zone, had her smartphone stolen and was knocked down and nearly attacked by brick and bottle armed rioters.
Then a “kid” stepped in, waved the rioters off, promised to get her her phone back and took her to a safe area where other journalists were being held (and protected?)
That SCREAMS “organization”, that there was a leadership cadre fomenting and managing the rioting.
“I was just explaining how property damage can happen during a peaceful protest. “
She just does not know when to stop.
Why can’t people say the simple truth any more
She used a stupid choice of words, just say so
She sounds even stupider trying to walk it back, when we have her actual words on video...
These racists run for office - NOT to serve THE people, but rather, THEIR people.
And when THEIR people get out of control, they have NO idea how to handle it.
I say no more of this.
CONTENT OF CHARACTER FROM NOW ON..
I meant thugs who actually lived in Baltimore (west Baltimore). ‘hood-lums, lol.
Actually, they run for office to serve themselves. See Booker T. Washington’s writings on “Problem Profiteers”
What they end up doing is creating larger social/societal tension (anger, hatred, resentment) that they can’t control (macro level) but which others (like the “kid” from the WaPo article above) can exploit, manipulate and manage on the micro level.
I generally agree with your assessment, but if you don’t think she misspoke, you’re going to have to explain her prefacing the statement with the word “while.” Grammatically, that sets up a contrasting statement. If you don’t believe me, ask an English teacher.
Here’s the transcription of her statement:
“Ive made it very clear that I work with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech. Its a very delicate balancing act, because, while we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well. And we worked very hard to keep that balance and to put ourselves in the best position to deescalate, and thats what you saw.”
You sort of choose to ignore the “also”, an inclusive addition.
bye bye
Wow, you seriously DO need to consult an English teacher.
I heard her say it.
I don’t believe I have seen a “more dumber” politician than this one. That women who slapped her son around needs to find this mayor and give her a proper beating, too.
That woman who slapped her son around needs to be mayor!
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