With respect to BLM: What would Rudy do?

AP Photo - Sue Ogrocki

AP Photo – Sue Ogrocki

Listen To You Tell Me Texas Friday 7/15/16

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Rudy Giuliani, one of the most effective political leaders of our generation and arguably the best mayor in New York City history, was widely condemned for his policing policies – most particularly as those policies pertained to African-Americans.

In a continuation of policies from his predecessor, Giuliani cracked down hard on crimes that had previously been largely ignored by New York police – crimes such as graffiti, petty theft, vandalism, aggressive panhandling and other relatively minor offenses committed disproportionately by young black men in black neighborhoods.

Giuliani was – predictably – branded a racist. New York’s most vocal professional race hustler – the “Reverend” Al Sharpton – was relentless in his attacks on Giuliani.

For his part, Giuliani dealt with Sharpton in the simplest way possible. He didn’t. He froze Sharpton out. “I’m not dealing with him,” Giuliani said.

Giuliani refused to give Sharpton the satisfaction. He denied Sharpton the legitimacy he would have otherwise enjoyed had he gained an audience with the mayor of New York City.

By the end of Giuliani’s administration, crime in New York City was at historic lows. Despite being out of office for nearly 15 years, Rudy’s legacy lives. New York City today is one of the safest large cities in America. (Worth noting, however, is the sad fact that crime is again on rise in the Big Apple under far-left mayor Bill de Blasio.)

Contrast Giuliani’s approach regarding Al Sharpton with that of President Obama and Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter – like Al Sharpton – has gained the standing and credibility attendant to having been welcomed to the White House by the President of the United States. The organization (movement? cult?) deserves no such recognition. Giuliani is correct in his characterization of Black Lives Matter as “inherently racist.”

Giuliani isn’t alone in his condemnation. David Clarke, the African-American, Democratic sheriff of Milwaukee County said,

Black Lives Matter has no more to do with black issues than Students for a Democratic Society had to do with Democracy. They are means to an end, and they use the black population as sacrifices for their goals.”

It took courage and clarity of purpose for Giuliani to pursue his policing policies in the face of withering criticism. But Giuliani’s clarity paid off in the thousands of black lives that have since been saved by the dramatic reduction in violent crime in New York.

Similar clarity is now called for in the face of the Black Lives Matter movement – clarity we are unlikely to see from the White House.

If Black Lives Matter gets its way, violence will only increase and many lives – including black lives – will be lost. Responsible and intellectually honest political leaders – white and black – must renounce the implicit endorsement of racism and violence by Black Lives Matter and its adherents. The simplest such renunciation would be to follow Giuliani’s example as it pertained to Al Sharpton.

Which is to say, don’t legitimize a virulently racist group like Black Lives Matter by inviting them to the White House.

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Paul Gleiser

Paul L. Gleiser is president of ATW Media, LLC, licensee of radio stations KTBB 97.5 FM/AM600, 92.1 The TEAM FM in Tyler-Longview, Texas.

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3 Responses

  1. Richard Anderson says:

    Black citizens of goodwill who cherish the AMERICA way of life and opportunity to succeed, must not fall for the charlatans who are “selling” BLM as a legitimate group looking out for their interests. They are only out for themselves, nobody else, sowing the seeds of discord to anyone who will “buy into” their false narrative. The best way, is “the American way” working together in unity as Americans, as “one nation under God,” together, for a brighter future for all.

  2. Linda E Montrose says:

    The likes of al sharpton and jesse jackson have made their living sowing the seeds of discontent among the very people they are supposedly there to help. They have made their livings off the backs of the black people they are supposed to be helping. Instead have been helping themselves. They are con men who have set back race relations back at least 100 years! What I would like to know is this…why do they think that black lives matter more than other folk? Personally, I think all lives matter equally…or SHOULD! Rudy did the right thing in the way he handled his City. He didn’t fall victim to the race baiting and showed people how true law enforcement works. The ones who were causing the problems were dealt with. As it should be. Rudy’s example is a good one and should be followed! We would all be the better for it and a lot safer.

  3. R. Eagleman says:

    It is infuriating to witness these BLM protesters blocking traffic and insulting the very people who are protecting them. When the cowardly shooter in Dallas was sniping at the police, these vermin were scurrying away like the rats that they are; at the same time, the police officers were running toward the danger like the heroes that they are. I have a simple solution that has been offered many times, but thus far has not been accepted: complimentary one-way tickets to the cesspool homeland of those who sold their ancestors into slavery. Maybe Robert Mugabe will show them what real police brutality looks like, and then they can get on their knees and pray that they can once again escape, no matter how. I understand that slavery is still a common practice in Africa; I also understand that “Delta is ready when you are”!

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