BLM protesters seek justice, need our support

September 9, 2020

OPINION by PETE EVANS

Boy, lots of BLM stuff going on! I just read Andy Caldwell’s commentary and of course that of Chris Arend. They reflect a lot of local San Luis Obispo County and national mentality. I would like to speak for the other side, those on the side of Law and Order, Peace and Justice.

“Law and Order” you say!, ‘I thought you were one of those bleeding heart commie liberals that we on the right love to berate’. I did, and I am. I would rather be a bleeding heart liberal than a cold hearted, ignorant right wing conservative. My core values, I choose justice over self serving dogma.

Yes, I said Law and Order for that is precisely what BLM and other movements for justice seek. They seek to overthrow the ill gotten power and oppression of the rich and entitled and restore balance and fairness to this nation.

Is it lawful, fair and just for a person of power to brutalize someone of less power? Is it fair to crush the safety, equal treatment by the justice system, livelihood, housing, medical care, access to human services and all else this country has to offer in the name of racism? Is it legal to deny any of human dignity and equal opportunity? Read the constitution, look into your heart.

Can we have any “order’ in our land if many are subjected to denigrating restrictions? All that BLM, Occupy and other movements seek is a balance of power and access to all that this bountiful nation has and should distribute to all its residents equally. We are shamefully far from that objective so the work will go on until we are done. Those of you who can only whine “Law and Order” when your little life is upset by protestors trying to make a point ought to get down there and join in.

We do not have Law and Order when we fear the police, cannot share the same drinking fountain, gain access to fair housing and medical services. We do not have it when communities of color or low income bear the burden of pollution and neglect. Yeah, this is about poor whites too.

I hope to reach those with little or no knowledge or experience with Law and Order and justice in our society. All the entitled white folks, most of whom are not Jewish (all that describes me), have enjoyed opportunities untarnished with hate, oppressive laws, restrictions, and neglect. We have had no reason to be concerned with such things. But justice denied anywhere makes us all less free. All the armchair posturing in the media and posts by those with no credible information is appalling.

I have been an avid follower of U.S. politics since around 1963 when young northerners (many who were Jewish) headed to our southern states to enable voter registration by the disenfranchised (mostly blacks). Some lost their lives in that effort. What were you doing to support fair and equal access to that most basic American right, the right to vote?

More recently, where have you been when BLM and other groups around the world protested against government brutality? Do you support brutality? Probably not, but when perpetrated against ‘those others’ you don’t pay a lot of attention. Why not? Those with brains and hearts protect others because it is the right thing to do, where have you been?

Andy and Chris supposedly support Martin Luther King’s peaceful agitation (to make us aware how benevolent they are) while ignoring the fact those events so many years ago were awkward, inconvenient and made a lot of people mad. The FBI Director illegally investigated MLK as a commie agitator and kept a huge file on him, ignoring the murderers in the South who killed civil rights workers. And when MLK was particularly peaceful none of the ‘powers’ paid any attention. It was only when he got in the face of whitey and insisted on being heard did anything change-and that took years, and created much anger (just like with And and Chris over our local BLM activities) and even then not enough progress was made. Look at the intervening years since he was murdered (1968)- all the discontent, the neglect, the riots out of frustration.

Even then, little was done of consequence. Even then little was done to heal the wounds.

About our local BLM movement and affairs attributed to it. I was an early participant in the marches, less later on. I support them, but do not agree with all the reported events and strategy. I do not support stomping on the flag or screaming at passers by. But I can sure understand the frustration and rage that leads to such efforts.

Even now, 2020, we have a long way to go and what in the hell is wrong with this nation? Why have we not cleaned up this mess decades or 100 years ago?

Those protestors take their time and other resources to try to get some attention to a cancer in our society that most would rather not look at, and we must. Sitting quietly in the park with some signs appealing for justice won’t do anything, they know it-and so do you! Creating change is often messy, awkward and sometimes illegal (since those in power make it so). Hitler rose to power by slowly enabling all his rantings and cruel objectives by creating ‘laws’ to legitimize his efforts.

I have heard some reports that a certain local reporter, who is Jewish, for a prominent news service, was harassed and called a Nazi during his coverage of protests. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Read above where I stated the fact that many Freedom Riders to the South were Jewish.

The ACLU is a bulwark against the forces of evil in this country and is heavily staffed with Jewish lawyers who work like mad for you and me. That historically oppressed group has long been a crucial ally of those who seek justice and freedom. So, BLM people, do not fall into that ditch, do not deride our Jewish citizens. They are your allies (not counting that wormtongue Miller dude who whispers hate and contempt into the ear of trump). Save that hated word/name for those who it fits.

Land of the Free, home of the brave

How about we start acting like that cute phrase we so smugly attribute to our country? Set all people free, be brave in your efforts to achieve that. It is so simple; we in the white majority have benefited from that at the expense of those in the minority (color, money, power-whatever you want to call it).

There is no disputing that, what can be argued is why this and that. Who caused the problem, when, what for, ad infinitum. Let’s focus on fixing the problem, and that is what BLM is trying to do. There might be mistakes and strategies you don’t like. Well, get involved and help guide the movement in the direction you feel is most beneficial.

One huge reason we are in this fix is the vast numbers of politicians (past and present) who have committed crimes- violating their oaths of office. It’s too bad the oaths do not include consequences for those lying bastards.

Want some examples? In one recent event, the impeachment. A large number of Senators stated, before the trial, that they would vote a certain way without regard to any testimony or facts presented. They even voted to deny any testimony from new witnesses. They should all be in jail.

Past politicians voted against the constitution in keeping the poor, people of color, and those without power down and ‘in their place.’ They should all be in jail. Nixon should have spent the rest of his miserable life in jail but because he was a ‘bigshot’ he got off scott free. Trump has pardoned criminals with no right to be free while many thousands languish in prison for the crime of not being his pal. This is not a fair and just society, how long must we wait?

And now dear trolls, crowd on in and vote me into hell.

Pete Evans is a long-time resident of San Luis Obispo.


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It seems you are living in the past? I doubt anyone will be denied a drink at the fountain today!

I was taught if you want the big house and big fancy car, you MuST work hard and make proper finacial decisions. There are no free rides!

Tyler Perry, our newest Billionaire is a perfect example. Our last President is incredibly successful. NO matter your birth standing, you have every opportunity to be successful if you work hard! There are far more grants available for people of color than for whites today. A Lot has changed! But still, ITs about your willingness to work hard and go for goals. Your Drive! Not your color or fiancial birthplace.

What would people do if that RICH guy did not open up a company so many could work and support their families? Hating the Rich guy because he had a Great idea and made alot $ doesn’t make sense! IF you want the BIG bucks, come up with an idea and work towards your goal! The truth is, some are buissness owners and some are workers. But NO One else will prevent you from being the business owner, but yourself.

My Ex is Black & Hispanic & a little Irish. HE did very well. because he worked hard. His sister was racist and blamed the White man. She had the same opportunities as her brother, but chose to be lazy. Instead of going to school, she chose to blame others for her plight. Funny though, she would acuse her brother of being too white! Like what does that mean?? Why buy into the poor me cause I’m black attitude at all?? He hated that part of the Sister he Loved But IT was her choice to do so. She could have been as successful as her brother (and her other sister btw!) Especially here on the west coast, I have not met one person who has that Southern 60’s old mentality. So Go Tell Tiana to stop threatening, and harrassing SLO buisnesses, demanding $, breaking the law, detaining people on the freeway…etc..Her situation with the DA is because of these reasons, Not because she is Black!


We have unfair justice in this country, starting at the top.

Trump was not given a fair trial, he was given a free ride because of the perverted criminality of just over half the Senate; over 51 Senators who violated their oath of office and violated their constitutional responsibilities to render unbiased assessment of the charges. Instead they denied pertinent testimony and voted like the automatons they are, in lockstep with our dictator

And here at the bottom, we see a dedicated young woman being accused of many crimes where she was at most guilty of some poor judgment. In contrast we have all read on this site of the criminal behavior of our Chief of Police and many officers- where are the charges for them?

Will our DA bring charges commensurate with the crimes?


on a local level you are correct (the ship of fools in Washington is beyond contempt on both sides). there is no penalty for sexually assaulting suspects, illegally searching someone’s house, losing one’s gun and claiming it was stolen. the list goes on and on. Does anyone REALLY believe Cantrell started looking to move on this past July? I think its off by a year.


Oh please, the dems mounted (and still are), a multi million dollar campaign against Trump, with team(s) composed of “never Trumpers” and “Trump haters.” After 2-3 years and millions of taxpayer dollars they have nothing, nothing on POTUS except that he is belligerent, cheated on his wife, and has orange hair. OK; but what else is new? A politician that is not a saint, imagine that, shocking. But thats OK as long as the politician is a Democrat, not a Republican.


The answer in all of these investigations is NOTHING, just that the orange man is evil, a Nazi, a racists…bla..bla… bla.


Stop blaming Trump for everything. he ain’t perfect but none of them are, but prior to Covid the Trump administration delivered. The best economy in 60 years..

As for Tiana, she is gonna get what she deserves!


As for the malfeasance of local leaders, I don’t completely disagree with the sentiment above. Good riddance to Chief Cantrell and hopefully mayor Harmon and whomever else in that Ilk.


Justice my ass! They just want the rest of us to pay for their free stuff.


It is not necessarily about a free stuff. Rather it is about a personal responsibility. Scenario 1: I screwed up, but i will do anything to fix it.

Scenario 2: I am beautiful and this is the other’s people’s fault I am a loser.


LIKE THIS! The rich are Welfare Willies! Wise up!

https://time.com/5845116/coronavirus-bailout-rich-richer/


One thing these researchers did not do is normalizing the data between minority owned and non minority owned groups, so they have the same distribution by income, # of employees, types of businesses etc. What looks like a racial bias in awarding PPP loans might well be just a class bias where all little businesses are suffering.

Plus, given some language barriers and fear to show illegal immigrant (employees or owners) also likely played a role, especially for Latino community.


BLM is sabotaging their ”cause”, they are actually creating more hate and animosity and anti-BLM with folks who are moderates.


The cause is working. Racist individuals are coming out of the woodwork as a minority, and being faced with a looking glass, be it protest, or murder by police, or looting, or rioting. This is a ripple turned into a tsunami.


Yeppers, haven’t seen such an unveiling of racists, sexists and homophobes since the George Wallace Presidential campaign in 1972. This is a good thing. But there are also other bigotries, including bigotries against those that have traditional values and lifestyles. We all need to be more tolerant, accepting, open minded, kind.


If BLM wants respect, they should start by respecting the citizens of SLO. If you look at the video of their protests, they are not showing respect for us. Respect is earned not demanded. So NO I am not going to give them my support because they do not support anything or anyone that has made this town a desirable place to live.


Fundamental problem of BLM and their allies is that one cannot get much support by starting with “you all are racists and got your privilege on our backs”. It does not matter whether this statement is actually true or wrong, whether systemic racism exists or it is an invention of “communist professors”. Just not the right way. If you start a family conversation with “you bastard”, how smoothly do you think it will go?

Is there a social justice problem? Definitely. Concerns about brutality? Absolutely!

However, the right way of moving forward is by finding solutions that do not appear to be personally attacking people whose support you are seeking.

Better police training and accountability instead of “defund these brutal racists”.

Creating employment opportunities for people of color without white folks thinking that they will not get this new job or promotion simply because of being white.


Back in the day when they were building hwy 280 in the Bay Area, my Uncle lost his job as a foreman because he was NOT black. He lost his house, was thrown into poverty. For Many years now, opportunities have been given. And for those who stood up and took it, they benefitted. IT’s hard to accept the I’m just poor because I am Black. We are no longer in the 60’s. Opportunities abound! Plus they qualify more than any other race for college grants! No starting life with major debts like the majority of white folk.


Driving through SLO today I saw four very large banners in front of businesses that said, “we are hiring “


Economy is coming back!


Wow, did not think it was possible to best Dell Franklin on rambling, drib style until this came along. Too long, no original thinking. I do not oppose different opinions or ideas, but please , rambling wastes precious time. C minus.


“The biggest threat of national terrorism is Far Right Extremists.” Dept of Homeland Security 2020 Trump Administration. Antifa might have some “criminals” but not Terrorists. Antifa was blown out of proportion to promote political gain- former Trump official states NPR.


Say, in 2020, how many businesses were burned by Far Right Extremists? Terror acts committed?


The only reason Antifa is not “the biggest thread” is that their acts are not classified technically as “terrorism”, even while they create much more damage than far right extremists.


Did you forget the Shootings in El Paso and the religious institutions the last two years, Please remember. They were all Far Right Extremists. Sorry if you dont believe your Gov statistics on hate, terrorism and violence. Most if all Mass Shootings in america were conducted by Far Right Extremists. The KKK is a Far Right Religious organization, specifically republican and christian.


I was asking about this year, not last 2 years. Danger estimation are not based on the old history. I know, I am a data scientist: value of the data deteriorates over time.


Speaking of ancient history, what KKK has to do with this?


Most importantly: please provide a link to “your Gov statistics on hate, terrorism and violence”.

Please and thank you!


Thank you! Read the linked article. Forgetting the reputation of Politico, let’s say they are correct.

Back to my other point: Antifa/BLM actions are not technically the ‘terrorists’. But they cause a lot of damage nevertheless. Criminality trumps the terrorism all the time, as far as damage to people is concerned.


And from the same DHS document quoted by Politico: “Violent extremists almost certainly will continue their efforts to exploit public fears associated with COVID-19 and social grievances driving lawful protests to incite violence, intimidate targets, and promote their violent extremist ideologies”.


Yes Pinot, Far Right Extremists have been infiltrating peaceful protests.


I guess Antifa are in reality “far right extremist infiltrators” :-)


I’d appreciate a response to your question you asked Pinotallday, as I provided a very concrete source of my data I stated. And if you disagree with your Federal Govs terrorist data and its hundred of billion dollar budget, even under Trump, then I’m sorry for you or anyone upset with the truth. Far Right Extremists, Usually White Christian’s, are a larger public threat in America than any other threat, even Nuclear Bombs, Russia or China in terms of unexpected loss of life. You folks here, really need to just look in the mirror, forgive yourself, and open up to love, truth, and justice and make this a better world. Facts hurt temporarily, but life is finite and fragile and gone quickly, but the wounds dont heal. Some people thought the earth was flat, some knew it wasn’t but won them an election, eventually, Karma came around, and set the “Rights wrong” with data and facts.


The only data point in this article is “Among DVE [domestic violent extremist] actors, WSEs [white supremacist extremists] conducted half of all lethal attacks (8 of 16), resulting in the majority of deaths (39 of 48),”. I honestly was expecting more numbers given your reference to “Gov statistics on hate, terrorism and violence”.

Now to the main point. Being a highest terrorism threat does not equate to “largest public threat”. I hope you would agree that COVID or gangs are larger threat to American public than far right extremists. My argument is that Antifa & Co are doing more damage to the public this year than far right extremists. They are just not classified as “terrorist”.


P.S. Completely support “open up to love, truth, and justice and make this a better world.”


These terrorists are so far from Christian values as anyone can get! So saying “Christian” is unsuitable.


Timothy Mc Veigh, Eric Rudolf, Stephen Paddock, Patrick Crusius we’re right wing terrorists that easily come to mind.

Oklahoma City bomber, Atlanta Olympic’s and Abortion clinic bomber, Las Vegas Mass shooter, and El Paso Mass shooter. Could add the guy who shot up Jewish school in SF, or the Charlotte church shooter, or the Proud boi who recently murdered a cop at the Oakland BLM protest hoping to start a race war. I have a few more if you like. It is not hard to come up with examples for you.


There’s one known case thus far of a Antifa affiliated murder that you could point to.. That was last just week. Please offer up a few household names of left based terrorists to support your claim.

Damaged storefronts are insured and rebuilt, while dead people cannot be restored. The two do not compare. So sad that you do.


Surprised you do not mention confederates or Judas (all are definitely the far right extremists).

“Damaged storefronts are insured and rebuilt” tell this to small business owners that tend to be under-insured and non-white.


While you are doing this, tell the same to a family of a former Black cop who was killed while trying to defend a business during a BLM riot.


Yeah go ahead and add Judas to the list, nice add…..and to be clear Jesus was a liberal.

The daughters of the ex-cop who was killed said their father detested Trump, and would not have liked being used as a prop by his new wife—the lone Trump supporter in the family. The daughters said he supported BLM.

I’ll just say that the FBI would agree with me and not you about what groups are a real threat.. Antifa would not make into their top 40 list of domestic terror groups. Those top positions are held by white supremacy organizations whether you like it or not.


“The daughters of the ex-cop who was killed said their father detested Trump, and would not have liked being used as a prop by his new wife—the lone Trump supporter in the family. The daughters said he supported BLM.” What his feelings about Trump have to do with his loss of life during the BLM riot?


“Antifa would not make into their top 40 list of domestic terror groups. Those top positions are held by white supremacy organizations whether you like it or not.” Could you please share the link to the official list of top domestic terror groups? Much appreciated!


Google; The FBI’s 2015 Counterterrorism Policy Directive and Policy Guide….


The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have identified white supremacists as the most lethal domestic terrorist threat to the United States. In recent years, white supremacists have executed deadly rampages in Charleston, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and El Paso, Texas.


Thank you! Googled. Looked through the document, still do not see the “top 40 list of domestic terror groups” you are referring to. I guess I am a bad searcher. Which page of the policy guide?


P.S. A lot of things have changed since 2015….


“Jesus was a liberal”


LOL,


Yes, jesus, he’d probably be labeled an anarchist for his non conforming beliefs, and was, and was killed because of it. Shoot, youd call him a Marxist Socialist as he denounced materialism and organized religion and cared for the poor and disfigured.


Mao


Stalin


Hitler


The Las Vegas shooter Paddock had Antifa material in his possession. He shot at a crowd that was the Trump demographic. Retired FBI agents have stated Andy McCabe (in charge of the FBI at the time) suppressed evidence confirming same.


Google: “vegas shooter antifa” and you will find things like..

Newsweek.. former Trump Official Pushes Conspiracy Theory that ISIS and Antifa Were Involved in Las Vegas Shooting

You won’t find much to support your claim on any legit news site.


They were “Trump’s demographic”? You think lunatics are logical? First mistake.


Oh right, NPR, that bastion of objective critique.


What else competes with the likes of Al jazeera, NPR, NYT? What, Fox news and it’s actors?; theres barely a sprinkle of Journalism on that platform, Plenty of creepy old white men who sexually harass women though, and short skirts for sleezeball viewers to beat off too,. Sorry if you dislike Local and National radio that follows Walter’s Journalistic Integrity. Some people hate the truth because its conflicting with their Ego and Narcissistic ideologies.


Actually, in my opinion/experience NPR is closer to being objective than many. No matter how much likes of NYT or CNN tout their “journalism”, they are as openly partisan as Fox News.

I am not saying that NYT or CNN are lying a lot. One does not need to lie, just spin things by mentioning truths that match your narrative and hide ones that don’t (Fox is good at this too). Sometimes, however, even spinning gets you in a hot water, like what happened with the case of the Covington kid.


Comparing NYT to CNN is laughable. One is a real Journaliatic agency, the other is CNN; a bunch of crap. And that Covington kid incident was a joke too, the kid and the media trap set for him, all are a joke, some spoiled kid and spoiled media agency, not news, its Days of Our Lives Media, CNN and Fox are media,fake, phony drama, not news. And if people really use TV for News that’s not Cspan or PBS, we should all be very afraid. The average person let’s generalize, who listens to NPR knows CNN is BS and so is Fox. Any half witted idiot knows this. And honestly, who the hell pays for and watches cable tv? Cavemen? Goblins? Idiots? Dear lord.


Glad that we agree on CNN and Fox. While NYT are definitely better than CNN, they do tend to use somewhat sensationalized or misleading headlines and, in my honest opinion, do have a left wing bias. Just like Wall Street Journal that tends to have a more of a right wing bias.


“…a cold hearted, ignorant right wing conservative…


You need to watch those rude and inaccurate judgements. Stuff like that cost HRC an election.


“…My core values, I choose justice over self serving dogma…


In other words, you feel you can break the law when it suits YOU. LOL! The Rule of Law doesn’t work that way!