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April 09, 2010
"The statement has been made."
I've been reading about a rash of fires started by arsonists in Flint, Michigan. There have been so so many fires in recent weeks that it's hard to give an exact count. But what I find especially ominous are local news reports quoting Flint officials as saying the arson was committed for political purposes, apparently in retaliation over the fact that the City of Flint has laid off fireworkers. From a story headlined "Rash of fires in Flint thought to be for 'perverted political purpose'": FLINT, Michigan -- City officials suspect arsonists with a political bent were trying to scare residents after nine vacant homes were torched over a 20-hour span. Another story is headlined "Flint Mayor: Rash of fires a series of 'coordinated criminal attacks'": March 25, 2010, 11:50AMWell, I'm glad he doesn't want to allow criminals to take over the city, but I find myself baffled over whether this is crime in the ordinary sense of the word. Sure, arson is a crime (a particularly awful crime, because fires can spread), but when arson is committed for a specific political purpose, it rises to another level entirely. I mean, if these fires had been started by animal rights activists who wanted to shut down a research lab, by anti-war activists who wanted to shut down a military recruiting center, or by a crackpot "Christian militia" group for some insane reason, there would be a huge uproar, but this story is being very selectively reported. Why is that? Surely, the goal of terrorizing a city into hiring back laid off firefighters no more justifies political arson than any other goal. Arson is a heinous crime, and if it is being committed to achieve a political purpose, that makes it more heinous. And even if we analyze it purely as crime, it resembles classic mob-style extortion; the old insurance racket. ("Pay up, or your building burns!") If the goal is to frighten citizens, it is working. Students at the University of Michigan understand full well what is going on, and they're afraid their buildings will be next: Community members expressed a great deal of concern for the spreading of fires as well as the disregard for the potential utilization of these buildings.He's right that the statement has been made. And a hell of a statement it is. "Fires in Flint Continue to Rage" More worrisome to me is that the statement not only has been made, but it's been heard. And acted upon -- in a way that strikes me as sending the very wrong message that arson committed for political purposes will be rewarded. At the highest levels. Yes, federal money is now on its way, so the city will be able to hire back the laid-off firefighters. We learned Wednesday that Flint is receiving a federal $6.7 million SAFER grant that will allow the Flint Fire Department to rehire 39 firefighters.Why is there no mention of arson in the writeup of that announcement? At least the Detroit Free Press mentions arson in its story, although there's not so much as a hint of the political motivation which city officials acknowledge: FLINT -- Flint has received a $6.8 million federal stimulus grant that could allow the struggling city to recall recently laid-off firefighters.Might it be that they don't want people to know that the "perverted political purpose" is being subsidized with tax dollars? Yes, I think the idea of committing arson in order to get federal stimulus money for government jobs is about as perverted as it is possible to get. It's the sort of thing we traditionally associate with kleptocracies, and I am sorry to see it happening in the United States. And I think what's worse than the fact that it happened is that it isn't being widely reported. UPDATE: My thanks to Glenn Reynolds for the link, and for quoting from this post. A warm welcome to all! For more background, do not miss this post from theblogprof which has details how unions are basically running the government, which deploys a "human shield strategy" to justify raising taxes and preventing any cutbacks in government jobs -- even "under the most dire circumstances." That's bad enough, but if arson is actually being deployed as deliberate political strategy, we are at risk of degenerating into a thugocracy. Politicians who encourage or reward such tactics are a dire threat to freedom and democracy, and this amounts to aiding and abetting terrorism. Why is this a local investigation? And where's the full investigation by the FBI and Homeland Security? Comments welcome, agree or disagree. UPDATE: My thanks to Rick Moran for linking and discussing this post! posted by Eric on 04.09.10 at 08:09 PM
Comments
In a related development, a number of unarmed, right-wing, former firefighters have been detained on charges that they conspired to extinguish all arson fires without federal funds. A large cache of unregistered, and un-inspected, hoses and buckets were also seized by local authorities. The fanatical group was intent on thwarting the local need for a declaration of emergency and the hiring of several federal citizen fire marshals. g.e.Taylor · April 10, 2010 10:04 AM How do we know that the arson is for political purposes? While it can't be ruled out, timing and quantity argue to the contrary. This also happens with disturbing regularity in western forests toward the end of a season with few fires so that seasonal firefighters can get the overtime and fire time that assure them of a fat paycheck. Although not on federal land, I would not be surprised to learn that the FBI is assisting in this case as well. Mrs. Davis · April 10, 2010 10:24 AM M. Simon · April 10, 2010 10:28 AM It's not merely extortion, it's terrorism. The reaction, meaning the awarding of federal grants, is reminiscent of the Spanish reaction following the 2004 Madrid train bombings: "Oh. It hadn't been explained to us that way before." Ernie G · April 10, 2010 10:30 AM A small correction: "he doesn't want to allow a different group of criminals to take over the city." Charlie Martin · April 10, 2010 11:00 AM Knowing Flint as I do, I didn't hear much more than a rash of fires and layoffs to put two and two together and suspected it was more than a coincidence. To say Flint is corrupt is an understatement. Becky · April 10, 2010 11:01 AM Move to Texas. Paul A'Barge · April 10, 2010 11:05 AM We already have a perfectly good word for acts of violence, and arson surely qualifies on that account, committed for the purpose of frightening a populace and intended to bring about a politcal change - terrorism. Steve · April 10, 2010 11:37 AM This is, also, known as Terrorism. When violence is used to impact peoples behavior, that`s Terrorism. Has Homeland SEcurity been notified? nick · April 10, 2010 11:43 AM nick at April 10, 2010 11:43 AM asks, This is, also, known as Terrorism. When violence is used to impact peoples behavior, that`s Terrorism. Has Homeland SEcurity been notified? Of course they were notified, nick. They swung into action immediately. Look at the quote from the Detroit Free Press: U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint, says Flint should be able to rehire 39 firefighters. (p)Democratic U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow say the money comes from $7 million in Homeland Security Department grants to state emergency responders. gs · April 10, 2010 12:02 PM Would it be that hard to investigate the very specific suspect list: laid off local firefighters? Alec Rawls · April 10, 2010 02:20 PM Well, it wasn't very hard to CONVICT Black Panthers with nightsticks at polling places either.... oh, wait. What makes you think the Copperheads will investigate their own? SDN · April 10, 2010 04:04 PM It would be domestic terrorism if conservatives were doing it -- but of course conservatives don't do stuff like this. mariner · April 10, 2010 04:18 PM When I Google "Michigan Volunteer Firemen" the first page results appear to point me to government and unions. When I Google "Texas Volunteer Firemen" the first page results point me to real volunteer fire departments. Should be obvious that unions are killing Michigan. First post from Anne suggested it, but one constructive way to protest against the ratcheting up of local government would be to do their job before they can do it. Mow the neighborhood park. Pick up litter. Start neighborhood watch programs. Try to put out fires before the fire department arrives. Could even warn motorists to slow down before speed traps to deny the city ticket revenue. George B · April 10, 2010 06:17 PM Here in Texas, we have volunteer fire departments in underserved communities. Were I in Michigan, I'd start up a volunteer organization. Anga2010 · April 10, 2010 06:27 PM buncha wreckers happyfeet · April 10, 2010 08:02 PM not just some fire bug taking advantage of the department being short staffed to get his kicks? It still makes it political because the top government officials who layoff police and firefighters first in any fiscal crisis want to inflict fear upon the people so they will be more than willing to pony up MORE money to bail them out of their own problems. Darleen · April 10, 2010 08:05 PM I think this is just the sort of thing to put our little country on notice that if she thinks her dirty socialist-led decline will foster an attitude of all for one and one for all she's smoking crack. happyfeet · April 10, 2010 08:29 PM I'd fire them all. Start over from scratch. Give the Flint Fire District the full Ronnie.
James Mayeau · April 11, 2010 05:32 AM Not so sure I get the point here. Are you basically alleging that someone in city gov’t is starting fires and burning sh*t down so they can get fed money to rehire firefighters that were laid off due to budget shortage? I know some folks from Flint, so I can personally attest that they GO HARD. But come on. Firemen were seriously injured in one of these blazes. “Two firefighters were hurt in the ensuing fires, including one who had a ceiling fall on him. The injured firefighters, who were treated and released, were among those who lost their jobs in the layoffs.” Do folks really want their jobs THAT badly? I don’t think so. I find this allegation callous and un-American. Reality is, state/local gov’ts have BEEN getting money to tide over payrolls. That too was one of the much criticized “entitlements” of the Stimulus. Why is this such a horrible thing, as this blogger alleges? Would you rather spend that money on a wing for some aircraft that will sit grounded in New Mexico, or put it in the hands of local gov’ts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people in a time of economic crisis. Do you think an electrical fire cares of Obama’s President or not? No. Likewise, politicizing the need for first responders, the very people who put their lives on the line to protect us each day is pretty damn callous. These are the very same “Real Americans” the GOP holds up as what’s great about this country. Yet this a-hole marginalizes them as somehow getting handouts from Uncle Barry, and stealing your tax money in the process. Please. Sheesh, is EVERYTHING partisan in today’s environment? Jesus. Jay · April 12, 2010 02:59 PM Jay, in case you haven't noticed, we don't trust ANY government / union entity. SDN · April 12, 2010 10:37 PM i live in flint, and would like to offer another perspective regarding motive for some of the intentionally set house fires. focus has been on the cuts to the firefighters, however the layoffs affecting law enforcement has left citizens equally frightened. with 76 police officers to serve a city of 110,000, with 3 shifts and vacation time, there is even more incentive to clear neighborhoods of abandoned homes. sharko · April 16, 2010 01:13 PM Post a comment
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How do we know that the arson is for political purposes, and not just some fire bug taking advantage of the department being short staffed to get his kicks?