Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. -- Colonel Dubois, Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
so what are we to think of the NYPD's ending of broken-windows policing? to me it looks as though Brinsley's act of violence may have triggered a response that will benefit New Yorkers in the long run, indeed maybe in the short run. though I cannot countenance indiscriminate killing of anybody, including police officers, the murders had the desired effect of making the ruling class's minions realize their vulnerability if they continue their oppression of the citizenry, particularly that of blacks, who are disproportionately singled out for stop-and-frisk and other indignities.
also, as I speculated before, the targets may not have been random, but rather agreed to by the power structures involved.
in any case, whether the long-term effects are positive or negative, some balance has been restored. the wall of blue has been found to be a lot more vulnerable than they wanted us to think. some fear has settled onto the oppressors. as Neo said to the machines, "Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you."
last updated 2015-01-01 21:31:34. served from tektonic.jcomeau.com