An uptick in murders and a full-blown media panic has all but killed reform efforts. It’s important to understand this quick and cynical backlash never had anything to do with “data.”
It's wild living in San Jose and having to constantly hear from multimillionaires who haven't visited SF in years about what a lawless hell hole it is. My hope is that this uproar around the retail thefts can open some eyes for the younger generation. It's totally mystifying to me that I'm supposed to care about Louis Vuitton's profits, or that the stores being boarded up somehow makes the city look worse than the stores' very presence in the first place.
I don't always agree with your politics, Adam, but I still find your viewpoints compelling. You make me reevaluate my own opinions constantly and that's why I happily sub'd.
I think a lot of the problems progressives have with policy has a lot to do with aesthetics. Video footage of stores being broken into and goods stolen is visceral and the messaging that comes after it is a powerful force against criminal justice reform. People watch these videos, they see rows tents in "leftist cities" and they come to the conclusion that progressives are out of touch and care more about drug addicts and thieves rather than the "taxpayer". Just seems like progessives are constantly swimming against heavy currents.
So just say it, Adam: you do not believe in private property. All property belongs to the collective. If you didn’t believe this, why would you find “protecting private property” to be so objectionable. You are a communist.
Look at the NYT this morning. Accorded the same space on the home page is a story about deforestation in NE Brazil and the damn smash and grabs. Christ.
It's wild living in San Jose and having to constantly hear from multimillionaires who haven't visited SF in years about what a lawless hell hole it is. My hope is that this uproar around the retail thefts can open some eyes for the younger generation. It's totally mystifying to me that I'm supposed to care about Louis Vuitton's profits, or that the stores being boarded up somehow makes the city look worse than the stores' very presence in the first place.
I don't always agree with your politics, Adam, but I still find your viewpoints compelling. You make me reevaluate my own opinions constantly and that's why I happily sub'd.
I think a lot of the problems progressives have with policy has a lot to do with aesthetics. Video footage of stores being broken into and goods stolen is visceral and the messaging that comes after it is a powerful force against criminal justice reform. People watch these videos, they see rows tents in "leftist cities" and they come to the conclusion that progressives are out of touch and care more about drug addicts and thieves rather than the "taxpayer". Just seems like progessives are constantly swimming against heavy currents.
Anyways, great article as usual.
“It’s about… protecting private property”
So just say it, Adam: you do not believe in private property. All property belongs to the collective. If you didn’t believe this, why would you find “protecting private property” to be so objectionable. You are a communist.
Look at the NYT this morning. Accorded the same space on the home page is a story about deforestation in NE Brazil and the damn smash and grabs. Christ.