NYPD Deploys 500 Cameras To Keep Tabs On Citizens
“Along a gritty stretch of street in Brooklyn, police this month quietly launched an ambitious plan to combat street crime and terrorism.”
Gritty?
A gritty stretch of street. No doubt this is a reference not to the physical condition of the pavement but to those inhabiting the domiciles alongside said gritty street. But that rant is for another day.
What’s with 500 cameras? As the article reminds us, cameras may help in an investigation of, but do not prevent, crime. The great sage C-Lo of Goodie Mob reminds us in the classic track, Cell Therapy,
Me and my family moved in our apartment complex
A gate with the serial code was put up next....
But every now and then
I wonder if that gate was put up to keep crime out or keep our ass in
The NYPD represents the elites. They say the cameras(gates) are to prevent crime and terrorism. In London security cameras have proven to do neither. As they have not seen crime rates decrease and we all saw the tube bombings. So besides some company making millions setting up this new system, what's really going on here?
Other cities are also trying to install cameras. And since we also know that some cities have been watching for 10 years, this New York rollout with accompanying national press is more for psychological purposes than the revelation of new tactics. A message letting the country at large know what the deal is now.
And of course, watching for our reaction.
Or non-reaction.
The Character Assassination of McKinney...Some Context
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is in the news again over something silly. I say this not in the same tone as most journalists some of whom unabashedly display anti-McKinney bias in their reporting but most of whom are anti-McKinney but do a fair job of hiding it by being uncritical of the capitol police account with ad hominem criticism of the Congresswoman. I say 'silly' in the context of my support for anyone who hasn't been found guilty of a crime yet is dealt with in media and scholarship as if he/she was guilty.
Just a couple of points here regarding context. Because most folks aren’t political and since Cynthia McKinney is, context is needed to understand what is going on here. That being said, it segues nicely into the first point.
Cynthia McKinney is famous.
Perhaps not among the general public but there are many types of fame. And in D.C. Cynthia McKinney is and has been famous. This point is aimed squarely at the cornerstone of the case of the capitol police, which can be reduced to ‘we didn’t know who she was’.
This is their case. And with a little context, without going any further, any thinking person can walk away from this entire incident knowing that this is a case of political smear, character assassination, an electronic political lynching in an election year. In case you’re reading fast, I’ll say that again, in an election year. Back to context. After 9/11 McKinney was the first high-level elected official to ask a question that is now household,
‘What did the administration know and when did it know it?’
To understand what is happening now you have to understand 2001. Congresswoman McKinney was attacked by US media establishments across the country. The AJC ran a front page story about her the headline was in (pay attention now) 5 inch bold letters. The headline was a single word in reference to the black congresswoman from Georgia’s 4th district.
LOONY!
This was the journalistic response of the largest paper in the home state of the congresswoman. And this response was indicative of national coverage as well. All for asking what did they know and when did they know it. And as a member of congress, you know, the legislative balance for the judicial and executive branches of government. When an attack like 9/11 happens isn’t it a congresspersons job to ask that kind of question about the top military figure in the country tasked with protecting the citizens of the United States, the President of the US? For performing her job description, she was labeled loony by this paper, which is among the top 20 newspapers in the country in terms of circulation. The smear campaign from that event culminated in a Republican plot for crossover voting in the 2002 Democratic Primary, driving McKinney from office. Without the influence of Republicans crossover vote in the 2004 Dem primary McKinney regained her seat the 2 years later.
It should be pointed out that it was later discovered that, contrary to claims from the President’s office and the President himself, there was prior warning. So what was characterized as loony and resulted in the loss of her congress seat is now common knowledge. McKinney has spoken up on many controversial topics, all making her fair game for an establishment that sees her as the biggest single thorn in its side.
CIA selling crack in Los Angeles
Govt involvement in 9/11
The plight of the Palestinians living under Israeli apartheid
Ending the Iraq occupation and associated profiteering
Not to mention the situation of non-whites in America dealing with racial discriminatory practices daily.
In light of her efforts in these regards, the magnification of what was yet another incident of racial profiling into a situation where a white male cop is apparently the victim of assault at the hands of the black female congress member is just the latest chapter in an assault to lessen the effectiveness of this agitator of powerful interests at the highest levels of US govt.
Another often ignored point in this silliness is the fact that the capitol police claim to have video evidence corroborating their account, but they won’t release it. Fancy that.
Meanwhile, the media smear with the racists, on the both the left and the right, propelling it continues.
Just a couple of points here regarding context. Because most folks aren’t political and since Cynthia McKinney is, context is needed to understand what is going on here. That being said, it segues nicely into the first point.
Cynthia McKinney is famous.
Perhaps not among the general public but there are many types of fame. And in D.C. Cynthia McKinney is and has been famous. This point is aimed squarely at the cornerstone of the case of the capitol police, which can be reduced to ‘we didn’t know who she was’.
This is their case. And with a little context, without going any further, any thinking person can walk away from this entire incident knowing that this is a case of political smear, character assassination, an electronic political lynching in an election year. In case you’re reading fast, I’ll say that again, in an election year. Back to context. After 9/11 McKinney was the first high-level elected official to ask a question that is now household,
‘What did the administration know and when did it know it?’
To understand what is happening now you have to understand 2001. Congresswoman McKinney was attacked by US media establishments across the country. The AJC ran a front page story about her the headline was in (pay attention now) 5 inch bold letters. The headline was a single word in reference to the black congresswoman from Georgia’s 4th district.
LOONY!
This was the journalistic response of the largest paper in the home state of the congresswoman. And this response was indicative of national coverage as well. All for asking what did they know and when did they know it. And as a member of congress, you know, the legislative balance for the judicial and executive branches of government. When an attack like 9/11 happens isn’t it a congresspersons job to ask that kind of question about the top military figure in the country tasked with protecting the citizens of the United States, the President of the US? For performing her job description, she was labeled loony by this paper, which is among the top 20 newspapers in the country in terms of circulation. The smear campaign from that event culminated in a Republican plot for crossover voting in the 2002 Democratic Primary, driving McKinney from office. Without the influence of Republicans crossover vote in the 2004 Dem primary McKinney regained her seat the 2 years later.
It should be pointed out that it was later discovered that, contrary to claims from the President’s office and the President himself, there was prior warning. So what was characterized as loony and resulted in the loss of her congress seat is now common knowledge. McKinney has spoken up on many controversial topics, all making her fair game for an establishment that sees her as the biggest single thorn in its side.
CIA selling crack in Los Angeles
Govt involvement in 9/11
The plight of the Palestinians living under Israeli apartheid
Ending the Iraq occupation and associated profiteering
Not to mention the situation of non-whites in America dealing with racial discriminatory practices daily.
In light of her efforts in these regards, the magnification of what was yet another incident of racial profiling into a situation where a white male cop is apparently the victim of assault at the hands of the black female congress member is just the latest chapter in an assault to lessen the effectiveness of this agitator of powerful interests at the highest levels of US govt.
Another often ignored point in this silliness is the fact that the capitol police claim to have video evidence corroborating their account, but they won’t release it. Fancy that.
Meanwhile, the media smear with the racists, on the both the left and the right, propelling it continues.
The Profiling Incident Timeline
This is an actual timeline of the event we discussed some days back. This lends more credibility to the claim that the entire blow-up was/is politically motivated rather than a newsworthy event. When the event (now being called a national security issue) occurred, nothing came of it. No arrest. Nothing. It wasn't until the Congresswoman contacted the Acting Chief Thompson about the incident. Thompson comes to her office and apologizes for the incident. Then the political machine kicks into gear.
Read the timeline.Timeline of the Incident with the Capitol Police (Washington, DC) -1. Incident, Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 8:57am. No arrest is made and nothing is said about any criminal charges.2. Congresswoman McKinney calls Sergeant-at-Arms Wilson Livingood, who along with US Capitol PD Acting Chief Thompson, came to her Congressional Office that same afternoon to discuss a 'pattern of conduct by police in failing to recognize the Congresswoman.' Thompson Apologizes for the officer not recognizing Congresswoman. He promises to work on problem and get back to her. Nothing is said about any possible criminal charges.3. Rumor begins later Wednesday that Congresswoman may be charged with assault on officer4. McKinney issues original statement on Wednesday night, March 29, 2006:(Washington, DC) - To the Members of the Capitol Hill Police:Earlier today I had an unfortunate confrontation with a Capitol Hill Police Officer. It is traditional protocol that Capitol Hill Police Officers secure 535 Members of Congress, including 100 Senators. It is the expectation of most Members of Congress that Capitol Hill Police officers know who they are. I was urgently trying to get to an important meeting on time to fulfill my obligations to my constituents. Unfortunately, the Police Officer did not recognize me as a Member of Congress and a confrontation ensued. I did not have on my Congressional pin but showed the Police Officer my Congressional ID. I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, that of thousands of others, and I appreciate the work that they do. I deeply regret that the incident occurred. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now.5. Thursday warrant rumor appears in media.6. March 31 Friday Press conference called by Congresswoman McKinney who reads statement:Apparently the case against me may be referred for prosecution. Therefore, I have been advised by my attorneys not to discuss the facts of this case. However, let me be clear, this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me – a female, black, progressive Congresswoman. I deeply regret that this incident occurred and I am certain that after a full review of the facts, I will be exonerated.7. Congresswoman McKinney issues Apology on House Floor on Thursday, April 7:I come before this body to personally express, again, my sincere regret about the encounter with the Capitol Hill Police. I appreciate my colleagues who are standing with me, who love this institution and who love this country. There should not have been any physical contact in this incident. I have always supported law enforcement, and will be voting for H. Res. 756 expressing my gratitude and appreciation to the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police. I am sorry that this misunderstanding happened at all and I regret its escalation. And I apologize.
Read the timeline.Timeline of the Incident with the Capitol Police (Washington, DC) -1. Incident, Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 8:57am. No arrest is made and nothing is said about any criminal charges.2. Congresswoman McKinney calls Sergeant-at-Arms Wilson Livingood, who along with US Capitol PD Acting Chief Thompson, came to her Congressional Office that same afternoon to discuss a 'pattern of conduct by police in failing to recognize the Congresswoman.' Thompson Apologizes for the officer not recognizing Congresswoman. He promises to work on problem and get back to her. Nothing is said about any possible criminal charges.3. Rumor begins later Wednesday that Congresswoman may be charged with assault on officer4. McKinney issues original statement on Wednesday night, March 29, 2006:(Washington, DC) - To the Members of the Capitol Hill Police:Earlier today I had an unfortunate confrontation with a Capitol Hill Police Officer. It is traditional protocol that Capitol Hill Police Officers secure 535 Members of Congress, including 100 Senators. It is the expectation of most Members of Congress that Capitol Hill Police officers know who they are. I was urgently trying to get to an important meeting on time to fulfill my obligations to my constituents. Unfortunately, the Police Officer did not recognize me as a Member of Congress and a confrontation ensued. I did not have on my Congressional pin but showed the Police Officer my Congressional ID. I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, that of thousands of others, and I appreciate the work that they do. I deeply regret that the incident occurred. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now.5. Thursday warrant rumor appears in media.6. March 31 Friday Press conference called by Congresswoman McKinney who reads statement:Apparently the case against me may be referred for prosecution. Therefore, I have been advised by my attorneys not to discuss the facts of this case. However, let me be clear, this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me – a female, black, progressive Congresswoman. I deeply regret that this incident occurred and I am certain that after a full review of the facts, I will be exonerated.7. Congresswoman McKinney issues Apology on House Floor on Thursday, April 7:I come before this body to personally express, again, my sincere regret about the encounter with the Capitol Hill Police. I appreciate my colleagues who are standing with me, who love this institution and who love this country. There should not have been any physical contact in this incident. I have always supported law enforcement, and will be voting for H. Res. 756 expressing my gratitude and appreciation to the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police. I am sorry that this misunderstanding happened at all and I regret its escalation. And I apologize.