Reply to Muriel Bowser

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous]And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial[i] responsibility[/i] for the fiasco we all endured, and hopefully will emerge the wiser in how she chooses to utilize the DC National Guard "the next time" , whatever and whomever that may be.[/quote]

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.
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My thinking is that Mayor Bowser should have called up more DC National guard for duty on 1/6. Some should have done exactly what they did (traffic control etc. without riot control gear). Some should have been in riot gear monitoring the demonstration/gathering even from afar--DC territory) and on standby if needed.[/quote]

Thanks. So, clearly the entire basis of your criticism of Bowser is that she did not have contingency forces for a demonstration [b]occurring on territory over which she had no authority[/b]. This, of course, ignores that the MPD proved perfectly capable of handling the demonstration (and likely was the contingency force that you think didn't exist). What evidence do you have that National Guard forces monitoring from the Armory or wherever would have responded quicker than the MPD?

What do you have to say for the Capitol Police Chief, the two Sergeants at Arms, and the NPS officials who actually had authority and responsibility?
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She is Mayor of DC. What if the mob had headed into territory over which she did have control? What if they'd headed for some historic black churches to pull down BLM signs? The Guard, prepared WITH riot gear (remember, MPD is banned from monitoring protests in their gear) would have come in handy.   As it was, both entities had to be 'mustered', wasting valuable time and costing lives. People died in the Capitol. Could have gone down like that anywhere in the city, it just happened to be the Capitol that day.

As to the other entities, they all appear to bear great responsibility for the fiasco and I hope there is a full, transparent investigation. I also hope that we recognize that the line between a protest and a mob may be a fine one. As we work to protect free speech in our country, we can also work to contain dangerous activities. A prepared MPD and National Guard, with riot gear and extremely clear directions and leadership, can protect peaceful, permitted demonstrators and counter- demonstrators  and quickly pivot if things take a turn.[/quote]

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