Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ia this groundhog day? This point has been covered. Read back through the thread. Or read the recent Vantiy Fair article about her reluctance to request Guard. Someone posted it in "Politics"

You are the last one to talk about Groundhog Day. You simply ignore everything that contradicts your opinion that Bowser is to blame for things that are outside her control and repeatedly post the same thing over and over.

Bowser was reluctant to have Federal forces come into the city without her request or coordination with the MPD and basically take over as happened the past summer. If you remember, there were federal officers without identification blocking off streets. Nobody knew who they were or what they were doing. This climaxed in an attack on peaceful protesters that included the use of tear gas to clear the way for Trump's photo op. Can you blame the Mayor for not wanting that to happen again?

Bowser's plan was to have MPD take responsibility with the National Guard backstopping them. This plan proved successful.

The lack of National Guard at the Capitol had nothing to do with Bowser. There is nothing that she could have done to change the lack of troops there. She has neither authority nor responsibility.

Of course, in true Groundhog Day fashion, you will now reply with some convoluted response explaining how Bowser either should have done something that she didn't have authority to do or she should have done something that would have made no difference to the outcome. As you have made clear by now, your conclusion is that Bowser is to blame. You have no logical way of arriving at that conclusion, yet that is your conclusion and nothing is going to change your mind.

Yes, we finally agree. And so she did not, in fact, request them as needed.

Not true. Bowser requested National Guard forces for the area over which she had authority. The number requested proved to be sufficient.

Again, I understand that you are wedded to your conclusion and nothing will change your mind about it. I have accepted that you cannot factually support your conclusion. You should accept this as well.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ia this groundhog day? This point has been covered. Read back through the thread. Or read the recent Vantiy Fair article about her reluctance to request Guard. Someone posted it in "Politics"

You are the last one to talk about Groundhog Day. You simply ignore everything that contradicts your opinion that Bowser is to blame for things that are outside her control and repeatedly post the same thing over and over.

Bowser was reluctant to have Federal forces come into the city without her request or coordination with the MPD and basically take over as happened the past summer. If you remember, there were federal officers without identification blocking off streets. Nobody knew who they were or what they were doing. This climaxed in an attack on peaceful protesters that included the use of tear gas to clear the way for Trump's photo op. Can you blame the Mayor for not wanting that to happen again?

Bowser's plan was to have MPD take responsibility with the National Guard backstopping them. This plan proved successful.

The lack of National Guard at the Capitol had nothing to do with Bowser. There is nothing that she could have done to change the lack of troops there. She has neither authority nor responsibility.

Of course, in true Groundhog Day fashion, you will now reply with some convoluted response explaining how Bowser either should have done something that she didn't have authority to do or she should have done something that would have made no difference to the outcome. As you have made clear by now, your conclusion is that Bowser is to blame. You have no logical way of arriving at that conclusion, yet that is your conclusion and nothing is going to change your mind.

Yes, we finally agree. And so she did not, in fact, request them as needed.

Anonymous wrote:Ia this groundhog day? This point has been covered. Read back through the thread. Or read the recent Vantiy Fair article about her reluctance to request Guard. Someone posted it in "Politics"

You are the last one to talk about Groundhog Day. You simply ignore everything that contradicts your opinion that Bowser is to blame for things that are outside her control and repeatedly post the same thing over and over.

Bowser was reluctant to have Federal forces come into the city without her request or coordination with the MPD and basically take over as happened the past summer. If you remember, there were federal officers without identification blocking off streets. Nobody knew who they were or what they were doing. This climaxed in an attack on peaceful protesters that included the use of tear gas to clear the way for Trump's photo op. Can you blame the Mayor for not wanting that to happen again?

Bowser's plan was to have MPD take responsibility with the National Guard backstopping them. This plan proved successful.

The lack of National Guard at the Capitol had nothing to do with Bowser. There is nothing that she could have done to change the lack of troops there. She has neither authority nor responsibility.

Of course, in true Groundhog Day fashion, you will now reply with some convoluted response explaining how Bowser either should have done something that she didn't have authority to do or she should have done something that would have made no difference to the outcome. As you have made clear by now, your conclusion is that Bowser is to blame. You have no logical way of arriving at that conclusion, yet that is your conclusion and nothing is going to change your mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So PC. And I was born here, Were you?

Clearly being born here has not improved your ability to understand the Mayor's responsibilities. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but rather law.

Oh, dis'. There are many analyses that voice that the under-preparation for 1/6 was a nervous overreaction to the optics of the summer call up of the Guard by the President. If you disagree that is fine, but please do not resort to insulting my ability to 'understand'. We simply disagree. That happens sometimes.

I actually think you understand perfectly. I think that you know that any failure to prepare lies squarely with those charged with protecting the Capital. That includes the Capitol Police Chief and the two Sergeants at Arms. It does not include Bowser. What I don't understand is why you are fighting to the death to blame Mayor Bowser for something that you know is not her fault.

I think MB has partial blame. But you do you.

And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Your ignorance is showing, because as luck would have it (or you know, the law) Mayor Bowser does not have jurisdiction over the National Guard. Want to try for strike 3?

Ia this groundhog day? This point has been covered. Read back through the thread. Or read the recent Vantiy Fair article about her reluctance to request Guard. Someone posted it in "Politics"

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.

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.

Bravo, strike 3, you are out.

The Mayor of the District of Columbia DOES NOT have jurisdiction over the DC National guard, to call them up, to call them out or to call them off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So PC. And I was born here, Were you?

Clearly being born here has not improved your ability to understand the Mayor's responsibilities. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but rather law.

Oh, dis'. There are many analyses that voice that the under-preparation for 1/6 was a nervous overreaction to the optics of the summer call up of the Guard by the President. If you disagree that is fine, but please do not resort to insulting my ability to 'understand'. We simply disagree. That happens sometimes.

I actually think you understand perfectly. I think that you know that any failure to prepare lies squarely with those charged with protecting the Capital. That includes the Capitol Police Chief and the two Sergeants at Arms. It does not include Bowser. What I don't understand is why you are fighting to the death to blame Mayor Bowser for something that you know is not her fault.

I think MB has partial blame. But you do you.

And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Your ignorance is showing, because as luck would have it (or you know, the law) Mayor Bowser does not have jurisdiction over the National Guard. Want to try for strike 3?

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So PC. And I was born here, Were you?

Clearly being born here has not improved your ability to understand the Mayor's responsibilities. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but rather law.

Oh, dis'. There are many analyses that voice that the under-preparation for 1/6 was a nervous overreaction to the optics of the summer call up of the Guard by the President. If you disagree that is fine, but please do not resort to insulting my ability to 'understand'. We simply disagree. That happens sometimes.

I actually think you understand perfectly. I think that you know that any failure to prepare lies squarely with those charged with protecting the Capital. That includes the Capitol Police Chief and the two Sergeants at Arms. It does not include Bowser. What I don't understand is why you are fighting to the death to blame Mayor Bowser for something that you know is not her fault.

I think MB has partial blame. But you do you.

You can think that, but it is ill-informed and wrong. You are taking the position that the Mayor of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction over the security at the US Capitol. How quaint.

Anonymous wrote:Bowser demanded coordination for deployment of other additional federal law enforcement on the 5th. She’s not just speaking of “areas under her control”. She’s saying the city doesn’t want additional support brought in by (for example) the Capitol Police without notification and approval by the city. That’s what she got. It led directly to a very poor outcome.

https://twitter.com/mayorbowser/status/1346530358674792466?s=21

Your conclusion does not logically flow from the facts that you provided. Bowser asked the MPD be informed about any Federal forces requested by others. That in no way prevented or inhibited such deployment. To the contrary, Bowser's representatives were on the phone call when additional forces were requested.

She did not demand approval. You are simply wrong about that. Moreover, she has authority to approve or not approve.

I really wonder what motivates posters like this one to misstate facts in order to falsely place blame on the Mayor.

Bowser demanded coordination for deployment of other additional federal law enforcement on the 5th. She’s not just speaking of “areas under her control”. She’s saying the city doesn’t want additional support brought in by (for example) the Capitol Police without notification and approval by the city. That’s what she got. It led directly to a very poor outcome.

https://twitter.com/mayorbowser/status/1346530358674792466?s=21

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.

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.

Thanks. So, clearly the entire basis of your criticism of Bowser is that she did not have contingency forces for a demonstration occurring on territory over which she had no authority. 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?

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.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.

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.

Thanks. So, clearly the entire basis of your criticism of Bowser is that she did not have contingency forces for a demonstration occurring on territory over which she had no authority. 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?

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.

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.

Anonymous wrote:And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

Please explain, specifically as possible, what different actions Bowser should have taken? I am really curious to understand your thinking.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So PC. And I was born here, Were you?

Clearly being born here has not improved your ability to understand the Mayor's responsibilities. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but rather law.

Oh, dis'. There are many analyses that voice that the under-preparation for 1/6 was a nervous overreaction to the optics of the summer call up of the Guard by the President. If you disagree that is fine, but please do not resort to insulting my ability to 'understand'. We simply disagree. That happens sometimes.

I actually think you understand perfectly. I think that you know that any failure to prepare lies squarely with those charged with protecting the Capital. That includes the Capitol Police Chief and the two Sergeants at Arms. It does not include Bowser. What I don't understand is why you are fighting to the death to blame Mayor Bowser for something that you know is not her fault.

I think MB has partial blame. But you do you.

And (NOT sock puppeting!), I'm not even using the word 'blame'. Shame + blame is very 2020 to me. I think she bears partial responsibility 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.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. So PC. And I was born here, Were you?

Clearly being born here has not improved your ability to understand the Mayor's responsibilities. It has nothing to do with political correctness, but rather law.

Oh, dis'. There are many analyses that voice that the under-preparation for 1/6 was a nervous overreaction to the optics of the summer call up of the Guard by the President. If you disagree that is fine, but please do not resort to insulting my ability to 'understand'. We simply disagree. That happens sometimes.

I actually think you understand perfectly. I think that you know that any failure to prepare lies squarely with those charged with protecting the Capital. That includes the Capitol Police Chief and the two Sergeants at Arms. It does not include Bowser. What I don't understand is why you are fighting to the death to blame Mayor Bowser for something that you know is not her fault.

I think MB has partial blame. But you do you.