The Shreveport Reaction

In reference to the recent Angela Garbarino "unpleasantness":

Joyce Bowman, who represents District G, said the incident gives the city a "black eye."

I don't think it's the city that got the black eye, there, Joyce. Two of them, along with split lips, knocked out teeth, that Frankenstein stitch on the forehead, bruises all over her body...

...She said she would like to say more, but "it is a legal matter now and I serve on the Risk Management Committee — I do not think that it would be wise to speak on the matter at this time."

Circle the wagons and bring in the mouthpieces and bean counters. God forbid a representative of the people should take a moral stand based on what's right.

District B Councilman Monty Walford said he wants to learn more before saying much on the subject. "I'm not ready to pass judgment one way or the other. I've been told I need to see the whole video."

I've heard of "The Full Monty" but until now, not "The Full-of-it Monty. I'm sure there's gotta be some scenario to explain how she worked herself over like a professional from a fall on the floor. While you're at it, Councilman Python, why not share the whole video with the rest of us, too? Why wasn't it all released? And I'm sure you'd be this reasonable had the brutality been inflicted on your mother, wife or daughter.

Councilman Joe Shyne, who represents District F..."One thing you can say about it, at least it wasn't racial."

Dang if it isn't Optimist Prime! That's some silver lining you found there, Joey. Who says the glass is half empty?

...Shyne said he was upset by the risky position the incident places the city in, since it is self-insured..."That's money that could go to police salaries or equipment and benefits," he said.

Or truncheons or...hey, has anybody besides me noticed a complete absence of concern for the only legitmate purpose of government,the protection of people, their rights and property, and a complete focus on CYA and stuffing pockets with as many wads as possible while the building burns...?

...Other council members did not return e-mails or messages left on their work or cell phones.

They're no doubt too busy getting guns "off the street".

And Chief Whitehorn agrees:

Thank all of you and I have passed that information along Mr. Mayor to all of our fine men and women of the police department. We have received about 50 calls on the gun program, the gun initiative that we’re following up on. We’ve made some arrest and hope to make many, many more.

No doubt. Because when people see how they're treated when Shreveport's finest takes them into custody, and how deeply their elected representatives care about making sure their rights are upheld by city employees, they might not be inclined to go peacefully.

If you thought there was a good chance you'd get a beating like that--excuse me, I meant "you'd slip and fall"--would you?

Why anyone would reelect any of these bloated ticks after this sorry performance is beyond me, but they probably will.

UPDATE: I note Chief Whitehorn makes a special point in his press release to say "Before being transported from the scene, she was treated by Shreveport Fire Department paramedics for facial injuries resulting from the vehicle crashes."

Just compare the "after" pictures to the "before" provided in the video.

Nice try, chief.