Mayor de Blasio: No Apology For NYPD

[napkinz]

January 15, 2015
by David Christopher

In a morning press conference held today January 15th, Mayor Bill De Blasio said he would not apologize for his statements demanding police accountability and end to racist police practices. Those statements put the NYPD police union on the defensive as well as angering many cops and police supporters. He reasoned,

“The things that I have said that I believe are what I believe, and you can’t apologize for your fundamental beliefs.”

read more: http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/01/15/mayor-de-blasio-no-apology-for-nypd/

[Dawson Leery]

1. Indeed!

Bill is showing Liberals how to stand and fight.

[napkinz]

3. he and Elizabeth Warren!

[Fearless]

13. +1

[calimary]

15. Indeed. Say it loud, say it proud!

Please don't anybody forget what george dubya went around saying in 2004 - "you may not agree with me but you know where I stand."

People LIKE that certitude. Even when completely fucking cock-eyed and WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!

The "...well, at least he stands for SOMETHING" will ALWAYS win out over "...but they don't stand for anything!"

[ND-Dem]

16. Yes. Unless they're major hypocrites.

[LiberalLovinLug]

34. Exactly right

I've said this in the past in here. And not the only one.
My thoughts were that even though there may be at the very least a grudgedly respect from both sides for that kind of self-pride, most all from the left still voted for Democrats. Its the mushy middle, the so called "moderate" voter, the "undecided", or whatever name you give to those who are either on the fence between the two parties (how can one be?), or more likely those that are mostly apolitical, who don't really follow politics and if they vote, they vote based on their intermittent news clip viewings...its this group that can decide an election.

IMO the votes that George W got (which were still formidable whether one believes he won it fair and square or not) were bolstered by those in that mushy middle that admired the candidate that strutted around like a rooster in a hen house who never apologized for shit, compared to the low key defensive (i was for the war before I was against it) and carefully crafted candidates the DLC put out there in Gore and Kerry.

[merrily]

53. Well.....

Telling people where you really stand is not the same as never apologizing for shit. As far as genuine apology, precious few politicians of any party do that. Clinton has blamed things on bad advice, but never said, "I was wrong; I'm sorry." Not that I would count it for much now that he is out of office, but he's never done it

And it was Cheney who said Kerry was for the war before he was against it, not Kerry. I don't know what Kerry had to say for himself, if anything, on that score. He voted for the Invasion, i.e., to send troops into harm's way and then voted against funding. Then, he changed his mind about that, too, after the outcry (justifiable , and voted for funding.

But, I do get what your overall point.

What I would like: not so much a strutting rooster or an apologizer, but someone who tells me clearly, honestly and unequivocally where they stand while they are running. Then, if something changes while he or she is in office, to tell me what changed and how that caused him or her to change position. Don't just say, Weelllll, if you look really, really closely at the exact words I said while campaigning--and ALL the exact words--with the benefit of hindsight, you must agree I didn't really flat out promise that." Or, Remember that thing I did flat out say was the only way to keep costs down? Well, now I am telling you to stop asking me about it It's only a sliver.

Before anyone asks for a link to those exact words, no link. No quotation marks, either. It's obviously my perception of the reality, and paraphrased for effect.

[MoonchildCA]

57. Actually, now they just say,

"I've evolved."

[merrily]

58. Actually, the very same one who said "sliver" said his thinking on another subject had evolved, in

part, because of his children and their school friends.

However, his position had "evolved" all the way back to the position he'd held on that same subject in 1994, while campaigning for state senate. So, the tale was a little difficult to reconcile with traditional concepts of evolving because your children enlighten you.

That said, I kid somewhat. Whatever the course of the evolution, we now sit with a President who has said he thinks gay marriage is fine and I think that is very meaningful. Sooner would have been farbetter, but it's far better to say it after three years than never to say it.

And, in general, I do not want any elected official to be (or act) so close-minded that nothing can shake his actions. Climate deniers and birthers are good examples of the kind of close minded I do not want. Come to think of it, so are evolution deniers.

[MoonchildCA]

62. I think when someone says they've evolved...

...it's just their way of saying they are now ready to announce poltically, what they've always believed personally.

[merrily]

63. Yes. Or, in this case, announce 3 different things politically, depending upon which

campaign it was.

[LiberalLovinLug]

64. I agree

Which I haven't with you in the past on other issues. Its a new year so anything is possible!

"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." was the exact quote from Kerry. I wish he could have explained himself better, I think some Bush tax cuts were also snuck into the first bill as well and was another reason he voted against it at one point. But it was a sound bite that was devastating for the one line sound bite attack dogs.

I also would rather have someone that stops and explains their reasons for a change of mind instead of all the word parsing and excuses and blaming the media, which in all fairness is mostly a right wing tactic. Treat American adults like adults. Of course Fox News and others will always stutter into faux outrage with googly eyes no matter HOW a Democrat phrases it. That's a lost audience. I don't know why it seems like Democrats feel the need to cater to that lowest of lowest common denominator.

This is why I like Warren. She not only speaks her mind and tells us her positions but she quickly will go on the counter attack if she is taken out of context or misinterpreted purposely. I am waiting for the same from Hillary. I realize its still a little early for her to put too much out there to be dissected by her foes for any slight mis-statement, but she better start addressing issues soon.

[merrily]

65. I post a lot, so I don't remember the name of every poster with whom I disagree.

I am not going to apologize, either, because I think that is a good thing, in a way. I used to say I don't carry grudges from thread to thread, but some disagreements do stand out, especially if the disagreement got personal.

Anyway, all the above is to say, I don't remember what you and I have disagreed about, but, IMO, nothing is wrong with honest disagreement.

[LiberalLovinLug]

68. yes

Its good to first read the post before judging its relevance based on who posted it.

Its like discounting the message because of a preconceived bias or prejudice against the messenger. (Snowden comes to mind, but maybe that was the disagreement)

Anyways, I don't hold grudges on a message board from post to post. I'm for open discussion. I don't think everyone on a liberal website has to, or will, agree on everything. It would be a little boring if that were the case. So why not agree when we can? I find it heartening when I find posts by those I have disagreed with in the past that I totally agree with that day. Its the opposite of the bigoted close minded Fox News right wing extremists that dismiss whole groups, religions, races, occupations, etc... based on one overblown instance.

We may argue in the future, but for now Happy New Year!

[merrily]

69. Thanks and Happy New Year, even when we are disagreeing!

Even if you call me names!

[ann---]

30. Guess who

I think should have done this long ago - Obama. Sad that he didn't and caved so many times to the gop.

[3catwoman3]

2. Good. He shouldn't.

And the back-turning lock-steppers should be ashamed of themselves.

[99Forever]

4. K&R

[KMOD]

5. I think I am falling in love with Mayor Diblasio

[PatSeg]

12. Same here

I am so tired of politicians backtracking from honest, truthful statements, which is why people don't trust politicians.

[vi5]

6. Good for him...

I wasn't nuts about how much he went along with the Cuomo coronation and how complicit he was i the freeze out of the challengers. But overall I believe he does what is right more often than not and that's all I really ask for in a Democrat.

[freshwest]

7. His fundamental beliefs are what citizens expect a NYPD union to have. Let Lynch explain his!

In plain and simple terms, does he believe in Equal Treatment Under the Law and Due Process?

If not, Lynch joins the ranks of the Ryans, Pauls and the Confederacy.

Should NYers be asked to pay to support those who deny the rights won in the Civil War under the US Constitution?

De Blasio continues to take the high road which virtually all members of the Democratic Party do while Lynch, et al, want to drag the nation down into the dirt.

[Dawson Leery]

14. If Patrick Lynch wishes to go the route of insolence towards elected civil authority,

he will leave no option but to eliminate his position of authority (bust the PBA and SBA).

[former9thward]

19. Love to hear from our resident union busters.

[99th_Monkey]

33. There are unions, and then there are faux "unions"

Real unions honor labor's proud legacy of standing for equality under the law,
equal justice for all, standing with the 'little guy' against the rich & powerful, etc.

Faux "unions", not so much.

[former9thward]

35. You or the bosses don't get to choose what unions say.

That is up to the members. BTW you need to read labor history sometime. Many unions, especially in the construction trade, have NOT stood for equality under the law, and kept minorities out.

[99th_Monkey]

37. Just because a few unions fell (or fall) short of those ideals

I do know enough about labor history to know that most union
movement before 1900 was focused on worker-owned co-ops
(i.e. standing up for the little guy v. capitalist pigs), and to
know about the IWW/Wobblies, etc. So, I said what I said.
that you can find an exception to this general rule does not
inspire me to 'apologize', or to change my point of view.

For ever "example" of unions not standing up for the
little guy, I can find 3 where they do.

[SunSeeker]

32. The solution is to "bust" Lynch, not the union. nt

Last edited Tue Jan 20, 2015, 03:05 AM - Edit history (1)

[sheshe2]

8. Bravo Mr. Mayor!!!!! Well said indeed.

“The things that I have said that I believe are what I believe, and you can’t apologize for your fundamental beliefs.”



Thank you napkinz

[napkinz]

42. you're welcome sheshe

[MoonRiver]

9. I love this guy!

I hope he runs for a bigger office in the future, Senate or even President.

[inanna]

38. That would be very very cool. n/t

[napkinz]

43. "hope he runs for a bigger office in the future, Senate or even President"

so do I!

[daredtowork]

10. Standing Ovation!

Are you sure he's not looking Presidential there...

[99th_Monkey]

11. Thank you Mayor De Blasio for NOT apologizing

You are not alone. Some good cops and a lot of concerned
citizens super appreciate you and your integrity.

Here's a good cop in Baltimore who's standing up to his
whole department.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026104859

[ann---]

27. Where are the

"good" cops in NYC standing up for what's right? In my view, they are even worse than the bad cops who have no decency.

[napkinz]

48. thanks for sharing ...

we need more officers like Detective Joseph Crystal

[hopemountain]

17. no apology.

stand strong in your truth, mayor deblasio.

on a side note - have any of you noticed law enforcement in your community wearing nazi haircuts and moustaches?

can we outlaw the nazi thug look in the same manner come communities are outlawing hoodies?

[former9thward]

20. Sure, let's have someone from the city in every barber shop to inspect haircuts.

[hopemountain]

21. gotcha!

[sheshe2]

18. No Apology!

Kicking~

[SummerSnow]

22. Guess they find it hard that Mayor DeBlasio loves his son more than them.

The nerve that they want an apology

[libdem4life]

23. Awesome Photo ... ditto to all the other comments ... He's going places and will bring

back some tired liberals and fire up some current ones, and oh heavens, create even more?

[AtheistCrusader]

24. Sometimes, when things like the TPP or Keystone come up, some of us wonder where the democrats with

backbones are.


Here's one. Let's make sure he feels the love, because that was not a comfortable stance to take.

[progressoid]

25. Yer damn skippy.

[ann---]

26. Good for him!

NYPD should grow up and stop disgracing this great state.

[spanone]

28. Kudos Mayor!!!!

[edhopper]

29. NYC support the Mayor

the NYPD have shot themselves in the foot.

[SunSeeker]

31. K & R

[Stellar]

36. You go BdB!

I love how you think.

[Cha]

39. Good on the Mayor not enabling the hissyfits of those in the NYPD who are Demanding an

apology. For What? we have already asked!

Mahalo napkinz~

[napkinz]

44. Lynch should apologize to the mayor AND his family

for that "blood on the hands" comment

[Cha]

45. Yes, he actually should.. but, something tells me this big mouth hot head will do no such thing.

This is good news from Mayor de Blasio.. thank you!

[napkinz]

49. I think there might be a presidential run in Mayor de Blasio's future

[Cha]

50. Kick for Possibilities!

[KeepItReal]

40. Good on him! Dr. King would be proud of this man, I think.

Bravo, Mayor De Blasio.

[napkinz]

61. a proud liberal!

[dissentient]

41. Actually, the NYPD owe an apology both to the mayor and the people of NYC for becoming a

national embarrassment.

[napkinz]

47. Pat Lynch owes the mayor's family an apology

nt

[bluestateguy]

46. Apologies are signs of weakness

Never do it (not in politics anyway).

Your critics will still not be appeased, they will see it as a sign of weakness and continue to pounce.

[merrily]

66. Not apologizing gets pounced on, too.

To quote shakespeare, "It's a brave new world." There is no way to behave that insulates you from criticism from the opposition and they are not waiting for signs of weakness before they pounce. So, so you may as well not worry about whether they will pounce or not. They will.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

51. Great mayor

great family - all standing tall. Their futures look bright.

K&R Thanks, napkinz

[napkinz]

52. you're welcome Iwillnevergiveup

I hope the mayor is given a prominent speaking role at the convention in 2016. His voice needs to be heard throughout the land.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

54. Love my mayor

[stevenleser]

56. + infinity nt

[napkinz]

60. and they call Rudy "America's Mayor"

America needs more mayors like Bill de Blasio

[stevenleser]

55. Good, NYPD needs to apologize to DiBlasio, not the other way around. nt

[47of74]

59. Good.

Grow the fuck up NYPD.

[bigwillq]

67. I don't think he needed to apologize.

Last edited Tue Jan 20, 2015, 06:42 PM - Edit history (1)

If he had apologized just to appease folks that disagreed with him, I would not like it one bit.

[napkinz]

70. nothing to apologize for ... he was being a responsible parent

Andray @AndrayDomise
Follow
I really want people to remember that Bill de Blasio was blamed for police deaths by virtue of being a responsible parent to a black son.
5:13 PM - 20 Dec 2014 1,920 Retweets 1,432 Favorites

https://twitter.com/andraydomise/status/546503765302722560