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Rising Star
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So… we are all okay with the militarization of our cities? Holding US citizens including children all through the night because they heard an apartment building in a 90% black neighborhood had some undocumented immigrants in it.
You must all live on the north side. In our fancy apartment buildings lounging by the pool over the weekend where they wouldn’t do this - but your tune would change if they ever did.
Anyone who knows anything about Chicago knows that our crime issues are deep and complex driven by gang violence, segregation and the ability for some communities to ignore black on black crime, poverty, disinvestment in certain communities, etc etc. What is ridiculous is to blame this on Venezuelan immigrants during the Biden administration from a "insert gang name you just learn on fox". Come on.
OP: Data from the DOJ and independent research groups indicate that right-wing extremists have historically been responsible for more frequent and lethal violence than the left. Left wing extremists have increased activity in the second half of 2025 but are not anywhere near as lethal as right-wing extremists. Next, you're going to tell us Trump is the smartest, sexiest man in the world.
Two things can be true: left‑wing incidents can increase in frequency in a given period, and right‑wing violence can still be more lethal overall. That’s what the data usually show
0/10 ragebait, try again
Pro
This is just another line to deflect Chicagoans from the fact that Johnson is destroying the city, and Pritzker is destroying the state.
You can tell me your opinion on the city of Chicago.
Rising Star
I’m sure that’s what he wants. Pritzker and Johnson are going all in on their divisive rhetoric.
They use Trump as their boogeyman despite being in power for YEARS before he was elected and doing absolutely nothing to help anyone who lives in their city and state.
Wrong. Try again
OP: The Republican Party was the progressive party of the 1860s. Over the next 150+ years, the coalitions and ideologies of both parties shifted dramatically, esp during the civil rights realignments of the 20th century. So, the mayor's comment tracks. Easy fix: Read more.
And for folks who think Pritzker and Johnson are the problem, same advice. In this moment, the problems--the existential threats--are originating with the mad men in the White House. Keep your eye on the ball. Or make a beeline for some red mecca of opportunity. Oh, wait, that's right, they DON'T EXIST. Red states consistently underperform on safety, income, healthcare, education, jobs, etc. compared to blue states.
I look forward to the day when Pritzker and Johnson are our biggest problems
Agree on keeping eyes on the ball—authoritarian impulses, erosion of rule of law, and disinformation are the core risks. Local leaders matter, but national destabilizers set the tempo.
Johnson’s politics of socialism and far-left critical race and class theory would easily belong in South Africa’s ANC, and he is basically turning Chicago into fucking Johannesburg with the state-enabled lawlessness and attempts at economic redistribution.
I’m open to critique, but let’s set metrics: homicide and shooting trends, clearance rates, small-business openings/closures, net job growth, property tax burden, city credit outlook. What do your numbers show since Johnson took office?
The real problem is that we can't agree and talk about the "facts". Everything is a talking point and manufactured crisis. We need to talk to each other more in real sentences with empathy (oops, is that a trigger word now). I'm tired of fighting. Aren't you all too?
Pro
I’m just asking you to explain what you mean by “adding empathy.”
I don’t think you actually know what it means, and you basically admitted that. You’re just repeating something that sounds trendy but doesn’t make sense or fit the conversation.
If you really understood it, you wouldn’t spend so much time and energy dodging the question. If it were that simple, you’d just explain it—but you can’t.
As the old saying goes, sir, this is a Burger King.
Lots of talking word salad here, but not much evidence, classic hahaha
Rising Star
Because there is no evidence. What could Johnson or Pritzker possibly talk about that would make them look good?
“I’m not Trump” is their only card left.
Between Johnson and Trump I'm having a hard time deciding who is more despicable.
Extremists on the left and right are tearing society apart. It will be fascinating to see how poorly history judges this era of politics and divisiveness.
Pro
You didn’t listen you came making a claim about which side I’m on. When no one said they were on one side or another. I’m simply stating a fact.
you’re either not mentally in tune with the conversation or you’re a bot.
Republicans of the civil war era equate to the democrats of today in terms of policy. I guess you don’t remember basic history but go off.
Rising Star
At least the Democrats of today have made some progress. They went from enslaving black people to merely exploiting them.
I love that the national guard is coming, but not to the south/west side area of the city that really need it. Not that it would help a ton, everything would settle down for a bit and come back as soon as they leave.
I don’t know besides stand around and look menacing. Maybe deter crime in the direct areas they’re located in. Other than that I’m not sure. They aren’t an investigative agency solving crime and they’re not built to be a police force chasing down bad guys. The national guards duty is the governors 9-1-1 when things are getting out of hand or disaster happens and police are stretched thin. They’re more of an occupying force tasked with maintaining order which is why their impact will only go as long as their stay lasts.
What was crime like 10, 20, 30 years ago? Or how about in the 1920s? Ever hear of Al Capone? They didn't send in the National Guard then. During the various riots last century, that's when National Guard troops came in. I would say that's not justified now. How about more money for hiring police officers?
Why more police? We need different police, officers who look more like the communities they are policing and not another white guy from Beverly. We need more therapists from those communities who can relate to what people who live there are going through. The problem with that is you’ll need to convince smart black men from low income areas to get masters degrees and PhD instead of more financial lucrative paths. It’s a difficult sell.
That is funny
Texas invading the North. How did that go last time again?
What about 1862 when they failed at invading New Mexico?
The fact is, we need better people in government. And we need to start voting for better people in government. Johnson had absolutely no credibility or experience to do this job but was voted in because he promised the right things to the right people.
Then he came in and started doing exactly what he said he would do, and people got pissed.
Come to think of it you could say the same thing about Trump. He’s doing exactly what he said he was going to do.
Rising Star
Brandon is the kid running for class president who promises a pizza party every day.
You’re right, the liberals won.
The party in power in 1865 was the “Union Party”, a coalition of Republicans and War Democrats. Lincoln had been reelected on a ticket consisting of him (Republican) and Andrew Johnson (prowar Democrat).