On the first debate for California’s open U.S. Senate seat, Politico’s senior political reporter Melanie Mason requested Oakland Congresswoman and candidate for U.S. Senate, Barbara Lee the next prescient query: “Congresswoman Lee, you have got represented Oakland within the Home of Representatives for a very long time. Crime in that metropolis stays stubbornly excessive in comparison with different cities within the state. Oakland has misplaced the A’s, the Raiders, the Warriors, and simply this week an In-N-Out. Given its struggles, why must you get a promotion to the U.S. Senate?”
Let’s simply evaluation that for a second.
Oakland misplaced their In-N-Out Burger outlet due to crime; however due to cashless bail, they nonetheless have an In-And-Out metropolis jail.
Moreover, they’ve misplaced the A’s, the Raiders, and the Warriors. Additionally, rumor has it MC Hammer is contemplating a transfer to Branson.
Let that sink in.
Even with their bad-boy picture, the Raiders left Oakland in the hunt for a safer house. They settled on Las Vegas after Beirut and Kabul each handed.
Aspect notice, I believe that when the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, the NFL ought to have made them change their title. How concerning the Las Vegas B-Ladies? The Lap Dancers? The Pawn Brokers? The Strippers Who Are Additionally Single Mothers? The Slot Machine Gamers With Emphysema?
Naw, they’re nonetheless the Raiders.
However Melanie’s query was an incredible one, as a result of Oakland is a dumpster hearth.
A lot so, that even California Gov. Gavin Newsom is feeling the warmth.
Earlier this month, Newsom stated he was deploying an extra 120 California Freeway Patrol officers to the East Bay after 2023 crime statistics present violent crime in Oakland is up 21 p.c, robberies are up 38 p.c, and automobile thefts are up 45 p.c.
Automobile theft is so dangerous now that some Oakland automobile thieves are even prepared to steal electrical ones.
On the brilliant facet, the A’s had been solely sixth within the league in stolen bases.
So, they’ve that going for them.
All of that is a part of a “legislation enforcement surge operation.”
In a written assertion, Newsom stated, “As crime charges throughout California lower — together with proper throughout the Bay in San Francisco — Oakland is seeing the alternative pattern…What’s taking place on this lovely metropolis and surrounding space is alarming and unacceptable…I’m sending the California Freeway Patrol to help native efforts to revive a way of security that the hardworking folks of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve.”
In response, Oakland Metropolis Councilman Noel Gallo advised KGO-TV, “For the governor to ship us 120 freeway patrol officers, I’m in full help of that and I’m going to even add ship me the nationwide guard if it’s important to!”
Subsequently, Newsom additionally introduced that he’s sending prosecutors from the state to assist prosecute “critical and complicated” circumstances in Alameda County amid their crime surge.
Newsom’s method is also called the Warren Zevon Technique: You realize: “Ship Attorneys, Weapons and Cash.”
Even though they’ve turned their metropolis right into a battle zone, Oakland politicians are among the many most politically formidable within the state.
Not solely does Congresswoman Lee need to be the subsequent U.S. Senator representing California, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is now operating for state Treasurer, and former Oakland-area Assemblyman and present Legal professional Common Rob Bonta is rumored to be placing collectively a marketing campaign to run for governor, when that seat opens up in 2026.
Lee, Schaaf and Bonta stand accused of turning Oakland right into a crime-ridden hellhole, and so they’re responsible as charged. However because it’s Oakland they’ll in all probability be launched with out bail on their very own recognisance.
I’m a giant believer in “The Pottery Barn Rule: of politics: You break it, you purchase it. These politicians broke Oakland. If their hubris and narcissism are so sturdy that they assume they deserve a job – no much less promotions – in authorities, they need to begin by fixing what they broke.
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