Randy Smith offers a dispassionate and thoughtful analysis of the increasingly surreal case of Jack Messer and racist comments that were made, or not made.
The crux of the issue remains this, as phrased by Randy: "Without a formal complaint, how does this become a public issue? How does the Merit Commission even take up the matter?"
I like Jack Messer, and believe he's done a fine job on the council. I've no clue as to his job performance as police officer, and having heard nothing negative, I'm inclined to take it as a positive -- not unlike umpiring. If his words have violated the racial compact, there obviously must be discipline. But surely there is a procedure to determine this apart from the unfolding trial by press release and media circus?
Does such a procedure exist? Or, are we seeing it now? I'm neither rushing to defend not hurrying to distance, just inquiring ...
Zero Tolerance, But What's Real and What's Not?
... Wednesday evening, the New Albany chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) successfully summoned all 4 local TV stations, 2 local newspapers, and inadvertently 1 Internet journalist to a press conference on the steps of the New Albany Police Department.
The occasion was a hitherto unknown meeting of the Police Merit Commission, whose purpose was to conduct an inquiry into whether comments made by police officer Jack Messer in January constituted officially inappropriate conduct.
Obviously this is too political of a subject for me to put my two cents in about, but I will object to something Randy wrote.
ReplyDelete"But most importantly, forgetting procedure, due process, and the accused’s rights, does anyone sincerely believe that Jack Messer is a racist? I seriously doubt it. And if my doubts are valid, then why is this “incident” something that deserves coverage by 4 network affiliates and 2 newspapers (plus a blog or two)?"
As a former reporter, Randy knows good and well this is a story. When you're an elected official and police officer, everything you say matters.
Look at just what happened to Big Ben. According to the police, he didn't break any laws but he's being suspended because he's a public figure. That story doesn't get nearly the ink if Big Ben's not a star qb. When you're a public figure, you're held to a higher standard.
If you choose to label it such, I guess you can say we're being used to get a message out. By the same token, I don't mind being used by Mr. messer to get his message out when and if he decides to speak. That's my duty, to get messages out to the public and information. Also the NAACP is a well-respected and established organization. To shrug off what they have to say, in my opinion, would almost be an example of racism.
Speaking personally, I remain confused by the law and the procedures that have brought us to this juncture.
ReplyDeleteIf attorneys reading would like to comment, please do so.
Eagerly awaiting the trapeze artists. Has anyone seen the peanut vendor?
ReplyDeleteJust don't mention the (war)(bearded ladies)(Copperhead charmer).
ReplyDeleteI'm not so good with the copperhead charming. Haven't ever tried to charm a bearded lady, but it sounds better than war.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm silly enough to think that focusing on the racism and inequity inherent in our transportation, land use, tax, and educational policies might be worthwhile so what do I know?
Maybe Jack Messer and the NAACP could sit down and have a beer together. Perhaps at the Mayor's house. Locally brewed beer, of course.
ReplyDeleteI personally think this whole issue is being completely blown out of proportion by the NAACP and the new media.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion may well be biased as I have known Jack my entire life almost, but he made a dumb comment, and I dont think it was any worse than that.
Organizations feeling the need to constantly pour salt on fresh wounds is often just as bad as the situation that led up it all.
Perhaps during the upcoming Bicentennial jerk-off, a brief history of racial relations in New Albany, leading up to the forced relocation of New Albany's historic Black neighborhood (west end) to a housing project next to a country club, could be presented. Randy may want to consider how elements of the community, ie, not white males, regard these sorts of "incidents", given their history here and there continued total shut-out of political power. You sound like the Tea Party-ers who believe too much has been made of racism in this country.
ReplyDeleteToo much has NOT been made of racism. Too much has been made of people going to extremes to crucify anyone who even mutters anything that could be taken as racism.
ReplyDeleteThere is a significant difference bewteen the oppression, abuse, and discrimination of a people because they are "different" and a situation where a damn good cop, a damn good man, who has dedicated his entire adult life to serving EVERYONE in this community regardless of their race, say something inappropriate.
The man said one wrong sentence, and because of that decades of FAIR and EQUAL treatment of the community as a law enforcement officer are out the window and not even considerable, because of one 5 second sentence that the "quote" has changed on several times.
As far as the treatment of minorities in the history of this town, take it a step further, and aske the Indians Gina how they feel, oh thats right the tribes that were here do not exist anymore.
YEs, historically minorities have been treated like shit, my family came to america as endentured servants (white slaves), the Irish, Scots, Poles, Asians, Aboriginals, had all been dealt a crappy hand.
But by God, there is no way to move passed that and chnage the future if everytime someone THINKS a person is racist, there will be those who feel the need to bring up history, and as such are all to quick to roll out a crucifix to nail some poor bastard to.
It's funny that once again the readers of this blog turn the other cheek when Mr. Messer slips up. If Mr. Coffey was the one in this position, I believe everyone here would be calling for his head on a copperhead-decorated platter.
ReplyDeleteAs Daniel said, Mr. Messer is a councilman, potential mayoral candidate and, most importantly, an officer. Not only that, but he made these statements in his uniform while representing the law and the city of New Albany. That is not OK.
As for the comments getting too much attention, why don't you ask the supervising officer? Obviously, this wasn't just a joke around friends, since his superior felt it necessary to make a report about the comments.
In response to Mr. Christopher D., this "one wrong sentence" was a truly despicable statement belittling another race of humans. Does this mean his career is over? No. But a suspension does sound fair.
By the way, who said that his decades of duty are forgotten? I don't think anyone did.
Yours truly,
Evan
Just wondering, Evan, to which of the couple hundred or so today does "readers of this blog" refer?
ReplyDelete"As for the comments getting too much attention, why don't you ask the supervising officer? Obviously, this wasn't just a joke around friends, since his superior felt it necessary to make a report about the comments."
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that the supervising officer made the report after being asked by the Chief to do it, not because he felt it was necessary at the time.
From the article.."Harl was not asked to detail what happened during the meeting until he met with Chief Greg Crabtree Feb. 12, according to the report. Harl said no officers seemed to get mad over Messer’s statements when they were made."
Just so that point is clear.
Evan wrote,
ReplyDelete"It's funny that once again the readers of this blog turn the other cheek when Mr. Messer slips up."
Roger wrote,
"If his words have violated the racial compact, there obviously must be discipline."
While Evans might not have included Roger in "readers of this blog," I don't consider "there obviously must be discipline" to be turning the other cheek.
Evan,
ReplyDeleteI am not advocating turning the other cheek. I am however advocating that the totality of the circumstance be taken into full consideration. Which is NOT occurring in the media.
Yes, Messer is a police officer, yes he is an elected official, and potential mayoral candidate (or at least he was), I just feel that the reaction to this situation is being completely blown out of proportion, and the overblown attention that is being given to this will only serve to create deeper divides in the community than the incident would have ever caused had the situation been allowed to run its course with the departmental disciplinary process and should the merit board chosen to do so a reprimand issued.
Now, however, with the media saturated pressure and the inability to back down from the NAACP with out being branded as themselves being racist or condoning racism, the "punishment" is going to almost certainly greatly outweigh the act. If it does not, it would not be unexpected for the local chapter of the NAACP to call in regional, if not national attention until they are satisfied.
(Disclaimer: I am not against the NAACP, however I am against some of the tactics they use when they decide its time to put the spotlight on someone)
Evan, I'll guarantee you that if Dan Coffey were in the same position I would be just as concerned and willing to write about it. I don't know what Coffey's "core belief" is. I think I do know what Jack Messer's are - and so do the people who were in that room. The "quote" does not represent those beliefs and the people in that room knew then and know now the meaning of all of his words.
ReplyDeleteIt's not necessary that anyone agree with Jack's political views, and I think an awful lot of people who are eager to jump on him with two booted feet would react differently if they had been in that room and heard Jack explain himself.
When Jack is free to discuss it, let's just hope there will be anyone left willing to listen to him.
"You sound like the Tea Party-ers who believe too much has been made of racism in this country."
ReplyDeleteNot from my end, as it is not my habit to offer succor to racists. Rather, I await enlightenment as to the law and the procedure.
Evan: Welcome back.