RioBravo

The recent crime wave in Macon has stirred the fires of controversy. Not only are the local talk shows and news media abuzz with this and related issues; it has now resulted in deserved, but negative, national media attention which harms every business and person in the Middle Georgia area.

On Crime

Rio Bravo was robbed. A nice restaurant in a safe part of town. In addition to shots being fired, three of the people present were raped. Our symphathies are extended to all of the victims of this crime, as well as the many other crimes which are occurring throughout the area.

The result of this particular robbery was a lot of public outcry, and subsequent press coverage. Another result has been a rash of crime. Some of it was committed by the same people, some by others. Perhaps some of the crime is the result of copycats, but more likely, criminals have now realized how soft certain targets are. The most telling result is that Rio Bravo is now shut down.

There are quite a few suggestions floating about to solve this rash of crime. We would like

to offer a few of our own:

1) In addition to the crimes, there have been quite a few arrests and aborted robberies of late. We challenge the members of the press (and ourselves) to pay just as much attention to the positive news as they do to the crimes. Write as many stories, and give them the same priority as the coverage of the crime itself. Why are we not hearing as much about the foiled robbery attempt at CVS as we hear about Rio Bravo robbery? A recent conversation with the new Sheriff indicated this is a significant issue. (authors footnote: The Macon Telegraph is to be commended for placing a story about a robbery arrest top-center of the 1/18/01 paper)

2) As our party chairman suggested at a recent Macon City Council meeting, we need to place this crime wave as the highest of our governmental priorities. We should remember that Mayor Ellis recently fired an effective Chief of Police. He also directed the city police to select firearms based on politics rather than effectiveness, safety or cost. Under orders from Jack Ellis, the police switched from Glock to Smith and Wesson firearms. Smith and Wesson won political favor with the Clinton administration when they settled a lawsuit and agreed to non-legislated gun control measures. We urge the Mayor and the City Council to end their petty, inconsequential bickering and the politicking, which is at the expense of the citizens of Macon. How many of these crimes might not have happened if our priority had been public safety, instead of squabbling over the political issues of the police chief? Let us get a permanent police chief, hired for his or her ability to get the job done, and oblivious to the color of his or her skin. And let us do it fast!

3) Let us end the prohibition of Macon Police officers serving while off-duty as security for ALL local businesses. Right now, they cannot serve in the places they are most needed, establishments which serve alcohol. This was suggested in November, 2000 at a Public Safety Committee meeting, but apparently the voices of bar owners were not heard by this committee. Or was it not important enough for them to act upon?

4) The Mayor, and every member of the Macon City Council should use his or her political influence to lobby for a change in Georgia concealed-carry laws. Right now, it is illegal for a person, even with a proper permit, to take a concealed weapon into an establishment which sells alcohol for consumption on the premises. Like Rio Bravo.

5) We urge the police department and other city officials to start teaching gun safety, other self-defense and crime awareness courses, or in the very least, to quit criticizing those who wish to take the rational approach of self-defense. The courts have upheld, in cases like Warren v. D.C.and Bowers v. DeVito that the police are not required to protect each individual, but the community as a whole. Therefore, it is our responsibility to defend ourselves. Please don't hinder us in this process, and if possible, help us out.

6) We urge the public to become involved in programs like the non-taxpayer funded CrimeStoppers organization.

For more information about our positions on crime and gun control, please visit About the Bibb County Libertarian Party.

On Neal Boortz, Race Relations, and the Mayor

According to the Macon Telegraph, Mayor Ellis recently compared Neal Boortz, and by implication his listeners, to David Duke, the former KKK leader. Neal Boortz is the syndicated libertarian talk show host who appears daily on AM-940 WMAC. He dedicated part of his three-hour show on January 17, 2001 to the recent crime wave in Macon. Boortz did not directly criticize Ellis, or the Macon police. He did say about the Mayor "I am still waiting for someone to tell me something good about him".

County party Chairman David Corr stated: "I am extremely disappointed Mayor Ellis has chosen to link the libertarian views of Neal Boortz to the racist views of David Duke. Everybody knows Neal is an opponent of racism. Boortz has often criticized Duke and the Klan on his show over the years. Black leaders such as former Atlanta Mayor Andy Young and the late Hosea Williams were friends of Boortz and never claimed he was a racist. His co-host Royal Marshall is black. Ellis also suggests listeners to the Boortz show need to question their judgement and listening habits. What about listeners to Jesse Jackson and Farrahkan? A little selective on the mayor's part? I guess before long the politically correct crowd will want listeners to the Boortz show to be committed and undergo counseling. I believe Ellis should apologize for his insulting remarks."

How about it, Mr. Mayor? If you made the comments of which you are accused; Mr. Boortz and many of your constituents who listen to his show are certainly due a loud, public, and immediate apology. If you don't feel that Boortz is like David Duke, and that the judgement of listeners of the Boortz program does not need to be questioned, let us be the first to apologize to you, Mr. Mayor.

It should be noted that Mayor Ellis issued (AM-940, January 23, 2001) a weak apology to Mr. Boortz, stating, "I don't think he's a David Duke."

After explaining that Mr. Boortz is an entertainer, he said, "He try[s] to get people fired up."

It should also be noted that an apology to the listeners of the Boortz program, who were also criticized, was not aired in his statement.

This was written by S. Philip Gordon with significant contributions from David Corr and Michael Quinn.



	home The recent crime wave in Macon has stirred the fires of controversy. Not only are the local talk shows and news media abuzz with this and related issues; it has now resulted in deserved, but negative, national media attention which harms every business and person in the Middle Georgia area. On Crime Rio Bravo was robbed. A nice restaurant in a safe part of town. In addition to shots being fired, three of the people present were raped. Our symphathies are extended to all of the victims of this crime, as well as the many other crimes which are occurring throughout the area. The result of this particular robbery was a lot of public outcry, and subsequent press coverage. Another result has been a rash of crime. Some of it was committed by the same people, some by others. Perhaps some of the crime is the result of copycats, but more likely, criminals have now realized how soft certain targets are. The most telling result is that Rio Bravo is now shut down. There are quite a few suggestions floating about to solve this rash of crime. We would like to offer a few of our own: 1) In addition to the crimes, there have been quite a few arrests and aborted robberies of late. We challenge the members of the press (and ourselves) to pay just as much attention to the positive news as they do to the crimes. Write as many stories, and give them the same priority as the coverage of the crime itself. Why are we not hearing as much about the foiled robbery attempt at CVS as we hear about Rio Bravo robbery? A recent conversation with the new Sheriff indicated this is a significant issue. (authors footnote: The Macon Telegraph is to be commended for placing a story about a robbery arrest top-center of the 1/18/01 paper) 2) As our party chairman suggested at a recent Macon City Council meeting, we need to place this crime wave as the highest of our governmental priorities. We should remember that Mayor Ellis recently fired an effective Chief of Police. He also directed the city police to select firearms based on politics rather than effectiveness, safety or cost. Under orders from Jack Ellis, the police switched from Glock to Smith and Wesson firearms. Smith and Wesson won political favor with the Clinton administration when they settled a lawsuit and agreed to non-legislated gun control measures. We urge the Mayor and the City Council to end their petty, inconsequential bickering and the politicking, which is at the expense of the citizens of Macon. How many of these crimes might not have happened if our priority had been public safety, instead of squabbling over the political issues of the police chief? Let us get a permanent police chief, hired for his or her ability to get the job done, and oblivious to the color of his or her skin. And let us do it fast! 3) Let us end the prohibition of Macon Police officers serving while off-duty as security for ALL local businesses. Right now, they cannot serve in the places they are most needed, establishments which serve alcohol. This was suggested in November, 2000 at a Public Safety Committee meeting, but apparently the voices of bar owners were not heard by this committee. Or was it not important enough for them to act upon? 4) The Mayor, and every member of the Macon City Council should use his or her political influence to lobby for a change in Georgia concealed-carry laws. Right now, it is illegal for a person, even with a proper permit, to take a concealed weapon into an establishment which sells alcohol for consumption on the premises. Like Rio Bravo. 5) We urge the police department and other city officials to start teaching gun safety, other self-defense and crime awareness courses, or in the very least, to quit criticizing those who wish to take the rational approach of self-defense. The courts have upheld, in cases like Warren v. D.C.and Bowers v. DeVito that the police are not required to protect each individual, but the community as a whole. Therefore, it is our responsibility to defend ourselves. Please don't hinder us in this process, and if possible, help us out. 6) We urge the public to become involved in programs like the non-taxpayer funded CrimeStoppers organization. For more information about our positions on crime and gun control, please visit About the Bibb County Libertarian Party. On Neal Boortz, Race Relations, and the Mayor According to the Macon Telegraph, Mayor Ellis recently compared Neal Boortz, and by implication his listeners, to David Duke, the former KKK leader. Neal Boortz is the syndicated libertarian talk show host who appears daily on AM-940 WMAC. He dedicated part of his three-hour show on January 17, 2001 to the recent crime wave in Macon. Boortz did not directly criticize Ellis, or the Macon police. He did say about the Mayor "I am still waiting for someone to tell me something good about him". County party Chairman David Corr stated: "I am extremely disappointed Mayor Ellis has chosen to link the libertarian views of Neal Boortz to the racist views of David Duke. Everybody knows Neal is an opponent of racism. Boortz has often criticized Duke and the Klan on his show over the years. Black leaders such as former Atlanta Mayor Andy Young and the late Hosea Williams were friends of Boortz and never claimed he was a racist. His co-host Royal Marshall is black. Ellis also suggests listeners to the Boortz show need to question their judgement and listening habits. What about listeners to Jesse Jackson and Farrahkan? A little selective on the mayor's part? I guess before long the politically correct crowd will want listeners to the Boortz show to be committed and undergo counseling. I believe Ellis should apologize for his insulting remarks." How about it, Mr. Mayor? If you made the comments of which you are accused; Mr. Boortz and many of your constituents who listen to his show are certainly due a loud, public, and immediate apology. If you don't feel that Boortz is like David Duke, and that the judgement of listeners of the Boortz program does not need to be questioned, let us be the first to apologize to you, Mr. Mayor. It should be noted that Mayor Ellis issued (AM-940, January 23, 2001) a weak apology to Mr. Boortz, stating, "I don't think he's a David Duke." After explaining that Mr. Boortz is an entertainer, he said, "He try[s] to get people fired up." It should also be noted that an apology to the listeners of the Boortz program, who were also criticized, was not aired in his statement. This was written by S. Philip Gordon with significant contributions from David Corr and Michael Quinn.