Photo By Mark6mauno/Flickr Creative Commons
Column By Mike Bibb
Got to give it U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-D), she’s as goofy as ever.
Maxine seems to possess an uncanny knack for stirring up trouble. If there’s any way the California politician can create havoc, you can be sure she’s at the head of the line. Even in a state she doesn’t represent.
Her most recent exhibition was performed in Minnesota at the murder trial of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was indicted and tried for the murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd during an arrest incident last year. Chauvin was found guilty of the three counts against him.
According to USA Today, April 19, 2021, before jury deliberations, Maxine was in the streets chanting, “If nothing happens, then we know. . .we’ve got to not only stay in the streets, that we’ve got to fight for justice. I am very hopeful that we’re going to get a verdict that is guilty, guilty, guilty. And we if don’t, we cannot go away.”
She also used other provocative terms – “get more active,” “more confrontational” and “to make sure they know that we mean business” – when encouraging demonstrators to continue protesting.
Not unexpectedly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (CA-D), was asked by CNN’s Annie Grayer if she thought Maxine should apologize for her remarks, Pelosi quickly replied “No, she doesn’t.”
Minneapolis was rocked by horrific riots and looting immediately following Floyd’s death. Maxine’s insistence upon a guilty decision or “we cannot go away” warning may have prompted jury members to consider the ramifications of their decisions. A return to the chaos of last summer was a distinct possibility.
Readers may recall former President Donald Trump was lambasted by the media for suggesting on Jan. 6, 2021, his supporters, “Peacefully and patriotically march to the Capital” and “fight” for fair elections. He also added, “If they don’t fight (meaning certain members of Congress), we have to primary the hell out of the ones that don’t fight.”
Waters, on the other hand, was implying a “guilty” verdict be announced and if it wasn’t, the people should “stay in the streets” and “fight for justice” and become “more confrontational” if a guilty verdict was not rendered then “we cannot go away.”
“Peacefully march to the capitol” and “primary” political opponents compared to “stay in the streets . . .and fight for justice.” A not-so-subtle hint to continue the rioting.
Folks really should begin to seriously consider the apparent bias of most of the media. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to read or hear a social or political story that hasn’t been tainted by corporate opinion or skewed facts.
Like the weather, certain news releases change hourly to reflect someone’s personal perceptions or ideological preferences. Often to such an extent, the news is no longer a factual announcement of “who, what, where, why, and how,” but a distorted propaganda bulletin posted to intentionally influence the public’s misconceptions of a particular event.
For instance, there’s been little mention George Floyd’s family was previously awarded $27 million by the city of Minneapolis before the Chauvin trial began. A trial and verdict had not yet been conducted, but a decision had already been made to financially appease the family. Not certain how the $27 million figure was decided upon, since Floyd had never lived a lifestyle that could remotely justify a multi-million-dollar settlement.
Maxine is an ego-driven publicity hound and professional agitator, obviously. She ventures into situations she can involve herself, knowing the press will be present to film and comment upon her antics. It’s a strategy she’s successfully used for over twenty-five years. Admittedly, it seems to work.
However, she hasn’t fooled everyone. Facing reelection every two years, Waters is regularly exposed for her bizarre performances by election opponents seeking to reveal her scripted stunts. A recent campaign rival disclosed the fact Maxine no longer resides in the California area she represents and instead has a multimillion-dollar abode in a posh neighborhood many miles from her congressional district.
While factually correct, state redistricting was the primary reason for Maxine’s residence being placed outside her present congressional district. Still, her voting constituents continue to reelect her. Which makes a person wonder why? She must be cleverer than the average voter in her district.
What is in question is if her bellicose theatrics influenced the Chauvin jury? Presiding trial Judge Peter Cahill advised Chauvin’s defense that “Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned.” For a judge to hint at a possible avenue of appeal is not something they normally do.
Continuing with his admonition, the judge cautioned, “I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch.”
“Their failure to do so, I think, is abhorrent, but I don’t think it has prejudiced us with additional material that would prejudice this jury,” he remarked, “A congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter a whole lot.”
Bingo! Maxine’s blubbering, as usual, “really doesn’t matter a whole lot.” Only now, the judge has officially made her outbursts a matter of public record. Whether it influences an appeal is yet to be seen.
I seriously doubt Maxine is smart enough to comprehend the significance of the judge’s suggestion. Or even cares. She’ll probably continue to run her mouth, provoke unrest and blame all social ills on everyone not agreeing with her point of view.
Of course, we may expect she’ll irrationally inject the overly hyped “systemic racism” accusation every given opportunity. Systemic racism has become the left’s catchphrase of the day. Without it, they’re compelled to discuss actual issues affecting our society.
Kind of like Maxine used to do when repeatedly tormenting President Trump with her nauseating “Impeach 45!” tirades. Even before he took office!
