[March 30, 2018] Soldiers in the military often encounter situations in a battle that are difficult to navigate because of conflicting values. Those values underpin how they are supposed to behave. For example, if a commander decides to attack an enemy hideout, it is likely that U.S. soldiers will die. The moral conflict is clear; protecting one’s soldiers versus but the decision to attack will result in death. A moral dilemma is difficult under any circumstance and one for us to address here at theLeaderMaker.com has arisen in the City of Chicago.
A recent study by Paul Cassell and Richard Fowles of the University of Utah documented a spike in homicides and shootings in Chicago in 2016. Using a variety of research tools, they were able to determine with considerable confidence that the homicide and shooting rate increase was due to the city’s ending of their stop and frisk policy. When this policy is ended and crime increases, it is commonly called the “ACLU effect.”
Cities across the U.S. have been ending their “stop and frisk” policies that govern police behavior. This policy is controversial because there is a delicate balance between individual rights versus the common good. It is argued that stop and frisk policies affect racial minorities more than whites and thus discriminatory in its application.
In the case of Chicago, 2016 was witness to approximately 236 more homicides and 1,115 additional shootings. The social costs associated with the increase in violence are estimated at $1.5 billion, with the black and Hispanic communities most affected. In other words, decisions by Chicago’s politicians have had the effect of killing citizens of their city.
Here is the moral dilemma; “Should the common good outweigh the rights of individuals?” That very question is being asked at the highest levels of state and federal government. Answers are not easy. The problem? More will die for every day the ACLU effect remains in effect. Those who made the decision should understand this and that the blood of their citizens is on their hands. Either they understand this or their ability to make good moral choices is weak.
Chicago is not the only city with this experience yet we hear nothing from our government officials about the issue. Failure to discuss the ramifications honestly and openly is in itself troubling and leads us to believe they simply don’t care. They would rather blame inanimate objects for murder than blame people who use tools to kill.
For the military commander who orders his troops into battle knows that some will potentially be killed and others crippled for life. While many think the decision here is an easy one, they have never been in combat; they have not walked in our boots.
Baltimore and Chicago make other socialist-run cities look like pikers when it comes to increasing crime rates. The reason is simple, when politicians tie the hands of law enforcement and prevent them from carrying out their constitutionally-allowable duties, criminals pay attention. In large cities where the ACLU has a free reign, the results are predictable.
Sadako Red. I’m a big fan of yours, of course. But if you could write about the effect of the ACLU, BLM, and other leftist groups upon the deteriorating “culture” of big cities, Baltimore in particular, in the near future it would be appreciated.
It was not that long ago where politicians actually did things that were for the good of their community and nation. It didn’t matter which political party or ideological slant. They believed that as long as they obeyed the guidance set forth in the US Constitution, they would be doing the right thing. Sure there were arguments and strong disagreements but there were very few who wanted to tinker with our nation’s foundation. People now think that just becuase they are in the party in power, that gives them the right to do as they wish.
Democrats, communists, dictators are all in the same class on this. Moral dilemma’s don’t exist becuase they have the “high moral ground.”
Good points Bryan.
Maybe politicians should take a class in commonsense that would cut back a little on the socialist ideology.
You are making too much sens.
THe sad part is that more and more people believe that Chicago is going in the RIGHT DIRECTION.
When politicians are involved moral dilemmas often go unresolved. The reason is simple. They do what is necessary to get reelected. Solving problems, except to placate their voters, is not a priority.
A good article recently in RedState reinforces this idea and goes into some good detail. They also produce a chart that shows the murder rate compared to the decline in stop and frisk policies. It is very telling. https://www.redstate.com/streiff/2018/03/27/chicago-can-thank-well-known-anti-american-group-sky-high-murder-rate/
Yes Billy and the authors point at the ACLU as an “anti-American” group which is directly to blame. So we can put the onus on not just politicians but ALL members of the ACLU.
How true this is!
I agree that Chicago is getting worse. But those that lead the city are oblivious to the reality all around them. PC thinking by our political leaders in its application is killing people.
There is a “clash of civilizations” going on and it’s not just between nations; it’s also within the U.S. There are those that are totally blinded by their ideology that good comes from giving everything to the downtrodden (communism and socialism) versus those that believe that freedom is the solution.
Too sad. The very people these politicians are failing are the very ones that vote for them in increasing numbers.
Yes, but that is only part of the problem.
We have this same moral dilemma across the nation, including cities such as Dallas, Houston, NYC, Baltimore (just read Sadako Red), and many more. I think many miss the point here. The politicians don’t believe their policies are what is causing the spike in murder and violent crime. They think its racism, too many guns on the street, inadequate laws, etc. It shows they have no ability to make good judgments in the face of overwhelming evidence what they do is failing.