Pete Buttigieg's comments at town hall after recent violence

[left-of-center2012]

"If anyone who is on patrol is shown to be a racist or to do something racist in a way that is substantiated, that is their last day on the street," Buttigieg responded.

He added that the city will look into any tools to help it better evaluate officers' racist activity.

"I don’t want to seem defensive, but we have taken a lot of steps. They clearly haven’t been enough. But I can’t accept the suggestion that we haven’t done anything," Buttigieg said. "I acknowledge that it has not been enough, I would like as many different voices to be in the process as possible. ... It’s why we’re here."

Throughout the evening, residents pushed Buttigieg about why the body camera that the city purchased wasn’t used.
Buttigieg said the failure could have happened because of the technology,
the written policy
or the individual officer.
He said he can’t yet speak to the specifics of Sunday’s shooting, which is under review.

However, he said the administration hired the officer, wrote the policy and purchased the technology.
"At the end of the day, I'm responsible," Buttigieg said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/449945-tensions-boil-over-at-buttigieg-town-hall

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. The people want immediate help for their anger, and he can't accomplish that.

Last edited Sun Jun 23, 2019, 08:21 PM - Edit history (1)

There are bureaucracies to be dealt with and channels to follow.

This is a very touchy place to be in, for both sides.

I think he's doing the best he can by being there, and by explaining just what he can do.

I hope at least some of the community is listening, but unfortunately, the noisy ones are the people we hear.

Yelling accomplishes nothing.

[leftofcool]

2. That's what a real leader says

They don't pass the buck, they don't hedge, the take the blame then try to make things better.

[Politicub]

3. The buck stops here

Buttigieg is in a tough spot; it's a true test of his leadership abilities. He's doing as well as can be considering the terrible circumstances of what happened.

It means a lot to people when a leader accepts responsibility. He can pivot to enacting lasting, meaningful change.

[tulipsandroses]

4. He is showing real leadership

Yes people are angry. They have righteous anger. Let them express themselves. Stages of Grief of Loss.

If he keeps showing up. Their anger will dissipate. The anger will linger if they think they are not being heard, or think it will be more of the same.

As I watch him trying to navigate this I am thinking of Bobby Kennedy and how he handled angry black people during his time and how he listened and became a civil rights champion.

[True Dough]

5. If only life were all tulipsandroses!

Great post. Thanks for your perspective.

[lambchopp59]

6. I can get excited for a candidate like Pete

Or Harris, or Warren.
I've seen right here on DU that even the left-leaning aren't "ready" for an LGBT president.
But the youth vote is.
He's my choice, as being a sharp, and most in-your-face "screw-you GOP goofballs" politician.
I doubt Pete will win. This time.
But expect him to run again. and again.
Until the day we really see steps towards equality, responsibility, equanimity, and evolved policymaking.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Thank you for your thoughtful, heartfelt post. It is sorely needed. n/t