Words Fail Me

Actually they don't, but I try to keep this blog family-friendly. So kids, cover your eyes: The Mayor is a lying prick.

That's my mayor, as in Rahm of Chicago. At least now we know where the Obama administration's disdain for Constitutional freedoms comes from:

Emanuel also wants aldermen to double the maximum fine to $1,000 for protesters charged with resisting or obstructing a police officer, as well as those helping arrested protesters to escape custody. The minimum fine would soar to $200, which would be a $175 increase.

Emanuel also wants to prevent people from entering public parks and beaches before 6 a.m., two hours later than now allowed. They would continue to close at 11 p.m.

And loud noise, amplified sound and music at parades, athletic events and public assemblies would be allowed only between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Rules on the use of sidewalks and streets also would be tightened.

The administration did not detail how the changes would affect protesters, saying only it would bring Chicago more in line with restrictions in other cities and make ordinances easier to enforce.

"We are taking steps to ensure we have safe, secure and peaceful protests," police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in a statement.

This is in relation to the NATO/G8 meetings next spring. And in case you haven't noticed, "resisting or obstructing a police officer" means whatever the police officer decides it does.

Mayoral aides pointed to the city's handling of the recent Occupy Chicago protests in Grant Park as evidence of the administration's ability to walk that fine line. Although the Occupy movement caused sometimes rough clashes between police and protesters in other cities, larger-than-typical mass arrests in Chicago have gone off peacefully.

Leaving aside the distinct possibility that police actions in other cities may very well have been calculated to generate a violent response -- and note how to the Tribune, it's the Occupy movement that caused the rough clashes -- the irony of that last sentence is almost palpable. Let's hear it for our corporate media, who don't even seem to twitch when they come out with a howler like "larger-than-typical mass arrests" indicating that the administration can walk the fine line between guaranteeing people's rights and enforcing the law.

There are days I just want to scream.