"Our city is under siege by rioters."

There is some truth to the conservative claim that Democratic office holders and party leaders are being shoved further to the left on race and other issues than the party as a whole, than registered Democrats, and than independents who lean Democratic.

It is a nice question how far the Democrats have become the captives of their own extremists, and another which party is more its own extremists' captive.

But fifty days of chaos are pretty good evidence of local officials' criminal unwillingness or pitiful inability to restore peace and order to their cities.

The Republicans have been pushed by the stupidity of their extremists, the worst of whom is in the White House, to pour gasoline on the Coronavirus wild fire.

The Democrats have allowed chaos, destruction, and violence in the cities.

The country is a mess largely thanks to the horrific polarization of our politics.

I have generally favored closed primaries and opposed open primaries.

But maybe those who argue closed primaries help put both parties too much at the mercy of their own extremists have a point.

Portland Police Union Head Slams City Officials: They ‘Have Condoned the Destruction and Chaos’

Fifty days of increasing insanity.

Portland Police Association president Daryl Turner slammed elected officials at a press conference on Sunday, a day after the union’s offices were set on fire amid continuing riots in the city.

Since the death of George Floyd, an African American man killed during his arrest by Minneapolis police officers, Portland has seen 50 days of protests and riots. 

Federal law enforcement officers have deployed to the city over the past several weeks, clashing with protesters.

Turner alleged that Oregon officials have allowed the violence to continue unabated.

“The elected officials have condoned the destruction and chaos,” Turner said on Sunday, standing with 20 faith and business leaders from Portland. 

“They have placed their political agenda ahead [of the] safety and welfare of the community. This must stop.”

Turner continued, “This is no longer about George Floyd, racial equity, social justice reform or the evolution of policing,” Turner said. 

“This is about violence, rioting and destruction. Our city is under siege by rioters.”