UNCIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

It was writer Richard Wright who famously stated that 'all literature is a form of protest.' It was his friend James Baldwin who famously replied to him by saying, 'perhaps, but not all protest is literature.'

It is James Baldwin's retort that resonates with today's dysfunctional culture.

The pithy retort of Baldwin's 'not all protest is literature' reminds me of a one Adam Rupeka.

Mr. Rupeka is the individual that most recently drove his car up from Troy to Saratoga Springs to bait a Saratoga Springs police officer by giving him the finger. Of course the officer was offended (and who wouldn't be) and pulled Mr. Rupeka over and pepper sprayed Rupeka in the face. And then Rupeka was arrested.I think he got what he asked for. I liken it to ordering a well-done steak and then complaining that the steak is too tough.

It used to be that alpha-males punched beta-males like Rupeka in the face when they behaved inappropriately. It was a perfect Darwinian arrangement. Assholes like Rupeka got a beatdown for their anti-social behavior. As a result, our law enforcement personnel could attend to more important matters and our court systems wasn't clogged with petty issues such as this.

In my humble opinion, Mr. Rupeka is a reactionary pretending to be a revolutionary. This is absurd to those who are paying attention. He is merely part of the lunatic fringe trying his hand at activism. He is no James O'Keefe. Rupeka's behavior is uncivil and is an affront to Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience.

Truth be told, Saratoga Springs has always been known for having a rogue police force. The problem with having some bad apples on the police force is with their union which is one of the most powerful in the country. It is exactly why I have advocated against unions for a long time. All unions seem to do, regardless of the industry is to protect bad employees.

I do not think that officer Nathan Baker should fired for pepper-spraying Mr. Rupeka. The problem that law enforcement faces is that so many citizens (especially in the black community) not only do not respect those in law enforcement, they no longer fear those in law enforcement. Therein lies the real problem. Police officers are killed in the line of duty everyday in this country. Are they killed by people who are afraid of them? No they are not. They are killed by people who have no regard for human life and no regard for their fellow Americans.

Our culture is broken and is in need of fixing. Too many nowadays think it's okay to break the law, disrespect others and are practitioners of being insulted and outraged merely for the sake of being insulted and outraged. Gimme a break.

Giving law enforcement the finger isn't protest. It is immature and stupid. Immature male behavior has always been a component of American life. There are way too many Adam Rupeka's taking up space in the culture. They should be shunned and not celebrated. We need to bring back respect, civility, and the idea of civic duty back to American culture.

Does Mr. Rupeka have a job? What does he do? Is he yet another adult-man-child living in his mothers basement and as a result, has too much time on his hands? Does he volunteer in his community of Troy? I am guessing he doesn't. He is a fraud and an imposter in a culture that seems to idolize such idiocy. I believe his fifteen minutes of fame is mercifully over.  

THE CAPTAIN AMERICA TEAM

As stated in the past, there are at least 3 contributors or superhero's as I like to call us that post to this blog.  We hope you enjoy the diversity and the responses they provoke.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR SARATOGA

Saratoga has expanded everything except its roadways. The new traffic light on South Broadway near the Hilton Garden Inn is already creating major traffic jams and racing season isn't even here yet. The light was installed as a way for truckers to turn off Route 9 and Route 50 but it is problematic at best. Will things improve when the traffic light is finally installed at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Route 50? Perhaps but I believe it won't be enough.

There are already too many vehicles on our roads as it is and if we have a triple crown winner this year (would be nice) this town will have even more track-goers but the question remains; can we handle it all? I think we are about to collapse under our own weight and it should be a concern for all citizens and residents of Saratoga Spring and those who live in the surrounding areas.

We need to update our infrastructure immediately and I was under the impression that's what our tax money is for. What are we waiting for? Building new hotels for conventioners and tourists is fine but we need to expand the roadways. Some streets in Saratoga like Franklin Street should be alternate side parking only and South Franklin should have no street parking as this artery is just too busy and too narrow currently.

We still are in need of left turn arrows at many of our intersections. What is the plan for our city? Does anyone know? Does anyone have any ideas? We've already waited too long. The horse has already left the barn as they say.

THE UNDERBELLY OF SARATOGA

There are certainly more positive things about Saratoga Springs than negative. It's picturesque beauty is second to none in the Capital District. However, there are issues that need to be attended to and resolved before they further spiral out of control.

In a previous post I wrote about the homeless epidemic we have here in the city that our leaders seem to not have a handle on. The other related issue to that is the heroin epidemic that is taking our storybook city by storm. The lack of affordable housing and lack of decent paying jobs are another critical issue that continue to plague the city.

Our city is generous in a variety of ways; from the soup kitchen across the street from the Batchelor Mansion and the various food pantries are certainly helpful but is it effective in the bigger scheme of things? I'm not sure what the point is if a city will provide you food but not adequate jobs or affordable housing. The ones who have become homeless have the added burden of moving in and out of various local motels like the Community Court, the Gateway and the dreaded Brentwood paid for by DSS aka you and me the taxpayer. The Brentwood and Gateway are dumps for those who live there but they are especially lucrative for those who own them. Afterall, poverty has always been big business in America, just not for those experiencing it.

Jefferson and Vanderbilt Terrace, which hasn't been a bad neighborhood since the 1980's has had an uptick of crime as of late. Drug raids and all night parties have become the norm over the past six months which is ironic since they just got rid of the mini-police station over there ostensibly because it wasn't needed.

What are our city leaders doing about this issue? What should become of Jefferson and Vanderbilt Terrace? Is it time to send it elsewhere? Certainly this area sits on a prime piece of real estate that could be better used for people that are contributing financially to the community, something it clearly isn't doing now. I have no issue with single mother's who are just trying to live and work three jobs but clearly this isn't the current demographic in this neighborhood. Just take a look at some of the cars over there. If they can afford expensive cars how is it that they qualify for low-income housing?

We need to think about where we want this city to be in five years and even ten years. Do we want our city to be comprised of extremely wealthy people and those who are living lives of abject poverty who are at the mercy of the ruling classes? That doesn't like a very nice place to live to me but that's just my humble opinion. What is your opinion and more importantly are your solutions?

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

I can't be the only person to notice an ever increasing population of homeless and transient individuals in downtown Saratoga Springs. We need to get a handle on it before it gets worse. Where are our city leaders on this issue?

Two weeks ago a couple was robbed at gunpoint on Connolly Lane. There have also been other incidents of people being harassed/ followed in our local parking garages and most recently a certain religious organization on Broadway was robbed of cash and gift cards.

The leaders of the community need to make a stand; either provide affordable housing or send the homeless packing to other municipalities.

One of the many perks of living in Saratoga is the fact that one can walk around the city and not be panhandled or threatened with violence. This reality is quickly changing here in Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga is increasing becoming a town of 'rich only'. Having a variety of people in any city makes for more culturally enriching experience for all involved. I for one am tired of the 'Manhattanization' of Saratoga Springs.

We have expanded everything except the roadways and this town has some glaring weaknesses in an otherwise near perfect family oriented city. The most glaring weaknesses are still a crappy hospital, a rogue police force and lack of affordable housing. The cause and effect is very real and has already happened in bigger cities such as Manhattan and San Francisco where it is currently a 'non-millionaires need not apply' mentality.

We have much to offer in our city in the country. The homeless situation will most certainly worsen if we continue to ignore it. The city leaders need to ask themselves two very important questions: “What is right”? And.... “What is just”? Our city leaders must come up with a definitive plan as to how this city intends on moving forward without selling out and without compromising Saratoga's integrity.