After weeks of speculation, it’s time for the invasion of Memphis. Pam, Pete WAR! and Stephen (new nickname I saw - Naziferatu) flew in this afternoon to kick off the operation. (I thought the air smelled sulphureous.) There have been members of the ABC agencies in town for several days. I don’t see that it got any national play, which must be disappointing for them. It just doesn’t have the pizazz you get from a war-torn Portland or Chicago. But I’m sure they hope they can get some violence out of it. Pam gave the cops permission to, well…
Stephen echoed this.
National Guard troops and vehicles were seen in a staging area.
Memphis is an interesting place to test out soldiers on American streets. It’s a blue city not only in a red state, but in a red county where 61% of the voters went for Trump in 2024. That says a lot since just 30% of the population of Memphis is white. The county below us in Mississippi is red. The county across the river in Arkansas is red. It goes without saying that all of those Republicans are thrilled with this.
I honestly don’t know what they expect is going to happen. You can put soldiers on the streets and, yes, crime will go down. That’s how it works in police states. But that does not solve the issues that lead to crime which will still be there when they leave. If they leave. Activists are talking about push-back but I don’t know what they plan to do. It could get ugly fast.
I guess we will see where this goes. I have no idea what’s in store.