California Conservative

What is it about San Francisco’s intolerance to videos?

UPDATE:
Welcome Instapundit readers!

(And don’t forget to vote on Tookie!)

Mayor Gavin Newsom had this to say about the recent controversy surrounding the private videos made by the S.F. police: “…among the most offensive, egregious skits I’ve ever seen — as a San Franciscan — not just mayor.”

Didn’t he say the same thing about the 49ers?

Since it worked then, he’s using the same rhetoric now and sharing the talking points. Calling it a “dark day in the history” of the department, Police Chief Heather Fong parroted the mayor by calling the videos: “egregious, shameful and despicable acts by members of the S.F. police department.”

Egregious? That’s a strong word. And there’s plenty of it on display everyday in San Francisco — and the police are the ones called in to protect it.

So, what’s all the fuss about? Five spoof videos made by police officers as a “sendoff” for former captain, Rick Bruce, who, according to the S.F. Chronicle, “went on leave three months ago for unrelated reasons.”

Let’s review them in order:

Video #1: Two white police officers parked in patrol car, reading newspaper. Next scene, both officers are practicing T’ai Chi poses while some tranquil, meditational music plays in the background.

If anyone calls this depiction racist, it would only be in reverse: implying that whites don’t practice the ancient art. Perhaps the officers were easing sore joints and muscles. It’s ridiculous.

Video #2: A play on the T.V. show COPS, including the theme song: “Bad boys”

Video depicts approximately a dozen officers charging into their vehicles in what appears to be a “hot pursuit.” They arrive at a white man wearing a hood, and sitting in an alley. They surround him.

The visual joke is that the guy isn’t doing anything, just sitting passively. Yet, one officer can be heard yelling, “Stop resisting arrest.” Given what the officers typically have to deal with, they can laugh at the irony. One officer finally holds up his hand, having found a little bag of dope.

Go to slow motion, and Queen’s “We are the champions” starts playing. They all start cheering. (Just because Freddy Mercury was a homosexual, doesn’t mean anything)

One officer is touching up her lipstick, putting the nonsense in context. It’s not to be taken seriously.

[Note: The critics would be well advised to spend some time watching this show, just to get a little taste of what police officers have to deal with on a daily basis. Few of us would exercise such patience and restraint]

Video #3: A white officer driving along in patrol car, expressing melancholy, narrates:, “Just when you feel frustrated that you’re getting nothing out of this district, someone will come up to you and say…” [You think he's headed towards a positive story] Interuppted by his car supposedly hitting a black female vagabond wandering in the streets, who cries out: “You white motherfuckers!” She remains in the street, holding up her middle finger.

We’re confident that’s not only an accurate depiction of what officers hear in that district, but a mild example. Once again, it’s irony.

Video #4: White officer having pulled over a blonde female to issue a ticket for something. He aks her to get out and turnaround. Then he opens his ticket book, revealing a mirror in the inside cover. He fawns over himself.

The joke is not about women or sexism, it’s about a narcisstic cop. And it’s funny.

He quips: “First thing the doc said after he delivered me in the waiting room: your welcome, ladies.”

The guy is such a cheeseball, it’s obviously a gag. Total tomfoolery. Clean fun.

He continues, telling the driver: “Let me give you a piece of advice: if you ever want to end up with a gem like me for a husband, put yourself together and stoping using so much tanning lotion.”

(Obviously, she wasn’t pulled over in Bayview. Sounds more like the Marina. And if you’re from San Francisco, you’ll get the joke)

“I want to congratulate you,” he concludes, “you just met the best looking guy in the S.F. police department…”

Not to be undone, she fires back at him: “Why don’t you try using gel when you get hair.”

Now, that’s funny. And, as a connoisseurof hair care products, Mayor Gavin Newsom should appreciate the sentiment.

Video #5: Charlie’s Angel spoof. The video shows three female plain-clothed officers walking into the chief’s office.

After saying “Good morning, Captain,” he flicks his tongue suggestively, but visually unappealing.

The women coo, “Ohhh, captain…” and show their tongues. Playing on this theme, the gag goes from there, as a series of other characters show their tongues and say, “Ohhh, captain.” It’s very silly, but harmless.

No one was holding a gun to these women (in fact, they were the ones brandishing the weapons), and so it’s ridiculous to declare that this video would be in any way sexist. Benny Hill was more raunchy and risque. These videos wouldn’t even make it onto Comedy Network, because they’re too tame.

If you want sexist, maybe you should see the most recent installment of Charlie’s Angels, courtesy of Hollywood. The women are portrayed as nothing but sex symbols, because their crime fighting is unreal and absurd. We’re sure the women of the S.F. police department could explain the difference between fiction and reality.

These people put their lives on the line for us every day, and now they’re being harrassed by the Mayor and his PC appointment to police chief.

As we said about the 49ers video, there’s no controversy here, except the one invented by the Mayor and his special interest supporters. They’re crying wolf, again. Playing offense, and working hard so that political correctness will prevail again.

There is absolutely NO evidence of racism, NO evidence of sexism, and NO evidence of homosexual discrimination.

Mayor Newsom and Chief Fong would do better by directing their energies and indignation at the real problems plaguing San Francisco: the crime-ridden neighborhoods, the homeless (which Newsom promised to end), gangs and youth violence. These things are egregious.

And let the S.F. police have a few laughs. It’s better than crying over how bad things are on the job.

UPDATE:
Homeland Stupidity has background info on Officer Cohen
Lonestar Times: But is it art?
Bareknucklepolitics offers a lot of reader commentary
Feministing offers this insightful perspective:

“I know most of us don’t need convincing that police and corruption tend to go hand in hand, but I had to write about this.”

And we all know that feminism and liberal craziness go hand in hand, but we had to point this out.

Guess that’s what they mean by “Independent alternatives to the malestream media.” Oops.

Michelle Malkin is bronchitis blogging, but didn’t cough this up.

RELATED:
San Francisco Police to Suspend Up to 20 Officers
for Offensive Video
49ers’ Training Video: The Political Game
Goes Into Overtime

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2005 at 10:31 am and is filed under Liberals, San Francisco, Special Interests. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.