IS THIS SERIOUS? – AT 8:28 P.M. ET:  Reader John Dowd alerts us to an utterly absurd story from the equally absurd kingdom of Chicago.  Apparently, in today's "urban environment," everyone has equal standing to complain.  From the Chicago Sun-Times:

At 10 a.m. today, a group of black men will gather in front of the Columbus Park Refectory on the West Side to denounce Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis' threats to crack down on gang leaders.

These are not the usual suspects.

They aren't ministers leading a march. Nor are they activists and politicians rallying constituents around a cause.

They are men who are affiliated with some of the city's most notorious street gangs. They are Vice Lords, Gangster Disciples, Kings, Stones, Hustlers, Souls and Cobras.

And they are going to Columbus Park to let Weis know they believe the threats he made during a secret meeting amount to unfair harassment.

Weis vowed to use federal RICO laws against gang leaders if a member of one gang shoots a member of another.

The threat represents a new anti-violence strategy that includes seizing a gang leader's car and home.

"The general feeling out here is that [the meeting] was a trick, and we feel it is unconstitutional for a person to be declared guilty before innocent," said Jim Allen, a self-identified Vice Lord and convener of the news conference.

COMMENT:  Wait a second.  Just wait a second.  We have gang leaders holding a protest meeting in a very public place because their feelings have been hurt by the police superintendent?  And they feel, based on their vast legal background, that they're being harassed?

What will we have next, Charles Manson complaining about the "offensive" way he's portrayed on television? 

The police superintendent vowed to use RICO laws against gang leaders if a member of one gang shoots a member of another.  What right, the gang bangers imply, does a cop have to interfere with such wholesome urban sport?

Is your sympathy for gangs rising already?

Only in Chicago, folks.  Only in Chicago.  I'll bet someone offers one of the gang leaders a TV reality show, featuring real ambushes.

September 2, 2010