Editor’s Note: The following opinion piece by Norma Damashek does not reflect the views of the OB Rag.
By Norma Damashek / NumbersRunner / August 2, 2019
Introduction
Stories #1 and #2 are connected by a common thread: the selective system that elevates, protects, and rewards San Diego’s compliant players while throwing principled nonconformers to the wolves…
Story #1 revisited the 1984 San Ysidro massacre. The loss and horror of that event are incalculable. Yet those who were responsible–directly (the shooter) or indirectly (certain city officials)–either cannot (the shooter is dead) or will never (the code of silence) answer for the depth of harm inflicted on the victims.
Not many people think about this story anymore.
Story #2 revisits the Bob Filner story. It’s a third-rate operetta compared to the San Ysidro tragedy. But sex sells and the Filner story has morphed into a national hit. The secret of its success is that can serve a wide audience across the political spectrum—left, right, and center. Like the proverbial gift, it keeps on giving.
Given its popularity, the time seems right for an updated review of this story. It needs a thorough airing, even though the dust it raises may irritate some readers. It’s a small price to pay when good government, transparency, and–above all–accountability are the objectives.
Part I: The Official Story
Chapter 1
The latest resurrection of the Filner story was aimed at Senator Kamala Harris, a presidential candidate from California. It’s an attempt to discredit her for her 2013 failure to throw the accused mayor Bob Filner into prison when she was state Attorney General. It’s an ironic twist, since Senator Harris had opportunistically jumped the gun and eagerly mounted the anti-Filner bandwagon, even though she had never laid eyes on the man or exchanged a single word with him.
Damned if you do and damned if you don’t….
But Harris shouldn’t take the attack personally. The Filter trope is an equal opportunity weapon across many battle arenas. Check out how it’s used against Nancy Pelosi and her “perv problem.” Or against gay rights activists and the Sex-Creep Club. Or by trendy authors to advance their sociopath theories. Or by #MeToo victims as grist for a movie plot or memoir.
For the balance of this article, please go here.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent and very sad pieces of journalism, Norma. Despite this being, at one time, the nations fourth or fifth largest city, San Diego operates like a very small town. I had not ever read about Sanders role – or lack of one – in the San Ysidro massacre. I never liked the guy, now, I despise him. And what happened to Filner was a crime but oh so predictable. What we got was a see-through mayor and now we may wind up with another hack. If for no other reason, vote for Barbara Bry.
Pretty much what I suspected all along with Filner. The knives were out for him because he offended too many monied interests and he made himself an easy target for his enemies. In that way he let us all down.
the Filner crime was that the Democratic Party leadership endorsed him on the public, in spite of multiple previous complaints of sexual misconduct, further enabling his conduct, shame all around…
I’m fascinated by how San Diego manages to stay true to itself, decade after decade.
As Geoff P. points out–no matter how big we grow, we operate like a small town. The tight knot of people/private interests in control of our city have the game down pat. Our city gifts them enormous private profits (Don Bauder wrote a lot about corporate welfare in our fair city) and asks for practically nothing in return to benefit the public.
And yes, as Carl Z. points out–by making himself an easy target Bob Filner let us all down.
And yes, as Micpointe points out–the Democratic Party leadership were enablers. But was Filner really their intended beneficiary or, cynically, just a temporary placeholder?
The sad truth is, our city’s entrenched leaders (Dems/Republicans, gays/straights, latino/ anglo) take excellent care of their handmaidens… the citizens of San Diego be damned…
where’s the like button ?!