Robin SmithChattanooga Mayor Andy Berke attended the first United Nations “Strong Cities Network Global Summit” held in Antalya, Turkey, last week.
Nothing says “strong cities” like the roiling cauldron of sectarian violence of the Middle East.
Turkey has the exact same travel warning to Americans as Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan currently issued by the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Consular Affairs page declares that Americans should “consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all” if listed while citing “examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks,” with a final phrase of exclamation to “strongly consider not going to them at all.”
Yes, this same nation, noted by the Nov. 24, 2015, Guardian article, is the port of entry for ISIS’ new recruits: “Turkey’s international airports have also been busy. Many, if not most, of the estimated 15,000-20,000 foreign fighters to have joined Islamic State (ISIS) have first flown into Istanbul or Adana “
The article noted that Turkish businessmen had replaced the Syrian regime as the main client of ISIS oil smugglers, “adding at least $10[million] (£6.6m) per week to the terror group’s coffers.”
Just a side note. According to an October 2015 analysis by the American Thinker, last week’s summit was originally scheduled for Paris oops. A little too much terrorism there recently to host such an event, right?
As the Obama administration’s designee, Mayor Andy Berke was the sole speaker representing the U.S. at the initiative first launched on Sept. 29 last year at the United Nations. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch summed up the Strong Cities initiative in a Department of Justice release: “As we continue to counter a range of domestic and global terror threats, this innovative platform will enable cities to learn from one another, to develop best practices and to build social cohesion and community resilience here at home and around the world.”
I wonder if Mayor Berke talked about the social cohesion that is rampant in the gang shootings in urban Chattanooga. You know, where dads have been replaced by a government program and more energy is devoted to the enterprise of crime, gang activity and settling scores than being present in school.
The irony of this international trip by Berke – apparently an administration priority like his Berke Lanes, I mean bike lanes – is abundant. On the day the story of the Chattanooga mayor making remarks to a crowd of attendees on how cities can “establish their own strategies to counter violent extremism” made news, a drive-by shooting occurred at 12:40 p.m. less than a half mile from Erlanger Health System near the intersection of Third Street and Holtzclaw Avenue. Yes, that’s the main thoroughfare used by countless folks going to doctors’ appointments at Erlanger, Memorial and Parkridge hospitals’ campuses.
As the record shows, one of Berke’s first acts as mayor was to dismantle the Gang Task Force and institute the failed Violence Reduction Initiative. I’d be willing to bet the men and women who live in this mess would tell you it’s more important for law enforcement to remove the thugs who are immediate threats before the work of faith and community leaders can be effective.
So, congratulations, Mayor, for the resume enhancement of being internationally relevant to the politically correct Left and bringing home nuggets of the same for your loyal followers back home.
Now, please stand beside the great men and women of the Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office to address the law enforcement issues on our streets?
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, is owner of Rivers Edge Alliance.