Gut Check Time

Although it goes against my regularly reliable instincts, I agree with Nick on this one:

So we are told: Friday's shooting was "an aberration." (Would it be OK if it were routine?) That it was random. (Would we feel better if the killer had shot the guy he was trying to kill, instead of a bystander?) That the killer was "a deeply troubled person." (Mayor R.T. Rybak said that.) Well, Your Honor: Duh.

What I'm hearing sounds like, "Don't worry, folks! The killer was a troubled person who shot someone by accident! No one has died since Friday! Enjoy your visit! Please walk around the crime tape! Remember Minneapolis when making convention plans! Duck if you hear loud noises!"

This is not cutting it.

A day or so after Alan Reitter's murder, Mayor Tinkerbell was out walking the city to show how safe it was. He happened to be walking with a battalion of uniformed cops and several news crews, so, you know, it was a very legitimate demonstration of the happiness and bliss that is downtown Murderapolis. Hey Mayor, thanks for clogging Hennipen and First Avenues for your shallow publicity stunt.