Hypocrisy is alive and well and living in Chicago, especially found within the corridors of the fifth floor of City Hall, the Chicago Police Dept HQ on State Street, and the editorial offices of the Chicago media chieftains and op-ed writers.

The media is reporting the investigation of more flash mob attacks in the Near North/River North area of Chicago, but yet not one word is reported that these continue to be black on white crimes. The Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman in an op-ed piece, stated in so many words that race was not mentioned unless it was relevant to the story. If the flash mobs were white, and the victims black, the media would take hold of that face in a New York minute, and Al Sharpton and his minions would be holding press conferences in Daley Center decrying hate crimes and demanding further action be taken and justice for the victims.

Meanwhile, gang wars continue unabated on the city's West Side and in some of the poorest neighborhoods.  On the 4^th of July, 16 people were shot, including a 10-year old caught in gang crossfire.  Two weeks ago, over the June 23/24 weekend, 30 people were wounded, 4 dead, and CBS News' 48 Hour Crimesider reported that "rising murder rates have made Chicago more dangerous than a war zone" and "while 144 Americans have died in Afghanistan in 2012, 228 Chicago residents have been killed." 

Depending upon whom you believe, it's either a manpower crisis or a perception issue.  Daniel Gorman, Vice President of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, states, "we still can't ignore that we've got a manpower crisis, and the recent violence in the city is proof of that crisis."  Chicago police superintendent, Garry McCarthy, claims the, "media has blown the violence way out of proportion," and Chicago is facing a "perception issue."  Really. 

Homicide and other crime statistics from the Chicago Police Dept's. Annual Report show the high incidence of crime within the black community.  The silence on the topic from the current occupant of the White House, who is busy campaigning in the Rust Belt on his $1 million Canadian-built bus is deafening. 

In June, Chicago was graced with another Presidential weekend visit, when the President and First Lady attended the wedding of their BFF, Valerie Jarrett's daughter.  During that weekend, 35 people were hurt, 7 killed.  Yet, up to 200 police officers were pulled from other areas of Chicago to provide additional protection during the wedding.  By the way, did anyone other than me notice that the President not once while he was here, met with any of Chicago's African American community leaders, the police leadership, or the Mayor regarding the ongoing violence?  Did we hear of him touring the Englewood area or stopping by a community center to show some interest in the children or families? 

Funny, isn't it, how the President doesn't seem to have a problem addressing the "war on women," the Latino vote, the fashionistas and Hollywood, and playing class warfare card. But his home town's war on the streets, where blacks and Latinos are the main victims, rates not a mention.

More people die, more children grow up in violence.  The hypocrisy continues, and so does the sound of silence.

Melanie Kowalski provides commentary and insights into current events and the political scene at www.political-woman.com.