Burning Baltimore 

We reported yesterday that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said something extraordinarily stupid over the weekend about giving "those who wished to destroy space to do that." Her office is still trying to clarify exactly what she meant. 

But as the rioting raged last night, it was increasingly obvious to everyone that her "hands off" policy was doing just that -- giving thugs the space to destroy. 

I was stunned as I watched dozens of policemen retreating early in the day when confronted by a mob of teenagers. Those images signaled that there was no serious effort to stop the rioting. They stoked the flames and inspired others to take to the street. 

As of this morning, at least 15 policemen had been injured, six seriously. More than 140 cars were set on fire, at least 15 buildings were burning and more than 200 people had been arrested. 

Classes were cancelled today. A curfew is now in place. Governor Larry Hogan has mobilized the National Guard and is temporarily moving his offices from Annapolis to Baltimore. 

During a press conference last night, Governor Hogan said that President Obama called him. "He [Obama] said, 'I assume that you and your team will be exercising due restraint,'" Governor Hogan said. "I assured them that we were. . . . but I also assured them that we weren't going to standby and allow our City of Baltimore to be taken over by thugs." Good for him! 

The Left Has Failed 

Here's something to ponder: For more than half a century, the ideas of the left have prevailed when it comes to how best to help minorities and deal with poverty. Virtually every big city is run by the left and has been for decades. 

Conservatives have put ideas on the table -- from educational vouchers to enterprise zones to programs that rebuild minority families. In almost every case, the left has rejected such ideas, frequently labeling those suggesting them as racists. 

The bromides being offered on most networks this morning were more of the same failed liberal policies or worse. There was the usual bashing of police. (By the way, a majority of Baltimore police officers are minorities.) 

There were calls to end enforcement of drug laws, which many commentators said result in minority youth developing criminal records. But allowing more kids to get hooked on drugs will not help them or society at large. 

And, of course, there were calls to throw more of your hard-earned tax money at the problem. 

But virtually nobody brought up the things that could make a real difference. How about pursuing policies that hold black men responsible for the women they impregnate and the children they father? 

Ironically, the Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether men should marry other men, while a major problem bedeviling our cities is men failing to marry women. The research is clear that children raised in fatherless homes are at greater risk for behaviors counter to a stable, healthy life. 

Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts urged parents to "Take control of your kids." One mother has become an instant celebrity for attempting to do just that. 

There is no discussion of the culture many young people are immersed in -- a culture that promotes violence and objectifies women. And, of course, no one dares to say that for the last six years we have had political leadership that appears to fan the flames of racial tensions rather than appealing to our better angels. 

Does President Obama feel no responsibility, as the first man of color in the White House, to appeal to minority youth to stop destroying the few businesses that exist in their communities? 

Of course, we are also living in a time when the left regularly tries to guarantee that no one is exposed to Judeo-Christian ideas in the public square. If Martin Luther King, Jr., were alive today and wanted to tell children in a public school that they were all created in the image of the God of Abraham, there would be lawsuits from radical secular groups. 

Some wise sage said many years ago that what prevents men from acting like animals is the fear of punishment in this life or in the next. The mobs in the streets of Baltimore last night clearly thought they had no reason to fear either. 

Marriage On Trial 

The meaning of marriage -- and who decides that meaning -- was on trial this morning at the United States Supreme Court. The justices allotted more than twice the usual amount of time for oral arguments -- attesting to the serious nature of the subject at hand. 

There is every indication from their questioning that four justices on the Supreme Court are ready to find a fundamental right to same-sex marriage in the Constitution. Several thousand years of Western Civilization and nearly 250 years of American history could very well be wiped out by the edict of the high court. 

That very issue seemed to be giving Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely deciding vote, some heartburn. The definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman "has been with us for millennia," Justice Kennedy said. "I think it's very difficult for this court to say we know better." 

Unfortunately, that is exactly what Justice Kennedy has repeatedly done in previous decisions on related matters. Given his very broad rulings in Romer, Lawrence and Windsor, it is almost inconceivable that Kennedy would come down on the side of normal marriage in this case. 

Justice Antonin Scalia expressed concerns about what the redefinition of marriage would mean for the future of religious liberty in America. He is right to be worried. 

On Friday Christian bakers in Oregon were fined $135,000 for refusing to participate in a same-sex wedding. The intolerant left is forcing its morality on the nation. 

The court will likely issue its decision in June. The battle for religious liberty is quickening. 

"Morning In America" 

This morning, I was a guest on Bill Bennett's radio show, "Morning In America." As you can imagine, we had a lot to talk about. If you missed the show, you can catch it here.