If you’re a WWII war buff you won’t be able to join the Portland Police Bureau. Especially if you’ve got something nice to say about the Germans. Eleven years ago. Here.  And [Captain Mark Kruger] has been suspended for two weeks without pay for doing something that looks like he’s being nice to German SS soldiers. Here’s his penance.
***UPDATED: In an account of the story today in the Zero here, Captain Kruger —and other Portland cops—must now adhere to the Chief’s and Mayor’s standards of what’s acceptable:

The chief said he expects Kruger never to engage in conduct that “denigrates others or their differences”  on duty or off duty, and that he participate in a “mentorship arrangement” that the chief and mayor have not yet defined, but will last at least six months to up to two years. [emph added]

Adams “Mentoring” Breedlove

Geez, I hope the “mentorship” program isn’t like the one Sam Adams conducted with Beau Breedlove [here]. Now in order to make sure Kruger doesn’t engage in conduct that “denigrates others or their differences” and to comply with the Chief and Mayor’s standards of  “what’s acceptable,” Kruger’s headed to tolerance camp:

Hours after firing a cop, Portland police Chief Mike Reese Tuesday suspended Capt. Mark Kruger for 80 hours without pay and ordered him to take “Tools for Tolerance” training …

The “Tools for Tolerance” course can be a one day thing or a four day affair. Among the things trainers try to do is deprogram students:

By utilizing a variety of adult learning modalities including interactive technology, personal testimonies, video presentations, and small group discussions, the programs present an educational experience created to engage participants on many levels. Presentations are inclusive, geared toward both uniformed and civilian personnel in all law enforcement specialties and at every level from recruit to commander.

Isn’t it intolerant to not tolerate Captain Kruger’s intolerance, if indeed that’s what it is? Oh, that’s right, we must adhere to Sam Adams‘ idea of what’s acceptable and tolerant behavior. So that includes driving drunk with your pants pulled down; hitting three cars after jumping a curb; predating on a teenager; “mentoring” said teenager; lying about having sex with a teenager; lying to voters; profligate spending of taxpayers’ funds (who needs a sewer when you can have bike paths?) AND last (but not least) not paying your bills. Glad we cleared that up.

This thing started because Lawyer-to-the-Protesters, Alan Graf, identified Kruger as a cop who roughed up anarchists during their poop on the flag protests and street blocking–the planned ‘black bloc’ protests of yore. Graf decided to do oppo research on the cops to take our attention away from the poopers, law breakers and traffic snarlers, and found some teenage era friend of Captain Kruger who claimed Kruger was a fan of German soldiers during WWII. I’m no fan of Nazis, but if you’re the PPB, don’t you at least ask the question if your guy has ever demonstrated Nazi like behavior on the job or is doing your job being a Nazi? I get confused. They found out that Kruger erected a public tribute to five Nazi-era German soldiers at a city park while employed by the Police Bureau.
One of those “Nazi-era” soldiers turned out to be a war criminal. I wouldn’t pay homage to war criminals on an “Honor Tree” as Captain Kruger calls it, but apparently war buffs do this sort of thing all the time. See here.  And considering that the name “Kruger” is of German derivation [see here], I suppose he had a more than passing interest in the war involving Germans. The tolerance crowd wouldn’t stand for it. 

“Your conduct, the publicity surrounding it, and negative perceptions about its nature raise legitimate questions about your ability to be effective in your job,” Reese wrote in his disciplinary letter to Kruger.

Kruger apologized in a letter (linked above):

“Why did I take such an action? I did so as an expression of my interest in military history; many military historians have erected similar remembrances all over the world,” Kruger wrote. “What I didn’t think about was the misperception that could occur if this action became publicly known. I deeply regret this action and apologize for the poor reflection this has caused for the Portland Police Bureau, the City of Portland and my community.”

I don’t know what’s in this guy’s heart and neither do you. However I have one more observation: if we’re going to get rid of all the real or perceived anti Semites involved with the City of Portland, then why don’t we start with all the war protesters who want America to stop fighting avowed Jew haters, Al Qaeda; the Taliban; Iran’s Shia 12-ers and the like. Why don’t we start with all the “Anti Zionists” who populate the boards, commissions, and organizations with which the City of Portland does business?
Oh, that’s right, THAT would be intolerant. Now where’s the number to that tolerance camp…