Caffeinated Politics

When a declining population sees their time on the stage running out, when they see diversity and color taking hold of the white domain they once controlled, it is no surprise that attacks on the new faces come to the fore. But that does not mean we should accept it or not call out the ugly spasm of malevolence it is rooted in. It comes as no surprise that I am talking about New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament and his phony apology this week.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd that overwhelmingly called for him to pack up and leave office, he declined to resign but fell back on those trite words about being sorry for the harm caused by his anti-Muslim Facebook posts. It was a moment so embarrassing that a person told me in an email after attending the meeting that it would have made being “caught with your pants down in a church parking lot look like a dignified alternative”.

Yes, overt racism is never pretty.

The New Berlin Common Council approved a resolution saying the mayor’s posts don’t represent the official city position. The resolution also said the council “publicly and officially condemns messages that promote stereotypes, hostility, discrimination or disrespect toward any faith or group,” and it would seek legal advice about what other steps are available to the council.

After knowing what Ament posted on Facebook and then his tortured apology, it is hard to deny the pithy line from that observer.

He shared a post saying “America needs to shut down all mosques and ban Islam.”

He reposted content claiming Muslims are terrorists, including stereotypes involving suicide vests, rocket launchers, and multiple wives.

He shared a post reading: “If you vote for a Muslim for elected office in this country, you are a traitor.”

He reposted a meme suggesting bacon can ‘protect’ against Muslims, framed as a joke about terrorism.

He shared posts portraying Muslims as invaders taking over the U.S. and Europe through violence.

He reposted a message saying “Muslims offered the same deal in every century: convert, pay, or die.”

When confronted about the vileness of his posts on his personal FB page, he said, “It has never been my intention to disparage or offend any individual or group, including the Muslim community.”

Really? Seriously?

Ament was so very wrong to post racist, anti‑Muslim garbage because it was the kind of fear‑mongering that treats an entire religious community as a threat. When an elected official circulates memes calling Muslims terrorists or suggesting mosques should be shut down, he’s not ‘just posting’. He is using the weight of who he is in the community to foster and legitimize prejudice. It tells Muslim residents that their mayor sees them as suspects instead of neighbors, and it signals to his fellow low-IQ angry white males who thrive on resentment and grievances that bigotry is an acceptable alternative to growing the hell up.

The mayor is not getting any award for leadership. After all, leadership means protecting the people you serve, not amplifying stereotypes that make them less safe.

It is time for the ouster of Dave Ament. Give him some bags of White Chocolate Truffles and send him home.