VDH: California’s Peak Dystopia, LA’s Mayoral Chaos, and New York’s Toxic Empathy

Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words · May 12, 2026 · 1h 24m

Rhamell Burke, a repeat criminal, attacked and later stalked two women on the New York City subway last April.

Though police stopped Burke from harassing the women any further, the victims ultimately decided not to cooperate with prosecutors, with one woman telling the New York Post later, “maybe a part of me was just like, I don’t want to put another black man in jail.” It was a decision she ultimately regretted after Burke, about one month later, allegedly pushed a retired school teacher onto the subway tracks, leading to the 76-year-old’s death.

“ Well, I mean, it's toxic empathy, isn't…