Another day, another police beating in America

[GreyICE]

Past voting for the first time ever this year, what do you suggest I do? Grab some rocks and sticks and go join the rioters, not peaceful protesters, out there? I'd get my skull bashed in. It's a tragedy when it happens, yet the fact I am not going to go looking for that... and you would call me an enabler over that, right?

What major city is closest to you? Unless it's Minneapolis, there's negligible risk of that. And even Minneapolis is safe. Demonstrations, sure, but violence? Not from the crowds. Seriously, go join the protests tomorrow. It's Saturday, go in the afternoon. The most eyes possible are going to be on the cops during the daytime. You don't have to be on the front lines, you don't have to carry a sign, you don't even have to chant.

Just go. Talk to people. Many, many of the people at the protests are the nicest people you can imagine. See what Democracy looks like. You don't have to pick a side, you don't have to take a side. Go meet people and see things.

That's it. That's my entire pitch. Spend a Saturday, see everything for yourself.

[Captain Crimson]

Past voting for the first time ever this year, what do you suggest I do? Grab some rocks and sticks and go join the rioters, not peaceful protesters, out there? I'd get my skull bashed in. It's a tragedy when it happens, yet the fact I am not going to go looking for that... and you would call me an enabler over that, right?

What major city is closest to you? Unless it's Minneapolis, there's negligible risk of that. And even Minneapolis is safe. Demonstrations, sure, but violence? Not from the crowds. Seriously, go join the protests tomorrow. It's Saturday, go in the afternoon. The most eyes possible are going to be on the cops during the daytime. You don't have to be on the front lines, you don't have to carry a sign, you don't even have to chant.

Just go. Talk to people. Many, many of the people at the protests are the nicest people you can imagine. See what Democracy looks like. You don't have to pick a side, you don't have to take a side. Go meet people and see things.

That's it. That's my entire pitch. Spend a Saturday, see everything for yourself.

I'm not denying many of these protesters are good people who are keeping true to civility. But as Madner Kami pointed out, all it takes is one little rabble-rouser, and then it all spirals out of control. And many of these cops also have families that they treat well. This is a high-stressed environment the US is being put through now with increasing radicalization, and it's not a healthy combination. People who could have been friends in another life and now beating the crap out of each other.

My big beef is that it seems like a few of you are actively cheering at the burning buildings. Let it all burn down. Send a message to those up on high! That's a huge tragedy, and it's as unacceptable as are all those people with their faces being beat in. But you forget one thing. We're smaller creatures than you want to realize. We are so tiny, just a small blip in the eye of history and the larger universe. The universe doesn't hate or favor us. It just is. It's up to us to find our path moving forward. And we can't even treat each other the right way on this planet. Even now, decades, centuries, millennia later, we still can't curb malicious vices like selfishness, greed, lust, and all those awful things. And a crusader's mindset is entirely self-destructive. Look to Batman. It's why I prefer someone like Superman. Who we would want to like to be rather than the more realistic superhero.

[GreyICE]

But as Madner Kami pointed out, all it takes is one little rabble-rouser, and then it all spirals out of control.

One rabble rouser? That's been tried:

Livestreamer tries: https://twitter.com/alexmimeur/status/1267266930391515136
Stopping another instigator: https://www.foxla.com/video/690357
Protesters stop looters: https://www.kxly.com/video-shows-blm-protesters-blocking-looters/
And again: https://www.foxnews.com/media/philly-residents-stand-guard-to-protect-store-from-looters

I know that the narrative that certain people want to push is that these protests are powder kegs waiting to go off. That's not what's happening. The protests are self-regulating, because people want change, not broken windows.

Go, see for yourself. Do you just believe other people's narratives? I'm not asking you to believe any narrative. Use your eyes.

Did I endorse aggressive action in Hong Kong against the Chinese police? Yes. Indubitably. Did you? I hope so.

Do I endorse it here? Yes, if that's what it takes. Right now, we are winning peacefully. Go see it in action.

[Captain Crimson]

But as Madner Kami pointed out, all it takes is one little rabble-rouser, and then it all spirals out of control.

One rabble rouser? That's been tried:

Livestreamer tries: https://twitter.com/alexmimeur/status/1267266930391515136
Stopping another instigator: https://www.foxla.com/video/690357
Protesters stop looters: https://www.kxly.com/video-shows-blm-protesters-blocking-looters/
And again: https://www.foxnews.com/media/philly-residents-stand-guard-to-protect-store-from-looters

I know that the narrative that certain people want to push is that these protests are powder kegs waiting to go off. That's not what's happening. The protests are self-regulating, because people want change, not broken windows.

Go, see for yourself. Do you just believe other people's narratives? I'm not asking you to believe any narrative. Use your eyes.

Did I endorse aggressive action in Hong Kong against the Chinese police? Yes. Indubitably. Did you? I hope so.

Do I endorse it here? Yes, if that's what it takes. Right now, we are winning peacefully. Go see it in action.

You're treating these police as punks who can't handle a little water. Increasing radicalization is something we all know about in our society. I agree that de-escalation tactics are something they should be taught in. But I also will concede that even civilians are expecting an enemy around every corner now. Rampant paranoia is consuming our country, and so everyone is gonna be more stressed out in that environment. Nerves are fraying, and that's not a good sign for any society. Just ask the Weimar Republic.

[Madner Kami]

I know that the narrative that certain people want to push is that these protests are powder kegs waiting to go off. That's not what's happening. The protests are self-regulating, because people want change, not broken windows.

And yet again, you fail to realize the complexity of the situation:

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/about-50-atms-blown-up-around-philly-during-violent-unrest/2418468/

https://whdh.com/news/police-woman-incited-riot-on-facebook-live-urged-people-to-loot-and-throw-bricks/

Kudos to the protesters who get that they also need to take a stance against violence of any kind against stuff and people, that have nothing to do with police brutality, but you just, GreyICE, can not just sit there and pretend that all things are peachy and rosy. These looters and Facebook-/Twitter-twats are using the protests to push their agenda, to enrich themselves and harm people who have zilch to do with the reason for the rioting and you need to understand, that this needs to be taken a stand against as well, not just the police. I don't know how old you are, but you surely should have the age and understanding to see, that there is always more than one side to a story.

[Captain Crimson]

I know that the narrative that certain people want to push is that these protests are powder kegs waiting to go off. That's not what's happening. The protests are self-regulating, because people want change, not broken windows.

And yet again, you fail to realize the complexity of the situation:

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/about-50-atms-blown-up-around-philly-during-violent-unrest/2418468/

https://whdh.com/news/police-woman-incited-riot-on-facebook-live-urged-people-to-loot-and-throw-bricks/

Kudos to the protesters who get that they also need to take a stance against violence of any kind against stuff and people, that have nothing to do with police brutality, but you just, GreyICE, can not just sit there and pretend that all things are peachy and rosy. These looters and Facebook-/Twitter-twats are using the protests to push their agenda, to enrich themselves and harm people who have zilch to do with the reason for the rioting and you need to understand, that this needs to be taken a stand against as well, not just the police. I don't know how old you are, but you surely should have the age and understanding to see, that there is always more than one side to a story.

This is another way the democrats have failed as a party. They haven't learned from history. They're not teaching people how to make peaceful protests. And yes, it means innocent people will get caught in the crossfire. But it gets those in charge more leveraging power. But do any of these protesters or rioters really think the DNC still cares about them? That's what happens when we all lose faith in the system.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

This isn't really an issue exclusive with Democrats. I'm pretty sure it's unrealistic to expect the DNC to have taught society at large how to protest because current year. That sounds ridiculous.

[Captain Crimson]

This isn't really an issue exclusive with Democrats. I'm pretty sure it's unrealistic to expect the DNC to have taught society at large how to protest because current year. That sounds ridiculous.

And that's also a fair point. But let's not forget many current democratic associates and big movers and shakers within the party leadership structure now either marched with MLK or hail from the same era.

[BridgeConsoleMasher]

This isn't really an issue exclusive with Democrats. I'm pretty sure it's unrealistic to expect the DNC to have taught society at large how to protest because current year. That sounds ridiculous.

And that's also a fair point. But let's not forget many current democratic associates and big movers and shakers within the party leadership structure now either marched with MLK or hail from the same era.

That was almost 60 years ago.

You're casting expectation on a very broad culture throughout many big cities across the United States. I really don't know where you're going with this stuff.

[Captain Crimson]

This isn't really an issue exclusive with Democrats. I'm pretty sure it's unrealistic to expect the DNC to have taught society at large how to protest because current year. That sounds ridiculous.

And that's also a fair point. But let's not forget many current democratic associates and big movers and shakers within the party leadership structure now either marched with MLK or hail from the same era.

That was almost 80 years ago.

How about people like Mr. Sanders? I know he was involved in activism back in his younger days, and though it was to recruit people to his socialist ideals, he was still doing it. Let's not diminish that.

And I might admit to have a bit of bias here, since I don't watch joke networks like Fox News or MSNBC, but my mother follows the latter, and she's gushed nonstop over Rev Al Sharpton. Correct me, if I'm wrong, didn't they also march with MLK?

Why aren't they encouraging people to learn to protest peacefully, even if that also means knowing how to take a hit? To be beaten, spit on, and dragged through the mud? That is hard to do, but wins you greater returns long-term. People like Mr. Sanders seem more content to burn down the system from far away to get the revolution they've always dreamed of. And that worked out so well in the USSR, didn't it?

I think my generation has been spoiled. At least zoomers are a bit more realistic.