I've read a lot about the protests and destruction in my city and spoken to a few folks who were out there protesting but not at all destructing. I've come to the conclusion that we're looking at two wildly-different groups with wildly-different goals and morals. The protests — at least the ones my friends attended — were exactly what we have in mind when we talk of "peaceful protests."
Others came along to cause trouble and while I usually have great praise 'n' respect for the police in my city, it sure looks like they didn't understand that they were dealing with two different groups. The news coverage of what went down in Santa Monica last night would make you think they were more concerned with the folks standing in front of government building calmly holding signs that said "LOVE" and "JUSTICE" than the ones smashing in the front windows of the Apple Store and grabbing up iPhones.
I'm sure within each of those two groups there were a lot of disparate thoughts and motives but there was obviously that sharp dividing line there and a lot of the local news reporters noticed it. I don't get why the officials deploying law enforcement didn't.
We have another curfew tonight. That means that those of us who have been staying in our homes for 82 days and not going out will be not going out. Sure hope things quiet down because…well, just because. That's reason enough right there.
I just removed a paragraph here asking folks to help me with a webcast test this evening. The news is getting too hairy so I'm postponing it. Thanks to all who volunteered. Maybe later this week if/when things quiet down.