by William Skink

How does one process the scrolling images of brutality while still trying to maintain a grasp on the big picture?

I continue to appreciate Ryan Christian at the Last American Vagabond. If you can stomach the scrolling images of brutality, this daily wrap-up does a good job of showing how unglued some members of law enforcement have become.

While a space has opened up on both sides for violence to take hold, the only side that is formally paid and officially trained to do the job of keeping the peace is law enforcement.

I know the phrase “keep the peace” seems like a sick joke right now, but it’s not an impossible goal to achieve. Here in Missoula there is apparently some kumbaya story coming from Gomer Kidston about how maybe we really CAN all get along.

I don’t need to know the details of the story to be able to say it’s a good thing the “commingling” in Missoula has been non-violent. The video of the old man in a sea of cops getting pushed over and taking a header on concrete, going immediately limp with a pool of blood forming, is not something any community wants to have happen.

How long can protests be maintained at this level of intensity?