Personally I think our views differ on the "protests" and their portrayal in the media. I can assure many outlets are doing far from painting a picture of "peaceful protests", quite the contrary rather (as you may imagine). I think there lies some half-truths on both sides, though I think ultimately the warzone scene you laid out, is a bit off the mark to say the least. I have a few good friends that live in downtown Portland (and more close friend and actual family in Seattle), and many have assured me personally and via social media that most protests are actually quite civil and peaceful, and anything remotely like what you describe overwhelmingly the exception, rather than the norm. I tend to trust these people I know well and personally a hell of a lot more than either news narrative at this point. Edit to add: also, while we're at it Trump didn't "threaten to send in the national guard" he sent in unmarked (potentially) federal agents under the direction of the DHS, which have been linked to agents from the US Marshall Service, ICE, CBP oh and wait for it, Blackwater (a private militia of mercenaries acting as agents of the state, wow that's not problematic
) to wreak illicit, unconstitutional terror on his perceived opposition in Portland. With that said, under the assumption that they are peaceful, I think writing them off is aimless, misguided chaos, is a bit essentialist at best. But I'll just respect that we won't see eye-to-eye on this, nor your prescription of of AOC and her "band of merry fuckwits" (although your assessments of the current Dem ticket are mostly on the money, that I concede - Sanders/Cortez would be the ticket I'd like to see, if we're gonna do the old white man + Woman POC combo, anyway). I do agree that the left can be insufferable and eat it's own tail with its often holier-than-thou prescription of right and wrong, overzealous PC culture, and the like. Still, if I look at the general compass of morality and have to pick a side, it seems a plain choice to me.
