April 15 and April 19 protests are over, for now at least, and as far as I can see nobody died.
Not for lack of extremist agitation, there was plenty of that, from the usual suspects. How has April 19, "Patriots Day", a little celebrated footnote in American history, mutated into "I heart Militias" day?
Yes , I know, a dark skinned man is President, and the racist undercurrents in the right are freaking out. And yes, I know having Democrats (Liberals, Socialists, Communists!) in power (crippled by Reptilican stonewalling on everything) but still in the majority, makes the right feel out of control. But 'armed marches' ? Extremist militias growing and multiplying like yeast cultures? What has happened to us (the big, everyone in the US, us)? We have had periods of political 'incivility' before, (actually, they are the norm) but calls for ARMED RESISTANCE? Political figures saying "reload"? Leaders of major parties speaking almost entirely, not partisan arguments, or philosophical disagreements, but total, utter, lies? Or trash talking about secession? Are there any sane ADULTS left on the right?
I hope we can get over this difficult period without bloodshed, truly, deeply, but I'm losing hope.