So many people are upset about property damage...

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

49. I have some answers

1. Protests are only one type of strategy. With protests widespread they do get mention on the news. Near my house is the city of Camden, NJ. The police there have been making efforts to become familiar with residents and plan regular meetings with communities so the people get to know the cops. They had a protest parade. It was peaceful. The police chief marched with them.

Meet with police. Be civil. Meet the mayor and local legislators. Meet with state legislators and mail or email the governor. Go door to door one on one and ask residents to vote and join your cause. No one has come to my door to say anything. I do see lots folks on the news stealing from businesses. Local stores are on fire in Philly. Last night I saw stolen items recovered from a stash house. This borders on organized crime. According to Philly's police chief, some of it is organized crime. She (a black woman) claims there is evidence of the involvement of organized crime in the 30 plus bombings of ATMs across the city.

Produce some PR. Organize with educated articulate folks writing and speaking with the media. Develop a dialog with groups in the communities. Obama was community organizer. Generate press releases, get permits to demonstrate. Advertise. If it works for Walmart and Red Lobster it will work for any real cause. All the laws and punitives for drunk driving didn't change things as much the media work and the designated driver ads.

Sure continue to protest but don't give anyone the excuse to view you as an enemy.

How long? Until you are ready to begin an actual revolution as colonists did in the 18th century.

2. If you feel doing what your doing for another 65 years is a good idea, you have failed to evaluate what's happened making it impossible to apply anything that could be learned. I would be interested to find out how many looters maybe sell those stolen items and donate that money to BLM or another group working to achieve something good. Put some money where your bricks and matches are.

3. Economic pressure will never be the answer in itself. Accountability is what's needed. That will take changes to municipal policy making police accountable. Independent reviews of excessive force with victim support and new laws dealing with the issue are needed.

My daughter is a store manager. If she was assaulted during one of these ill-conceived riots, I would take it very personally. Whatever the supposed cause being rioted for would become my enemy on any level available. I would dedicate the balance of my life to personally ruining the lives of everyone involved.

People in power are learning something this week.

Failing to recognize that you are in power is the first strike against you. Becoming a criminal surrenders your best chance of using that power. The "people in power" are now trying to decide who the enemy really is. Don't make it an easy choice.