I live in Portland, Oregon, which has been the site of multiple political protests since November 2016. For the most part, we don't have a lot of use for 45. My dad has delighted in sending me links to Fox News coverage of violence and disorder.
Only...Dad renounced his US citizenship and became an Australian about 20 years ago. Nice country; go if you get the chance. But it's like the guy who rants up a storm about the government, then reveals he doesn't vote. I knew he'd be sending another "Are you ok? Also, your country is shit." email after today's protests, so I figured I'd go first.
Hi Dad.
This is a long hot summer during a period of political turmoil. The US is fewer than 100 days out from midterm elections that are already the target of multiple disinformation campaigns and other information warfare.
Vancouver, WA is just across the river to the north of Portland. It's partly a bedroom community, but it's also where a lot of people who think Portland is too hippie/dirty/filled with homeless/ etc. live. Current incarnations of the KKK (Patriot Prayer, Proud Boys, Alt-Right, etc.) are a presence there, and they've taken to swarming through Portland to stir up trouble. The protests since 11/'16 have developed a pattern: The white trash gets a protest or parade permit. Counter-protesters show up. Sides are kept separate by the cops, start throwing things at each other, and the police declare the protest has become a civil disturbance, and start dispersing and arresting people for assaults and the like.
Today, the troublemakers staged a walk by the waterfront to avoid being searched for weapons, as has been the case previously in permitted rallies in parks. There have been pictures of the racists open carrying firearms today.
It's a very volatile situation, and I'm concerned that we're going to have something way worse than Kent State happen. If not today, between now and 2020. I haven 't lived to age 48 by taking unnecessary risks, so I'm staying away from all that. But I absolutely sympathize with anti-fascists--there are way too many people eager to be the subjects of rulers.
Today, the troublemakers staged a walk by the waterfront to avoid being searched for weapons, as has been the case previously in permitted rallies in parks. There have been pictures of the racists open carrying firearms today.
It's a very volatile situation, and I'm concerned that we're going to have something way worse than Kent State happen. If not today, between now and 2020. I haven 't lived to age 48 by taking unnecessary risks, so I'm staying away from all that. But I absolutely sympathize with anti-fascists--there are way too many people eager to be the subjects of rulers.
All this to say:
1) I'm fine.
2) See #1.
1) I'm fine.
2) See #1.
Love,
James
P.S. I know you what you think of my country. Let's take that as read. I just wanted to let you know I'm ok. 😉
