@Kyresti The restraint, I feel, shows a few things.

It shows our willingness to not just run wild and break shit (though fuck knows we could probably do with a little more property damage in general, just to pressure valve negative mindsets so productive change can happen. Its like post-nut clarity for social problems)

It gives us actions to escalate back up to /when/ negotiations break down, or /when/ the reached agreements are expediently discarded in favor of protecting "stability" and civility" and treating those in power like they are authority so that those out of power will be treated like a person.

And maybe just a little, its a way to feel just an inch of power in the world again, because you can't get it any other way.

But when you're raised on stories of "being the bigger person" and "calm, rational negotiation" you want to emulate your heroes and role models, so you use the same tools they did, as much as possible.

But fuck, if setting a Pursuit Explorer on fire is the only way to get someone's attention, (again) then burn the fucker and the ones on either side next to it, so their eyes stay on you and the chalk outlines they keep leaving in the street for longer than the next news cycle.

(and i know you know this, and likely agree with it. I'm avoiding doing work today by speaking up and adding my voice to the signal, for whatever added amplitude mine counts for. Apologies for the rant)