Political violence was always what some piss-ant third world nation faced during elections. It was typically some backwater place where the United Nations would send political observers who at least pretended to keep elections (mostly) above board. In reality, they really couldn't do much against some drug kingpin, zealot mullah, or local war lord. But, that seems to have all changed in the one country which was suppose to be about all that. The United States. Since the failed assassination attempt of Republican nominee Donald Trump, threats of political violence has increased. Congress has experienced a ten-fold increase in threats of violence (including assassination) over the last decade. The New York Times published a survey where 10% of respondents said that use of force should be used to prevent Donald Trump from becoming the next president. Meanwhile, 7% said the force should be use to restore Trump to the White House. What's happening to America? Political scientists and others who delve into this kind of data, mostly agree that the U.S. is divided to its core. Many have said for decades that, as a nation, we are deeply divided along more areas than at any time since the American Civil War, which remains the bloodiest in our history and resulted in more American deaths than any war since---combined. A poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos in May this year found that two-thirds of Americans across the political spectrum are seriously worried about this November's presidential election. 68% acknowledged being concerned about possible acts of violence from either or both sides. On Trump's inauguration day in 2014, the Radical Left, lead by Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) launched a series of mass protests across the U.S. which typically devolved into looting, arson, destruction of property (even police cars overturned and set on fire). There was reports of assaults on innocent bystanders. Could something like that happen again? Many Americans seem to think so. Among Republicans, 65% of respondents said they were fearful of possible violence should Kamala Harris lose. Among Democrats, 83% said they were worried about widespread violence in the event "The Donald" doesn't win similar to January 6, 2021 but only larger and more widespread. Meanwhile 89% of the nation's largest voting bloc--- Independents---were worried about violence regardless of who won! A related poll from Bloomberg/Morning Consult asked voters in seven swing states---Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania---if they were worried about possible violence pre or post election. Bloomberg reported that almost half---49%---of respondents across partisan lines admitted they were concerned about possible violence. Voters in those states also said that the economy was "on the wrong track" by a margin of 68% to 32%. It should be noted as well that 52% had a "very unfavorable" to "somewhat unfavorable" opinion of Kamala Harris. However, Republicans shouldn't gloat. 53% of respondents either "strongly" or "somewhat strongly" didn't care for Trump either. 40% didn't care for the Independent, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 19% had no opinion and 5% never heard of him! Additionally, 49% of respondents had a negative opinion about Democrats in Congress while 53% felt the same way about Congressional Republicans. Overall, Congress has a negative approval rating of 65.5%. Just 19.3% of Americans think they are doing a good or adequate job. When applied globally, these are the kind of numbers that make revolutions possible, and yet Congress has a 98+% reelection rate. I know this isn't Denmark, but something is sure rotten! One primary concern for Americans is the perceived failure of our democracy. According to a Gallup poll, less than 28% of Americans believed that our democracy was still working as it should. To rephrase it, some 72% of us believe we're living in a failed democracy. Before the January 6th protest, that number stood at 35%, a drop of 7% in confidence. The Economist Intelligent Unit, the polling arm of the magazine, "The Economist", has shown America as a "flawed democracy" for years. We are teetering on becoming a "failed democracy" as the top two contenders for president head into the November election with approval ratings in the mid to low 40%. Another election outcome similar to 2014 would likely push us over the line. As an aside, a February 28, 2024 Pew survey of 24 democratic countries revealed that while 77% said that democracy was a "good" system of government, 59% weren't happy with how democracy was currently functioning. The poll reinforces what Americans have said for decades---there's a serious disconnect between government and the people. 42% added that none of the political parties represented the voters and 72% said elected officials couldn't care less about what citizen's thought. The Gallup poll also revealed that 67% said the November election was extremely important and may very well determine the future of democracy. The question, however, is which way? A Trump victory or a Harris victory? Which of the two is the correct way forward for our nation, or is it another choice like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? Back to Morning Consult, this time teamed up with Bipartisan Policy Center, conducted another poll pertaining to the upcoming election. The result was that 85% of Americans were concerned about the state of our democracy. Half said they were more worried about having a "functional democracy" more than a strong economy! It's common knowledge that America is a defacto Oligarchy (rule by a small elite group). In our case, that oligarchy is comprised of some very wealthy people and corporations. Thanks to Citizens United, America has also transformed into a type of neo-fascist corporate state with government and Wall Street working in tandem for their mutual benefit. Congress, already known as the "Millionaire's Club", no longer represents ordinary Americans. They represent and serve the needs of Wall Street with outcomes spun to keep us pacified while "bread and circuses do the rest. The oligarchs underwrite their political campaigns, fund their so-called "Leadership Pacs", provides them with all sorts of perks like the use of private jets or staying at posh private beach homes, and so forth. They review legislation and make "recommendations" about which bill to support or oppose, what pork to add, and even help legislators write bills and then shepherd them through the maze of committees. Is it any wonder that 85% of our fellow citizens are worried about the state of our democracy? 91% believe it's the better financed candidate, not issue positions, who win most often. Another telling survey about the November election, this time by Navigator, indicated that 87% of respondents believe something like January 6th could happen again. A majority of Democrats---94%---said they were worried that Republican members of Congress would aid the conservative protesters in some way, even by allowing "white supremacists" to take a leading role. Of course, there is some debate as to exactly what a "white supremacists" is these days. Some claim that if you lack "white guilt" you're a supremacist, or at least a "racist". Interestingly, 70% of Independents agreed that the Republican Party was more prone to allow or encourage violence from alleged white supremacists in the event they lose in November, although very little is being mentioned about the potential of violence by BLM and Antifa, who has already shown their readiness for violence. This brings us to a good point to mention that roughly half of all Republicans and those who lean conservative believe Trump won the 2020 election, and not Biden despite what mainstream media has reported. The extreme partisanship on both sides just may be the spark igniting the fuse to a civil war or even revolution, irrespective of who officially wins. Many pundits say that we're already experiencing a "cold civil war". 47% of voters believe that a "hot" civil war is all but inevitable according to a Marist National Poll taken on May 21st of this year. The poll indicated that 53% of Republicans believe a civil war is likely. 41% of our largest voting demographic, Independents, agree as does 40% of Democrats. Going a step further, among Millennials and Gen Z, that number is 58%. 46% of Gen X also believe a civil war is on the horizon. Interestingly, just 34% of Babyboomers agree (must be all that "flower power" resurfacing again), but Boomers aren't alone. Only 19% of the Silent Generation expect a civil war. When looking as race, 57% of Black Americans see the potential of an internal conflict. Of that, 22% are convinced that some form of domestic upheaval in the near future is likely. Half of all Latinos---50%---agree that civil war was likely to happen in their lifetimes as did 43% of whites (Asian, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders weren't included in the poll). When females in general were asked, 57% thought a civil war was likely whereas 57% of men disagreed. So, where does that leave us? Is a civil war likely to happen in America? For most Americans, they hope not but many are holding their collective breath in the hopes that our "national storm" passes us by. Both of the two corporate owned parties have denounce violence, and yet lame duck president, Joe Biden, is publically saying that he doesn't expect a peaceful transition of power. It's worth reminding ourselves of the old adage that every revolution carries with it the seeds of its own destruction. If such a internal conflict does occur, martial law would be nearly instantaneous. Many freedoms will be suspended. or restricted. America would almost immediately shift from a surveillance state to police state, perhaps aided by the guise of another virus as China did in Hong Kong, crushing all resistance. The ruling elite has long been planning for such an event from the shadowy corridors of power. All the mechanisms required are already in place. The mask of civility will fall from the face of the ruling Oligarchy and we will see them for who they are. However, increasing numbers of social scientists, especially historical and political, believe that we've already entered a "cold civil war" phase, which is largely being fought with words, images, and innuendoes. The media has already chosen a side as has much of the political and economic power structure along with the "nomenklatura" ( ie: managing government bureaucracy such as cabinet and department heads), the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the heads of the various intelligence agencies, better known collectively as the "shadow government". The embers of division among Americans, which is mostly manufactured and exaggerated, will be fanned until they burst into flames. The border crisis will continue to worsen because Big Business wants it to. They need the cheap labor, which drives down wages as competition for jobs increase. Politicians will continue to offer us lip service. After all, if the fascist duo of Washington and Wall Street saw illegal immigration as a serious threat to them, the border would be locked down tighter than Ft. Knox! Racial tensions will subtlety be fanned as old hatreds and suspicions are rekindled. The "battle of the sexes" will intensify, but not necessarily between the biological sexes, but between the boundary of transgendered men and women versus society's norms until it reaches a boiling point. Religion too will become ever more vocal, especially among the Right where morality will be tied to one's political stance. Tolerance may become a rare commodity. History is littered with the charred relics of such wars. The peaceful transition of power has been a hallmark of our Republic's stability, a rarity in the world. It has been both admired and despised around the globe. Our loss of trust in government, the media, the judicial system are not unfounded. There exists ample evidence of their corruptibility. However, it's the loss of tolerance and basic trust in each other which has caused the most harm. A democracy represents the will of the collective. We demand equality for all. When that's been lost, we revert to our tribal nature. A society cannot function or survive for long when it engages in the cult of the individual. Americans (and indeed the world) have been convinced that up is down and black is green. We've been made to believe that our neighbors are inherently our enemies because they look, dress, think, believe, or act differently from us when, in truth, it's their actions we must judge them by. Today, our Republic stands as a shell of its former self much as Rome's did early on under the Caesars. We must, if we're to save ourselves and the country, once again abide by will of the majority and peacefully tolerate differences of opinion while remembering our collective nemesis, while faceless, exists in the halls of power and in corporate boardrooms which comprises the shadowy ruling oligarchy. If you enjoyed the article, please consider passing it along to others and don't forget to subscribe. It's free! Lastly please be sure to "like" us on whatever platform you use to read anotheropinionblog.com. It helps beat the algorithms and keeps our articles in circulation. Thank you! Two-thirds in US fear violence could follow election,Reuter/Ipsos poll finds Worried about violence as election nears? Just say no. FiveThirtyEight: Do Americans approve or disapprove ofCongress? Morning Consult/Bloomberg: Swing State Tracking Poll Poll: 47% of Americans think a civil war is likely Democracy's appeal is slipping as nations across much of the world hold elections, a poll finds

'Riot' examines the lingering impacts of a bloody week in 1967 Newark.

It started simply enough for the times. April of 1970. Ohio State had been a Midwestern hot bed of protest for a few years by then. It was overlooked because of huge protests and clashes at Berkley, Columbia, Harvard and more well-known schools in major media market

The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 began on a hot July day and thought to be the worst of around 25 riots during the so-called ‘Red Summer’. Some ninety years later the New York Times called it the worst race riot in the history of Illinois. On July 27, 1919, an African-American teenager called Eugene … Continue reading "Extraordinary Pictures of the Chicago Race Riots of 1919"

Soldiers on patrol in Kanyama- Picture by Tenson Mkhala By Paul Shalala Zambian President Edgar Lungu has apologised to foreign nationals who have been displaced by recent riots where foreign owned shops were looted in the southern African nation’s capital Lusaka. Speaking when he addressed over 400 Burundian, Rwandese and Congolese nationals who have sought shelter at a Catholic Church hall in Lusaka, President Lungu said he would work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that they return to their houses. "I take full responsibility on behalf of the Zambian people. I also assure you of full protection and security of you and your property. The senseless violence in some parts of Lusaka are, in our view, acts of criminality rather xenophobic. We will work with the United Nations, the Church and our communities to resolve the matter,” said President Lungu. Zambians have been trooping to the Catholic Church with donations of food and clothing to help the refugees whose number keeps swelling by the hour. In the past three days, unruly residents of about seven townships in Lusaka attacked and looted goods from shops owned by foreigners mainly Burundians, Rwandese and Congolese. The riots were fuelled by rumours that foreign businessmen were behind the suspected ritual murders, a claim the Zambian authorities have vehemently denied. Initially, the riots started in northern township of Zingalume last week where six people had been killed and body parts removed in suspected ritual murders. President Lungu greets refugees- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza As mutilated bodies were being discovered in the same area over the past four weeks, residents descended on nearby Police stations where they vented their anger and destroyed property. From Zingalume, the riots spread to George, Lilanda, Garden, Chawama, Ibex Hill, Kanyama and Mtendere townships which are mostly slums. The Zambia Police Service deployed about 2,000 officers across the city but failed to pacify the situation. During a tour of some affected townships on Tuesday, Zambia’s Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila disclosed that two Zambians were burnt to death during the riots and over 200 others were arrested for riotous behaviour. Mr Mwila also disclosed that eleven people had been arrested on suspicion of being behind the suspected ritual murders. He said among the eleven where two foreigners whose identities and countries of origin he would not disclose. Soldiers securing Kanyama township “We arrested some suspects with some suspicious items which we want to subject to laboratory tests. We hope the tests will confirm whether those items are human parts or not,” said Rae Hamoonga, Zambia Police Service Deputy Spokesperson. As the situation was getting out of hand on Wednesday, President Lungu deployed the much feared Zambia Army in the townships where anarchy had characterised the past three days. “I Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has issued a Special Operational Order to the security services to restore law and order in some parts of Lusaka. The order is specifically designed to stop the recent spate of ritual murders and the resultant rioting in some townships where irresponsible people spread inflammatory rumours against certain nationalities. The operational order will be reviewed tomorrow,” read a statement from State House. Within hours of the Zambia Army being deployed, peace was restored to the capital city and some foreign shops were re-opened on Thursday. Soldiers on foot patrols and in pick-up trucks have continued patrolling the city. The Zambia Army is rarely deployed in residential areas and its presence brings fear to most Zambians who tolerate Police officers and usually pelt them with stones during riots. In Lilanda township, a group of soldiers in a pick-up truck where mobbed by slogan chanting residents while singing songs in praise of the army: ‘ama soldier besu……. Ama soldier besu’ (our soldiers….. our soldiers). This was in contrast with events of the last three days when residents fought running battles with Police officers who were responding with teargas. Some of the foreigners being housed by the Catholic Church Burundians, Rwandese and Congolese refugees came to Zambia in the 1990s and thousands of them live in residential areas around Lusaka. Most of them own retail shops and have integrated into Zambian society despite not taking up Zambian citizenship. Despite the Rwandese being given an opportunity by the Zambian government to get citizenship, they have refused to get the Rwandese passport from their local embassy as a first step before getting Zambian citizenship, a process which is being spearheaded by the UNHCR. Some Rwandese national have even adopted local Zambian names and they speak fluent Bemba and Nyanja, two of the most widely spoken languages in Lusaka. In townships like Chawama, Burundians and Rwandese own more shops than Zambians. Their business prowess has over the past decade become the backbone of the local economies in the slums of Lusaka. It is this success in their retail business which has made these hardworking refugees to become enemies of some disgruntled elements in these areas, leading to false rumours of the foreigners being involved in the sale of human body parts.

Police in riot gear patrol Plymouth Avenue during race riots in North Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 21, 1967. | Location: Plymouth Avenue, North Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Ingrained in each human is a desire to care for themselves, their family and those they love. And put simply, when that desire is taken away, we rise up and fight. Knowing how to safely stay away from the dangers of riots will keep you safe and away from harms way.

GTC DEEP CUT: WIFE PATROL Girl Cactus + Slip back in time and stream this barbed gem, here at the Global Texan.

National Guardsmen patrol a street, 01 May 1992 in Los Angeles. The 1992 Los Angeles riots, with looting and arson events, erupted 29 April 1992 when a mostly white jury acquitted the four police...

Riots in the Watts section with Negro youths carrying armloads of clothes running from looted stores, Los Angeles, California, August 1965.

Deadguy - Fixation on a CoworkerA Metallic Hardcore kick to the face!Tracklist:1. Doom Patrol 2. Pins and Needles 3. Die With Your Mask On4. Baby Arm 5. Makeshift Atomsmasher 6. The Extremist 7. Nine Stitches 8. Riot Stairs 9. Apparatus10. Crazy Eddie