Give My Regards To Broadview

 This is not a third world country being run by an authoritarian despot.

Is it?

Scenes coming out of recent protests against ICE goons and their heavy-handed tactics with civilians and (checks notes) members of the clergy have caused even more outrage than the weeks of pent up frustration with the draconian measures being used in the events leading up to the attempts at creating a police state in Chicago and Portland. 

Like the woman who was shot by the masked kidnappers when they panicked and decided to use deadly force rather than make any attempt to deescalate the situation. Or the increasing number of moments when guns are being pointed at unarmed protesters, ignoring the cardinal rule of weapons use: don't point a gun at anyone unless you intend to use it. 

Especially if they are wearing a chicken suit. 

From her perch high above the "war-torn" city of Portland, Oregon Kristi "Of Course It's Spelled With An I" Noem surveyed a dozen or so protesters gathered outside. Right wing conspiracy guy Benny Johnson posted a video of the moment, he described "an army of Antifa and a guy in a chicken suit," and recorded the ICE Queen's reaction: "Hey; Guy in the chicken suit. You can do better. Too bad they are uneducated and ill-informed."

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Reverend David Black invited the ICE goons down to pray for repentance. he was shot with pepper balls, one of which struck him in the head and knocked him to the ground. No word from the ICE Queen about how black robes and clerical collars fit in with her lofty judgements about costuming. 

Maybe you are familiar with the Nicaraguan priests who were arrested over the past seven years for leading anti-government protests that the regime down there consider an attempted coup. Those who preach peace and tolerance are considered enemies of the government. 

That's Nicaragua. 

Here in Estados Unidos we kid ourselves that we are somehow above all that. 

Not anymore.