@hopmedic, thank you for your service, your principles are to be commended, and I believe you are valid on most, if not all points... but especially on your point that the same rights and respect should apply "TO" all people, "BY" all people. I also believe that the catalyst that is sparking the passions of the common folk is that the hate, or at the very minimum, the lack of respect towards others, seems to be condoned, and practiced by the Leader of our country. Our president reminds me of the bully in junior high that would walk through the halls and demand another's lunch money, under the threat physical harm, or humiliation. I believe that most decent people dislike a bully (I, for one, dislike NOTHING more, and I don't care who, or what, you are), and that seems to be the new norm, so of course, emotions are red-lining. Hate is a terrible thing, and scares decent people, and decent people fight hate with a passion. You can't tell me that if a hate group (any hate group, regardless of what side they say they are on) came walking down your street with guns, shields, helmets, swastika tattoos all over their bodies, with a look in their eye that reflex "you gut a problem buddy?", wouldn't concern you, and you would do everything in your power, to protect your family, and friends. Decent folk (not the zealot, from any side. or belief), feel the same way about their country, and world... and don't want the hate being spread because the haters have made it a life style to physically prepare themselves for confrontation. I know for a fact that if you get up in my face, I am most likely going to walk away (or laugh at you), but... I also know this for a fact, that if you were to touch my family, friend, the little guy/girl (regardless of color, region, sexual preference, etc.) next to me, I will be 'all in', win or lose.
I know we didn't have much of a choice this last election ( at lease I didn't think so), and, I too, am sick of the rich and powerful shoving a broomstick up our arses and calling it a panacea (and charging us for the broomstick); and the inability of our leaders to earn their money, finding solutions to the problems of the people and our country, working with each other and other nations to find solutions for all the people of the world - not just act like kindergarteners. I hope that Trump will grow up and start acting like an adult, I really wish Tillerson, or Kelly where the president, I wish I wasn't so ashamed of my president.
As far as "Back Lives Matter", yes they do (but they didn't, not one bit, >50 years ago), I understand their bitterness, I also believe poor lives matter... "all lives matter" - but it is NO excuse for spreading an atmosphere of hate.
With regards to Reginald Denny - that poor man, I still feel sick that a person(s) could do that to another person, just sick - that was the direct result of the hate inspired by 4 LA police officers beating the living hell out of Rodney King on a back road in Los Angles... AND getting away with it - "SAY WHAT!"
I know I'm NO better than anyone else, and that's OK...I don't want to be.