Later that night while watching the news I discovered that the truth was somewhere in between: No, they weren't "anarchists," but there was more than a handful of them (30 to 45, the figure kept changing); and No, they weren't "terrorists," but they did have backpacks full of lighter fluid and paint balls, which the police referred to "incendiary devices" (flaming paint balls?). Did the cops overreact? In retrospect, yes; but when 45 chanting hippies storm into some stuffy furrier's store right in the middle of the trip-wire atmosphere of the Democratic Convention, isn't an "overreaction" to be expected?

Unfortunately, with their backs up against the wall already due to an endless series of scandals, the LAPD feels compelled to blow this supposed terrorist threat out of proportion. These coppers are walking on eggshells, figuring (correctly) that every single move they make will be criticized by both the protesters AND the press. A siege mentality is in full effect. EVERYONE is a nemesis in this scripted little psycho-drama, with each group playing a carefully scripted part.

Realizing this, I decided not to waste my time asking anyone's opinion about anything from now on, since I know EXACTLY what they're gonna say before they even say it. From now on all I'm gonna do is WATCH (AND read the box scores. Go, Mariners!).