I'll try not to be too snarky as I ask "what do these things have in common": (1) Crude oil has crossed $49/bbl., presumably on its way over $50, amidst continuing strong demand and ever more tenuous supply, and (2) New York City's police department has made a public show of force, including its riot gear and helicopters, to show it means business to battle protestors around the GOP Convention and even the Grey Lady succumbs to the idea that "the enemy is anarchists".
First of all, it strikes me as inconceivable that any President whose policies contributed to $49/bbl. oil is even running for reelection, let alone seems to be running neck and neck in the polls (though trending against him, admittedly). But then, in such a situation, where resources will become more scarce and expensive, what more telling image is there than police in riot gear pushing back (with various degrees of force) political protestors?
This is the stuff of craziness: we really haven't seen too much of this since the late 1960's, when a combination of discontent over Vietnam, civil rights, and other events (think "Prague Spring"), and peculiarly warm summers, led to many a long hot summer in the United States (and lotsa stuff elsewhere).
[. . .]
This is where Bush has taken us in four years. The nation hasn't been so divided in 30 years. How much do you want to bet the streets of New York will resemble the Dem Convention of '68?
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