The Short Range Future

For John, BLUF:  Reporter Michael Yon brings a fresh set of eyes to the problems in Portland.  As General David Petraeus once asked:  "Tell me how this ends."  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Dispatch 15:  Return to America:  Ebbs and Flows

From Michael's Dispatches, by Reporter Michael Yon, 5 October 2020.

Here are three key paragraphs on Portland:

Ebbs and Flows: Media reports about Portland fighting abating.  The authors of those articles often attach unstudied analysis in the form of wishful thinking.  Not to be confused with positive thinking.

I do not sense the Portland fighting will suddenly abate and vanish.  My current feel is that ANTIFA/BLM in Portland has eroded its support base.  BUT, the Antifa terrorists still are energetic, highly emotional, and their moods will be affected by, yet transcend, 2020 elections.

My sense is this will go on no matter the results of the elections.  Potential terrorists without a cause have been assigned a cause.  Local government here is amazingly weak-minded, feeble-minded, creating a vacuum that terrorists have filled.

The Media, the Fourth Estate, seems to be ignoring the long term issues of what is happening in Portland.  The danger is that it will not wind down as winter comes.  The additional danger is that it will spread to other parts of the nation.  I think we are playing with fire here and we don't realize it.

Regards  —  Cliff