Riots have quantified the the cost of social injustice. Now everyone can estimated the cost and benefits of social and law enforcement reform. Businesses, who essentially run the country, now know that not supporting reform will impact their balance sheet.

They are collateral damage as you mentioned.

They can also drive change with their votes.

Some slaves were better off before the abolishment of slavery. Some lost their lives involuntarily. Would use that logic to say we shouldn’t have eliminated it?

Thanks OP. While I think you may be a little off base with bringing in global economic sanctions compared to a national human rights crisis. I understand the gist of what you are saying. I can’t speak to the details of the sanctions but there could be innocent people hurt.

And yes I agree let’s solve the injustices, but keep in mind many individuals make up the society. This is human civil rights issue I don’t see why collectively business and small business have to be destroyed. I have not seen a single quality answer. If It’s the collective societies issue than why are you glossing over this group of people - they are a part of society and have rights too.

OP, I agree with you. As a society, we definitely pay a collective price to keep anarchy at bay. I think you’re focusing on one of the two primary payment methods, the financial/pocketbook costs. Like, on our soil for infrastructure (including a courts system) but also stuff like Naval shipbuilding budgets. Open shipping lanes is actually in the USN’s mandate.

The other main payment method is individual freedoms. We make a collective choice there too, and occasionally that balance should be revisited as well.

I know this is very superficial and lots of complexities around ability to be free while living paycheck to paycheck. Just wanted to highlight that there are two ways in which we pay this piper.

Are you trying to start a violent revolution and overthrow the government? We’re not talking about a coup d’etat here; we’re trying to reform the behavior of police in what are largely big cities with democratic leaders and a population that by and large skews liberal. There are many people sympathetic to the protest and all looting and rioting is doing is alienating the supporters who also believe that violent means should not be condoned.

Looters and rioters are just shooting them selves in the foot. Riots are how Nixon won the election over Humphrey. Can you imagine how different this country would look like if the author of the Civil Rights Act was president instead of a criminal?

Sure, I just think anyone that justifies looting by saying insurance is stupid.