But the stories written in the media are largely sympathetic of the agitators shaping things in Ferguson, even though the violence is far greater, and self restraint isn't near what it was among Bundy's conservative or libertarian demonstrators in Nevada earlier this year.
The militias and others at Bundy's came seeking a federal de-escalation. The militants in Ferguson seek to provoke escalation.
Here's how the Washington Post describes some of those now taking up positions, trying to manipulate events in Ferguson:
Some of the men are from the area — Ferguson or surrounding towns also defined in part by the gulf separating the mostly white law enforcement agencies from a mistrusting African American public. Many others — it is hard to quantify the percentage — have arrived by bus and by car from Chicago, Detroit, Brooklyn and elsewhere.
They will not give their names. But their leaders say they are ready to fight, some with guns in their hands. “This is not the time for no peace,” said one man, a 27-year-old who made the trip here from Chicago.
He spoke after a small group of fellow militants held a meeting behind a looted store, sketching out ambitions for the days ahead.I was no fan of the heavy handed federal BLM policing at Bundy's. And I think cops overplayed their hand with military like trappings in the original response in Ferguson.
But the crew looting and firebombing in Ferguson has managed to escalate things to the point of having the National Guard called up.
And the media still seems enamored with protests in Ferguson, and doesn't dare criticize organizers or participants there the way it vilified what media labeled "extremist" or "anti-government" elements at Bundy's.
No demonstrator at Bundy Ranch fired a shot, threw a firebomb, or attempted to loot a business.
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