One component to all of this I think a lot of people miss is the fact that most of the western world, America, in particular, has become absolutely desensitized to all of this.
To suffering. To mass shootings. To pandemic outbreaks. To overseas wars. To the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. To politicians blaming other politicians when we don't respond correctly to a national weather disaster.
A lot of us are just beyond numb, and we don't give a fuck anymore. We're circling the wagons, keeping that circle small and tight, choosing to take care of and protect our own, and trying to block out the rest of the noise.
A lot of us just want to be left alone to do exactly that, while the kids fight it out amongst themselves. As long as no one is bleeding, let 'em fight. That's how I was raised. As long as no one is honestly trying to hurt the other, let the kids scrap, then shake hands and hug it out afterwards.
Just leave the rest of us who don't feel like playing THE FUCK ALONE.
That's what liberty means to me. Cheers.