[ClearCase_guy]

the participants first appeared to him as “freethinking activists” but have since devolved into something more sinister.

No actual change took place, of course. Anarchists (the modern type) portray themselves as freethinking activists, but the reality is that they are chaos-loving bullies who believe that might makes right and laws are for sissies.

[I see my hands]

"might makes right and laws are for sissies"

Not exactly the ideal social order but more advanced than the PC based rules we are governed by now.

[GOPJ]

The bloom is off the rose...