[Smokin' Joe]

We do have our subtle equivalent of the 'big man' convoy, and although for political purposes it must be somewhat better behaved, the actions of the Swimmer behind the wheel were neither the first nor last such behaviours with an automobile by higher government officials here. Unless politically expedient or lethal (and sometimes even then) few incidents ever see the light of day.

That said, the assessment of the 'big man' convoy's effect of intimidation of the masses is spot-on.

We have a more subtle and less openly violent modus operandi in our government, whether it be the guys with 17-inch necks in dark glasses and identical suits speaking into their sleeves and riding in black suburbans with well-tinted windows, or the more open presence of uniformed escorts, the message is the same. That helicopter (drone?) overhead and the boots (or shiny black cop shoes) on the ground are designed to reek of unapproachable power, and the syncophantic select are 'blessed' with the opportunity to approach the powerful for a two second photo-op audience.

The same psychology is at play in either case, just the one is more decadently and openly violent, perhaps because the people either do not possess the means to keep it less so, or because they do not demand more civility from their leaders and are not in a position to do so.

Instead of leading away from such behaviour, we appear to be sliding toward it.

[P.O.E.]

Instead of “government by the people” etc., we’re developing a Mandarin class that exists for its own benefit.