As the last few days in Los Angeles has demonstrated, we have a new edition of the annual chaos, violence, and destruction that now characterizes the largest cities of the once-great American union. The Crazy Years (Heinlein’s idea) continue.

It is probably not a question of whether the anti-ICE “peaceful protests” in Los Angeles will spread to a dozen other cities. Rather, it is a question of when. What can be done? Both as a society and as individuals and families?

We have seen this time after time in the last several decades: the spectacle of riots with destruction, looting, setting vehicles on fire, and attacks on bystanders is blazoned across screens on a daily basis. And people talk, type, and scream about how it is the right of these riots to peacefully protest the actions of the FedGov and anything else. Other people – more talking heads – pontificate (including screaming) about how the cops ought to just wipe out the violent rioters. Still others say to let the cities burn: they did it to themselves and why waste time, money, blood, and lives helping those who won’t help themselves.

Here at TPOL we tend to lean more towards that last option. As with the Occupy movement and the George Floyd riots, and the Rodney King terror, and the Ferguson business, the policies and actions of the leaders – no, the rulers – of these cities and urban areas have resulted in this.

We can even point out that urban areas, including Republican and Imperial Rome, Constantinople, Paris, New York City, and many others, historically have fostered such tyranny and such behavior by mobs and politicians. While supposedly “civilization” is associated with “cities” we argue that history demonstrates that true civilization – like civility – is at greater risk in urban conditions. Whether it is a mere tens of thousands, (Examples: ancient London, Amsterdam, Alexandria, or Jerusalem) or the millions and millions of the vast urban constellations. (Examples: ancient and modern Ciudad Mexico, Hong Kong, Lagos, Chicago, … and Los Angeles.)

Perhaps it is indeed a feature of urban areas: the proven demonstration of behavior collapse in rats in overcrowded conditions. Overpopulation in incredibly crowded living spaces leads to anxiety behavior; people exhibit classical conditioned defensive reflexes, demonstrate sinister behavior patterns, and honestly result in the spiritual death of large numbers of people. This isn’t just the mobs in the streets: it is the managers of the urban area’s institutions, the other inhabitants of the area, and even (or especially) the professionals serving the area. Including those providing essential services and running the governments. We see that in the cops, in the bureaucrats, in the sanitation workers, and others.

Not just in a few cities – but virtually every large, overcrowded city. The exceptions are rare. Madness is indeed contagious. And modern (as well as historic) examples demonstrate that.

So what do we here at TPOL see as a solution?

Long-term, decentralize, reduce (and ultimately eliminate) the power of governments even at a local level that results in such unsafe conditions. But that requires education, personal responsibility, and a moral people: nothing that can be done quickly.

Shorter-term? Hold people responsible for their actions. No, not just the people who burn cars and loot stores and spread fear and terror in mobs. And attack people. But those whose actions (and failure to take action) have created the opportunity for such things. Including politicians and leadership that come up with stupid laws and promote policies that allow for such actions. And instigate them.

Immediately? Get out of these places whenever possible. Until you can, be prepared to and do defend yourself and your family and friends. Both by avoiding the danger areas and by taking action yourself and in cooperation with others. The same advice Jesus gave to His followers when they saw armies gathering around Jerusalem can be applied today, as well. The hideous fate of those people who stayed in Jerusalem (just like in hundreds of besieged cities and fortresses throughout history) should remind us of what can happen. We don’t need science fiction novels, movies, or manga to tell us.