I see where you're coming from, but I think that's an exaggeration.
A strategically-placed bus could be of significant value in terms of mobility, particularly if well-defended.
Its not APC ready to roll through the zombie horde, but it can move a decent number of folks in a pinch, and that's valuable.
Fill the void, exactly - NOT expand beyond the void.
Not yet.
Once the convention is passed, which is very likely going to alter the context significantly, we can look at the situation and re-align our perspective in this vein.
If they use Molotov, we hold the line and protect the people.
If they use guns, that's where the cc guys need to step in if the police don't - as you said, that's their purpose.
No, nonononono, its NOT about survival, yet.
And that's the point.
The Leftists WANT to take it to that level, but they're just dipping a toe in, going a bit deeper each time… They want us to come leaping out of the pool to drag them in - and we can't do that.
Not yet.
If it gets to the point of Molotov, pipe bombs and bullets coming at us as we place ourselves between the people and the 'protestors/insurgents and the police do not intervene, then all bets are off m8.
Ooooooh, no, you don't understand - if it gets to that point, and we haven't moved our line, we've prioritized protecting our people, we've made that our top priority, even at the expense of life or limb, then the optic war is won.
Not. Yet.
The people, bro… The people.
Its not time for the death and glory shit just yet.
But I suspect it will be in the days to come, following the convention and leading into November… This is going to be a harsh Summer.
No, the reporters don't matter at all.
The moderates though, they matter.
They are our new recruits.
Nobody could watch what you are implying as a possibility (justly, I might add) on television, never mind the online livestreams and after-the-fact video releases, without siding with the Nationalists under Donald J. Trump.
Win the crowd, make them love you - not for your brutality upon the (oft unclear or unknown or unacknowledged) enemy, but for your… guardianship of your innocent kin - and you will have gained more… A picture of a Trump supporter blocking a Molotov from hitting innocent onlooks would be worth more than all the broken-leftist-jawbones in the world m8.
It would win us the election, and more, it would be a major step in winning the war.