>"protests naturally have positive and negative aspects - but often the protesters themselves are useful imbalanced tools of the rational folks. Clearly the head of these protest movements stay behind the scenes and let the protester minions achieve their ends.'

You've missed Mary Anne's point.
Jefferson said it all.
Mass movements of people protesting is a gutteral thing, it is outrage, it is protest!
It is INSTINCT!
It is the other side of the coin of being manipulated, conquered, subjugated, left-out, angered, etc...you name it.

We know you try to "stay balanced", un-emotional, and are constantly finding long-winded ways to say you are above it all, all this emotionalism. Yet, you over-reach, and over-emphasize points that just aren't valid.
You really need to let go every once and in a while, and not be afraid to have FEELINGS.
All those rationalizations will get you an ulcer and hemmoroids.

You need a release somewhere else.
Kick boxing?
Tai chi?
Golf?

Even girls can often provide relief if you can stick with it.
The emotional side of you will always be out of balance until you learn to master it.
However, even that could take a lifetime, especially if you meet the right girl.
Even a wrong one or two........
;~)

LOL