From THE AUTHORITARIAN MAXIMS
For Minneapolis
Better the clear, heavy cut of the military boot
than the fuzzy, wavering lines
of pluralistic democracy
Better to be surveiled
than to surveil those
who will tread upon you
Better to sit quietly by
than to aid thy neighbor
Better to brutalize the alien in your midst
because fair treatment only invites his return
Better to accept the testimony
of your corporate media outlet
than to go see for yourself
Better to justify the use of force
than to seek to restrain it
Better to justify the shots fired
than to ask why the doctor
was the one restrained
Better to pepper spray the clergyman
than to allow him to recite scripture
Better to clear the streets
for the streets are for those
who will use them dutifully
Better the tear gas cannister
better the baton
better the police line
for these have always been
the fulcrums of peace
Better to smash windows
better to bust doors
for we truly love the sight
when it is not one of our own
Better to instill fear
for fear is the bedfellow
of well-behavedness
Spare the rod, spoil the populace
honor thy father and thy big brother
to the violent, we say, we will be more violent
to the passive, stand by
and you will be tolerated for now
Better to trust the words of the Strongman
than to consult those of the historian
Better to see in black and white
for the world in our eyes
is easy to divide
Better to let lawmen break laws
we have set for them
For law and order are now opposed