As someone in his 60s, I'd say that age has little to do with it. We live in a country that just loves that shit. They love their military parades, the jets flying over Super Bowls, they love their men in uniform.

Most polls show, especially now that violence is on the rise (for reasons far beyond what promoters of more policing will acknowledge and that you correctly point to in this article), that most Americans are in favor of adding to police budgets.

I don't see much in the way of public opinion that shows that Americans have a problem with police acting as de facto occupying armies. The protesters were all young. Well, mostly young.

Just like they were in the 1970s when they revolted against Vietnam. And then, a funny thing happened.

All those protesters got into their comfort zone and voted for Ronald Reagan.

All the rock stars writing protest songs got filthy rich and focused on the next dollar. Bob Dylan just sold his music library for more money than the entire writing crew of Medium will collectively see in their lifetime.

Money, money, money, money. That's the only thing people care about. They don't care if they live in an armed camp, as long as there is the promise of money. It's largely a broken promise for most people, but everyone wants the dream. So they vote accordingly.

Show me the money! That's the essence of the American voter.

Today's protester will be tomorrow's conservative voter. History has proven it.

Maybe this time will be different, seeing as young people can't afford housing, education, or cars without going deeply into debt as a result of this voting history.