Tragic insanity on US streets - Vigilantes in Ferguson

THE last thing the divided community of riot-torn Ferguson, Missouri, and the almost intractable problem of race relations in the US, needed was an exclusively white group of middle-aged, self-appointed vigilantes, each better armed than most European soliders, “patrolling” the streets.

It was reminiscent of nothing more than the intervention of the Klu Klux Klan half a century ago when white racists did all in their power to prevent racial integration in the southern states forced to change their ways by an administration in Washington determined to stamp out the old hatreds.

Styling themselves as the Oath Keepers — an American version of the Real IRA presumably, equally deluded and unrepresentative — the individuals carried automatic rifles and side arms and insisted that they were on the streets to protect protestors and media personnel.