A snapshot of contemporary America

Yes, I know there were some numbskulls lurking hoping to do violence of some kind to the Olympic Torch, although the main goal was a nonviolent protest of the oppressive Chinese government (is there any other kind, in the end?), so I understand why the mayor of San Francisco felt it necessary to deploy police officers to protect the folks who were participating in the torch run Thursday.

I just found this image from the San Francisco Chronicle's coverage to be a remarkable summary of life in the land of the free and the home of the brave, circa 2008.