Over the weekend, I watched the ESPN 30-For-30 special Straight Outta L.A., a documentary on the Raiders experience in Los Angeles.

The L.A. Raiders, a short-lived marriage between Southern California and Al Davis, came to town at the height of gang activity in the city, as well as the beginnings of a new hip hop culture. In Los Angeles from just 1982-1994, one event stood out more than all others as I watched.

Straight Outta L.A. was narrated by one of L.A.'s gangsta rap founders, Ice Cube, who spoke painfully about the 1992 L.A. Riots. I remember these words he said about the mayor, Tom Bradley.

"I knew he was going to let the city burn." And it did.

Why do I bring this up? Because the images of Los Angeles came flooding to mind when I saw this:
The image is from the New York Times, and depicts Bangkok, the capitol of Thailand, yesterday.

Civil unrest has been brewing in Bangkok since 2006, when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from power in a military coup. Some members of the current government are blaming Thaksin for causing the current unrest.

However, unrest would be an understatement of massive proportion. Yesterday, the Thai military stepped up its aggressiveness, leading to a bloody takeover of the protests.

Arsonists in Bangkok set fire to almost 30 buildings, the government said, including the country's stock exchange, a massive shopping mall, two banks, a movie theater and a television station. Two city halls were set on fire in the provincial capitals when thousands of protesters reacted to news of the Bangkok crackdown.

Somehow, only 12 people were killed and about 60 injured, far less than expected. That is because, do to the increased pressure from the powerful Thai military, many of the protest's leaders turned themselves in yesterday. This is the same protest that saw a renegade general shot in the head while giving an interview with a western reporter last week.

That reporter wrote an incredible piece, saying he heard a bang, like a firecracker, before the general collapsed. He also talked about how the city is built to be a world-class city, with architecture portraying high hopes, yet it is often reduced to times like today.

Or yesterday. When the city burned.

What happens tomorrow? Here is a look from both sides.

Protesters apparently feel let down by their leaders, and it was at that point that they took to the buildings. They are calling for new elections (which they actually got, but rejected), and it is questionable what could actually end this. Thailand is a country with a hugely powerful military, meaning rebellion is very difficult, at least not without the military's help.

A quote from a protester: "We want democracy. True democracy, free democracy. Why is it so hard, why?"

On the other side, the directive should probably make their stance clear. Should protesters become violent at all, they will be shot. And they were yesterday. One protester said that, "if the prime minister wants to govern the country on top of this wreckage, he should go ahead and kill us all." Shortly after the military killed two protesters, wounded several journalists and killed an Italian news photographer.

All the while, the city burned.

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Speaking of civil unrest, coming off of his blowout win in the Kentucky republican primary, Tea Party candidate Rand Paul is not talking about current policy, but is instead answering questions about his views on the Civil Rights Act. Check out this piece on the Rachel Maddow show. Before you pass it off as Maddow being an MSNBC hack (which she is), remember that Paul announced his candidacy on her show.

Apparently, Dr. Paul has a problem with the federal government telling private businesses whether or not they can discriminate. He is completely supportive of civil rights protections when government funding is involved. He calls it "ending institutional racism."

I just saw this clip this morning, but I've got a couple of thoughts. One, I've never been into a private business that still doesn't have a sign saying, "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." That said, there are very few business that don't receive some form of government funding or subsidy.

In addition, Maddow specifically asked him how he could be against discrimination, but not support the CRA. Well, I actually know quite a few women who are against the Equal Protection Act. Why? Because those protections already exist. In the Bill of Rights and the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments of the Constitution. In other words, I don't need to be singled out for protection. I need my government to enforce the foundation of its laws.

Third, per usual, this has been blown up by the left as Paul being a crazy right-wing, racist nut. That may or may not be true. I am all for the Democrat winning in Kentucky. However, this is one of those times that I get sick of two white people arguing from ivory towers about how to treat black people they rarely come in contact with. Let's use a demographic to get elected, but then forget about that demographic until we get elected again. What could change that? Black people voting.

Lastly, Paul makes one really good point. Today, being a racist business owner would be an awful business decision. Is the problem the lack of government regulation, or is it inherent racism within people? Which gets to Paul's original point. Is institutionalized racism the problem, or is it individual racism? I think the former far more than the latter. If children are raised in public school systems that reject discrimination and teach equality, as their public funding would suggest they must, then the solution of the problem happens at age four, not with glorified affirmative action.

Excuse me while I go back to being a Democrat now. And I'll think some more on this topic and get back to you.

Financial reform hit a roadblock yesterday, thanks to our junior senator from Washington, Maria Cantwell. Saw a good headline in reference to the senator's vote against cloture: "Yes We Cantwell." Majority Leader Harry Reid racked up 57 votes for cloture, was screwed by Mass. Senator Scott Brown, and lost Cantwell as well. Both Maine Republicans were 'yes' votes. The day after his loss in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania, Senator Arlen Specter did not vote.

A big hearing on the Hill today, with nothing to do with anything you've heard about so far. The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on the effects of concussions on high school athletes. One of the biggest unknowns in athletics are concussions (in medical circles as well), and it cannot be long before a larger safety protocol comes. It could start with this report, from the GAO, showing the most athletes return too soon after suffering the brain trauma.

Finally, I am making this announcement today, knowing that you will forget, and I'll make it again. Over the last week or so, I have been transferring my blog over to a new host, with a new URL. It is pretty much ready, save for a couple of tweaks, though it is not yet what I want it to be. That said, go check it out at www.politicsandpeople.org.

It obviously looks very much like a blog, which is the main thing I am looking into changing. As you've probably noticed, I've moved a lot of my content into the news-y, political (and otherwise) realm, and less about my specific experiences in DC. That said, the people part still stands, because I expand on things, such as the Rand Paul issue from today, or the racism in America piece from last week. I'd like to separate that from the personal stuff. We'll see how that goes.

Anyway, check out the new space, tell me what you think. And I will have a more personal piece on my visit to the White House yesterday, sometime this week.