November 5th, 2017

It's weird, I don't think I've ever paid so much attention to the news. But this last week it seems like I've been purposely watching the news every day, and reading the papers available at work. I'd ask when I became so interested in current events, but I know it's been a combination of things. Mostly it's been the conspiracy that Hal has introduced me to and everything he's been telling me about. Max had always shared news items with me. But when the news items she shared started lining up with the things Hal has been telling me, I started paying more attention to the news on my own. Then between what happened at DIA, and that tree showing up in LODO, suddenly I've been watching the news every day just to see what's happening.

With officials unable to provide any worthwhile explanation for what happened at DIA, news on that front seems to have come to a standstill. It seems neglect has been ruled the explanation for what happened, someone didn't set a brake, or forgot to chock a wheel. It was an unfortunate accident, but DIA will make sure everyone affected will have their health care reviewed and compensated where appropriate. Beyond that, nothing.

On the other hand, the tree in LODO has been making headlines. Or at least the protests surrounding it have. City officials have made the decision to go ahead and cut down the tree, and the protesters have somehow found a massive support system. It seems people have been coming in from all around the state and further to protest cutting the tree down. They surrounded the tree today and wouldn't let anyone near it. Police took action a couple of hours ago citing concern that someone might get hurt. Of course, in taking action, some people got hurt.

I have to admit, I'm impressed that the protesters have been so persistent. They were there all day, and while the intersection has been cleared and the police have set up blockades, there are groups of people marching the streets. We could hear one group here just a half hour ago. On the whole the crowds have been noisy, but not disruptive. That said, they've attracted the sort of people who will take advantage of whats going on to cause their own forms of chaos. It didn't take long for the protesters to adapt to the trolls. Now when someone starts causing problems, the entire crowd will back away from the offender and point at them to make them visible. It seems to be having the desired effect.

It's disappointing that all this had to happen, though it's good to hear that the police employed non-lethal forms of crowd dispersal. I still don't understand why the tree can't have been dug up and moved. The protesters didn't want anything to happen to it, and wouldn't entertain any suggestions. But I do have to admit that the cost and effort of moving the tree would be excessive. It is a massive tree, even for a cottonwood.

I've been texting Max, she was really hoping to see the tree again, but if they cut it down we might be out of luck. That is, unless Hal and Tim are right. If it's a true ironwood there's no telling what will happen. I guess we find out tomorrow.