At Concrete Loop, for instance, commenters note the disparity of Wesley "I Don't Have To Pay Taxes" Snipes getting three years for the non-violent crime of tax evasion and Michael Vick's imprisonment for killing a dog, while the police officers in the Bell case (two of whom, it should be noted, are African American) still get to enjoy the sunshine as free men. Keeping would-be reactionaries in check, however, is Nahright's Eskay, who suggests that protesters "just stay home an avoid being a Sean Bell."

This statement might also apply to the ever-increasing power of the Internet and blogs in general as places to vent righteous anger and inspire change, rather than taking it to the streets, where the fine line between anger and violence can be easily crossed. Are blogs becoming the new voice of protest?