For the umpteenth fucking time, why are agents of the state allowed to kill us on a whim?

Because it's the American way

They can kill whoever they like because of... um, "The Doctrine of Perceived Disrespect." "You don't treat Law Enforcement like that!"

some brilliant person from a far-right other country I read quoted once said that when rich people develop a fear - or even phobia - about poor people coveting their wealth, the rich quickly snap into demanding a brutal hierarchy