Bison Messink:
Just depends on which dictionary you want to pick up and which definition you want to read, Jack. Here's another definition, from Random House: NOUN: a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons, as by a crowd protesting against another group, a government policy, etc., in the streets.
Personally, I don't think purposeless, overly-exuberant celebrations should be quantified in the same way as passionate civil disturbances that arise out of genuinely felt grievances which are then fueled and prolonged by desperation, hopelessness and complex emotional reactions against authority.
But reasonable people can disagree on this, and I certainly don't excuse the behavior of those in Lexington.
April 3, 2012
jack lamb:
ri·ot/ˈrīət/
Noun:
A violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd: "riots broke out in the capital".
Verb:
Take part in a violent public disturbance: "students rioted in Paris"; "a night of rioting".