This may be long, but no apologies. As I watched the events of Jan. 6, 2021 unfold, I hurt inside, as much if not more than I did on Sept. 11, 2001 during the attacks on the World Trade Centers by foreign adversaries. This time it cut me deeper, again to the point of tears because it was perpetrated by our own people. Domestic Terrorist, not foreign terrorist. I immediately began to text back and forth with Tony, knowing he was watching events unfold as well. Knowing his literary wheels were turning. I told Tony I could not wait my normal week or two before posting. I needed to post this week. He returned a text saying he was already typing and his keyboard was on fire. If you concern yourself with foreign terrorist and think building a wall or stopping foreign travel into this country will stop attacks, Then you should look at history and review the list of individuals who perpetrated those attacks on US citizens over the last 10 yrs.
I watched the group that attacked the US Capital. Many were carrying Trump (I’ll never capitalize his name) flags along side of, if not on the same flag pole as the US flag. At one point, these terrorist lowered the US flag and raised a Trump flag. The President (and I only capitalize the word in respect to the office, not the person) called them “true patriots”. You want to be a true patriot, enlist, put on a uniform and stand a post. You want to be a patriot, put on a uniform and defend our constitutional democracy, not attack it. You want to be a patriot, put on a uniform and go into someone’s country, away from your family for an extended period of time, and defend their rights, not your own. A lot easier to say you’re a patriot, than to actually be one. As so eloquently stated in the movie A Few Good Men, stop using the word as a punchline. This was an attack on our own constitutional democracy based on false claims and ill conceived knowledge of our constitutional processes & laws. Pure ignorance. Domestic terrorism is what it was. The least patriotic thing you could do.
As I watched the attack I recalled a short discussion I had with one of my sons. We were out as a family during the recent holiday and I was wearing a facemask designed as the US flag. The mask was given to me when I volunteered to help at Vet Fest 2020. Vet Fest is an annual event held in the Town of Whitehall to help raise awareness of 22in22 (soldier suicide prevention). My son, in his concern for me, asked me “Do you really want to wear that mask?” I asked “Why?” He began to express concern that others may think I am a Trump supporter. I responded, “I don’t care what they think. second, I don’t support Trump, and finally I would tell them that my love for the flag, my concern for the flag & my respect for the flag, should never be construed as my support for or pledge to one individual or demagogue. It is my support and pledge to our constitutional democracy for which it represents.” That is what makes what those terrorist did, the least American thing they could do.
Immediately people flooded social media with post in disagreement of what was taking place. Then as if already scripted in my mind, those in support of Trump were deflecting away for the current events and posting things trying to compare the BLM protests with domestic terror. Trying to compare Antifa (please research what Antifa is in America, and its origins) with domestic terror. Some saying Antifa was the larger group in the protest. If that was the case, then why did our incompetent, inconsiderate, self-centered, egotistical narcissist of a President speak before the crowd and incite them to a violent attack on our Capital? Then he continued to lie (as he always does) to them by saying they should march on the Capital, and he would march with them. He did not. He wants others to carry out his ill-conceived ideas. Hey Rudy come here, I have a favor to ask.
Comparing BLM protest over the summer to what happened on Jan. 6, is comparing a response to civil rights inequities vs. a direct physical attack on our constitutional democracy. One is lawful and one is not! I’m not condoning the violence, looting or destruction of property during any protest. Destruction of property against individuals who are not the cause of your grief is not an American response. The attack on the Capital was a direct result of poor leadership, the BLM protests were a result of poor policies & procedures.
On Jan. 7, 2021 the President finally took the advice of those around him and gave a speech in response to the attack on the Capital. He lied once again by saying he immediately called in the National Guard. Mr. President, if that was the case, the National Guard would have been in place prior to you giving your speech inciting violence & an attack on the Capital. The President of Law & Order? A completely divergent response at the Capital from that of this summer. What color is your skin again? This is the same person who years before said there were good people on both sides of a pro-white rally. What the fuck are you thinking?
Let’s bring this back to the point of origin. It all started when the President and his followers tried to change the rules of the game, while the game was being played. The President & his administration carried the mantra that all decisions should be pushed down to the States, then complain about the decisions that are made. The reason that is done, is so the President & his administration didn’t have to take responsibility for the decision. Poor Leadership! On top of that, the republican party supported his efforts to overturn the election, when they knew they constitutionally could not. Then the President, his administration & the republican representatives and senators that supported him continued expelling the falsehood of overturning the election up to and including Jan. 6, 2021. It amazes me that some people can’t sense the smell of shit when talking out of their ass.
If you want the rules of the game changed, when you don’t agree with them or it is determined to not be in the best interest of ALL involved, you change the rules when the game is over. Now I’m not saying there aren’t some errors in elections. There are. What there isn’t is fraud (read the definition). Fraud is what happens when you have gerrymandering of voting districts, reduction of poling places or removal of mail processing equipment to slow mail in voting. If you think that States cannot handle the election process on their own, then change the rules now that the election is over. Have the Federal Government set the policy/process for all elections, in all States across the US. Oh wait, that would amount to socialism. Wait what was that comment I made about folks sensing the smell of shit……..?
Finally on Jan. 7, 2021, the President (sounding the most presidential he ever has, because he read from a teleprompter and didn’t interject his own words), said “those responsible for the riots should be held accountable.” Well Mr. President, once again in your infinite wisdom you should be the first person arrested. Then your son, Donald Jr., Rudy Giuliani and that idiot senator with the “Fire Pelosi” hat on for inciting a domestic terrorist attack on our constitutional democracy. Then when that is done, please include Ted Cruz and the balance of republican law makers who supported you. They are all complacent in making a portion of the American public (who don’t think for themselves) responsible for the attack on our Nations Capital.
What amazes me is that 75 million people who were so miss-guided by false statements about the future governance of our Country, that they were willing to cast their vote for an incompetent, inconsiderate, self-centered narcissist as our President. I want to believe they voted more for the republican values of governance and not for Donald Trump himself. We will see where the party goes from here. Maybe it’s time for them to change the rules of their game!
Spot on!!!