A Day that will Live in Infamy

 

A takeover protester sitting in
the VPs chair in the US Senate

I never thought I would be writing about the storming and takeover at the US Capitol this afternoon.

I am not alone in this shock that we experienced today.

It is completely disturbing to everyone.  I was somewhat bewildered as I tried to process what as it was happening.  That bewilderment quickly gave way to outrage.

This staid seat of democracy, where democracy is supposed to work and be a shining example to the world, looked more like a third world country.  Protesters breaking into the Capitol by using chemical irritants on guards, looting, disrupting the Senate and House of Representative proceeding, and taking selfies in the chambers of government is a new and low chapter in the history of this country.  The Speaker of the House, the Vice-President, and members of Congress were rushed out of the building. 

What were the proceedings that were disrupted?  The certification of the Electoral College results of the election of the President of the United States.  This is the biggest single cyclic event in our democracy.  It happened here, not Caracas.  It happened in Yerevan a month ago, it should never have happened here.  I have seen fist fights erupt in the Turkish Parliament.  I am shocked to

There is one person to blame:  the current President of the United States.  Flat out, he incited and encouraged the protestors gathered for a Trump organized rally, March to Save America, in his continued railing against the results of the November.  He caused this.  He did not encourage them to break-in or attack the Capitol.  But, he encouraged them to march on the Capitol.

It amazes me that this fellow cannot give up given that numerous lawsuits were dismissed because of a lack of evidence.  It is clear to me that he is putting his own desire to remain in power over the US Constitution.  He will never concede. 

There is all kinds of buzz on the news networks.  There is talk of invoking the 25^th Amendment to remove him from office.  That would be equally unprecedented.

This personality cult of Trump mystifies me.  How does he garner and keep the zealous support of so many of my fellow citizens?  It is like religious zeal for a false prophet.  It is not that simple, is it?  I am friends with several ardent Trump supporters who I respect and whom I would never accuse of being under the spell of a cult.  I struggle to understand it, but it is what it is.  They have that right in this country.

Here are some random thoughts in no specific order of priority. 

 

·      I heard on the radio today that in 1961 Vice-President Nixon presided over the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College votes in the election Nixon lost to John F. Kennedy.  The same happened in 2001 when Vice-President Al Gore presided over a similar session for the election he lost to George W. Bush in an election that more contestable than this one.

·      Twitter locked Trump’s account for 12 hours for violations of its policies.

·      Nobody is speaking about defunding law enforcement in DC this evening.

·      I was proud to see Vice-President Pence and Senate Majority McConnell put the US Constitution ahead of partisan politics.

·      The last time the US Capital was breached was by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812.

·      Why wasn’t there more security at the Capitol today.  The march on the Capitol was not a big surprise.

·      A talking head on MSNBC said it was a total law enforcement failure and went on to suggest that law enforcement leaders might have been complicit.

·      I dread having to hear the conspiracy that will be floated from every corner and from every nebulous news sources in the coming days and weeks.

·      In the early reporting, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News were closer to being on the same page.  After the Capitol was secured and Congress resumed their work, they are all spinning back to their normal orbits. 

·      As further evidence to this bizarre day, I find myself liking the speeches of both Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsay Graham.

Being an optimist and centrist, I still hope we can learn from this emerge as a better and more unified country.  Let us have different points of views and work to build consensus.   We have been acting more as if we are democracy on a downward slope and that is so distressing.  So, emphasis is on the word hope.