Does no one else find the descriptions of the D.C. “insurrection” odd? Insurrections are meant to topple governments and take power, but if that’s your intent, why would you leave your weapons home? Either this was the most pathetic insurrection ever, or it simply wasn’t one.
I didn’t see any “down with the U.S.” signs. All I saw were things like “stop the steal.” That suggests that these people were reacting to what they perceived as an illegal action. They evidently were interested in protecting the country, not overturning it.
As riots go, this one was pretty tame. In Minneapolis, entire city blocks were burned. In Portland, people were hunted and killed. In Seattle, federal facilities were besieged for days and municipal facilities were swarmed and destroyed. In D.C., a few windows were broken, but there was no serious effort to cause damage or to harm anyone. Most of the “dead” were by natural causes (and suicide?)! Again, either this was the most pathetic riot, or it wasn’t one.
I’ve heard that Trump encouraged this “insurrection,” and that has been dutifully repeated by the empty barrels among the Greenfield letter writers. It’s actually impressive thought manipulation that an entire segment of the population embraced “insurrection” as their theme within days of the word’s first appearance. But, if Trump were “inciting insurrection,” does it make sense to tell his followers to peacefully protest at the capitol? Either that was the most pathetic call to insurrection, or it wasn’t one.
Some blame Trump anyway, but who was really more responsible for a mob becoming violent: the person who told them to be peaceful, or the politicians and media who, for the entire summer, were saying that violent protest was acceptable behavior?
So why the extreme reaction to what was simply a rowdy crowd of protestors going too far? When protestors burned down private businesses in the summer, there was no rush to identify, shame and punish the perpetrators. Minneapolis even billed the owners for razing their destroyed stores!
U.S. homicides this past summer rose over 50% compared to 2019, but instead of focusing on protecting future civilian victims, we’ve deployed the full force of the law to find and punish a horned vegan shaman and some fool who had the temerity to take a selfie sitting in Pelosi’s chair. Doesn’t anyone else find the “insurrectionists” more theatrical than threatening?
This removes any logical or legal basis for Trump’s impeachment, but, like the first effort, this is a case of “we’ve decided the punishment, now we just have to find a crime.” Coverage of the impeachment doesn’t even pretend to focus on its legal basis, but only on counting the votes and naming dissenters. None of this is about justice or law. It’s about power. Those who lust for it will do all they can to grab and hold it. Words are adjusted and re-defined to serve that purpose. Reality itself is re-configured to serve ambition.
It’s so transparent that it’s become sadly amusing. The narrative was that Trump was an authoritarian — bad! Biden’s first action is to sign executive orders, completely bypassing the legislative process, unilaterally dictating law — good! Trump was brutal, sending the National Guard into D.C. streets – bad! Biden deploys the National Guard to D.C. for the foreseeable future – good!
Trump had no regard for the safety of others and wouldn’t wear a mask in public – bad! Biden “celebrates” at the Lincoln memorial without a mask – he has “more important things to worry about.” Trump enacts travel ban – racist! Biden enacts travel ban – prudent! Trump wants to reopen economy — he puts profits before people! Biden wants to reopen economy – the country needs it!
Nope, no media bias to see here, folks. The AP says so. Just move along.
Now, they push to prevent Trump from holding office. The way to defeat your political opponent had been to field a better candidate, not simply ban the other guy from running. But that assumes people are able to think for themselves and free to choose their leaders. So which of those are the people trying to impeach Trump trying to prevent?
Trump always had it right: “they don’t hate me, they hate you.” With the current push to compile politically-aligned “domestic terrorist” lists,” to fund programs to “re-educate” Trump supporters, and the open conspiracy to prevent any Trump sympathizer from ever holding a position of influence, it becomes clear that there is no intention of allowing people to actually choose their leaders.
John Blasiak is a resident of Greenfield. Responses are welcome, and always answered, at henrycarlyle@outlook.com