This is going to be my shortest Diary ever. Huzzah... I found some letters to the editor in a Canadian publication, and they reminded me of how I felt that day. I hope it does the same for you. You cannot just “get past it already...”
As fewer and fewer arrests are being made and thus far the GOP have not only not taken blame, or even blamed tRUMP, they have encouraged the BIG LIE that instigated it and still foist the blame on Antifa and Dems and voters. It is unconscionable. Do not let them rewrite history.
Degraded by Trump
Is there no limit to the atrocities that the Republicans will permit Donald Trump to foist upon the American people?
His whole presidency has been a complete sham. An individual devoid of any moral compass, without the required intelligence or political experience, was surreptitiously installed to the highest office in the land by people whose only motive was control.
Right or wrong did not enter the equation, and after four years of deceit, corruption and turmoil, the world continues to witness the most disgraceful degradation of the nation that once was a beacon of light — the shining example of truth, justice and freedom for all to aspire to.
The question now is: Where do we go from here?
Greg Murphy, Halifax
Rebels without a cause
The word “bizarre” came to mind many times as I watched the shenanigans in the U.S. on Wednesday.
The confluence of social media, and the ease with which users can use it to organize, mobilize, and spread disinformation and conspiracy theories, plus a gullible, naïve faction of American society led to the crazy events in Washington.
Add to this mix a mind-numbing popular culture and a president whose character and behaviour belongs more in an episode of The Simpsons than in the White House.
Storming government buildings has a long history. In most cases, the “peasants” had legitimate grievances over which to protest, such as issues of hunger and wretched, squalid living conditions. The world often sympathized with them.
Only in America would the protesters include mostly white “well-fed” grandpas, MAGA-hat-wearing teenagers skipping school, suburban moms bored of their celebrity talk shows and “weekend warriors” tired of their mundane lives and looking for some fun.
This siege included protesters taking selfies on the Washington Mall, sight-seeing in the halls of Congress, and calmly enjoying the artwork in the Capitol rotunda. And yes, by dinnertime, the protesters got hungry and tired, and calmly left so as not to miss happy hour.
Only in America.
Don Dougherty, Halifax
Watch and learn
We should all be so fortunate as to learn a lesson from the events unfolding in our lives. The lesson this week should be about the fragility of democracy.
As demonstrated by our neighbours to the south, we are all but one poor choice away from descent into pure chaos.
The poor, simple folk who followed their Orange Idol the past four years were programmed into this moment. They blindly followed their false prophet to do his bidding.
Americans calling themselves patriots stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop democracy and stage a coup. In most countries, including America, that is known as treason, which is a crime punishable by death.
This, too, shall pass and be recorded in the annals of history as another misguided moment. But just remember: if you don’t vote, if you don’t care, if you don’t think politics matter, then look to America to see what can happen when you take democracy for granted.
They are breathtakingly close to a total collapse of democracy and we are watching it crash and burn, thinking it can’t happen to us here in Canada. Pay attention and learn from their mistakes.
Colin Castle, Mosherville
This last one rings with the most truth… and adds a problem that MUST be solved. A plethora of Q quislings are running for local offices and they may win… I truly hope you understand what that means for America. Also, If you have not read the info in the picture I added, I do hope you will now…
Disconnected from reality
I am concerned that, as a part of the rightful condemnation of the horribly undemocratic, seditious acts at the Capitol Building, a narrative is building, both implied and stated, that the rioters were trying to subvert democracy.
Though it’s clearly true that an attack on democracy occurred, I think it needs to be made plain that this is not what, by and large, the rioters were trying to do. From their point of view, they were trying to protect democracy.
The problem is that they don’t exist in a world of reality. It is extremely important to understand this distinction or we will not take the correct steps to address this problem. Canada is also rife with conspiracy theorists and people who are convinced by them, and unless we take this lesson and urgently address this problem, our lack of a shared reality promises a bleak future.
Brett Hodnett, Gatineau, Que.
Bonus “Did you know” for anyone sticking around …
Conservative “health and freedom” conference this weekend includes a Capitol riot defendant awaiting trial for pushing past police to get into the building. She’s a “featured speaker” along with Flynn, Powell and other election conspiracy theorists.
FYI: Capitol rioter Dr. Simone Gold — and her grifting group ‘America's Frontline Doctors’ who are politically motivated by CNP and the TeaParty and TPUSA — and her sidekick MAGA “influencer” who also was with her inside the Capitol, Brandon Straka, got PPP money meant for struggling small businesses. (So did Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola - The guy who may have sprayed Brian Sicknick with bear repellent, as well as at least 6 others)
Here are the guest speakers at the Conservative “health and freedom” conference this weekend… —>
Sedition: Revolting or inciting revolt against government. However, because of the broad protection of free speech under the FIRST AMENDMENT, prosecutions for sedition are rare.
Nevertheless, sedition remains a crime in the United States under 18 U.S.C.A. § 2384 (2000), a federal statute that punishes seditious conspiracy, and 18 U.S.C.A. § 2385 (2000), which outlaws advocating the overthrow of the federal government by force. Generally, a person may be punished for sedition only when he or she makes statements that create a clear and present danger to rights that the government may lawfully protect (schenck v. united states, 249 U.S. 47, 39 S. Ct. 247, 63 L. Ed. 470 [1919]).
Seditious conspiracy: The crime of seditious conspiracy is committed when two or more persons in any state or U.S. territory conspire to levy war against the U.S. government. A person commits the crime of advocating the violent overthrow of the federal government when she willfully advocates or teaches the overthrow of the government by force, publishes material that advocates the overthrow of the government by force, or organizes persons to overthrow the government by force. A person found guilty of seditious conspiracy or advocating the overthrow of the government may be fined and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. States also maintain laws that punish similar advocacy and conspiracy against the state government.
You might want to send that to your reps to remind them…
I scheduled this for Sunday morning, and that’s the day I get to see my son every 2 weeks, so I won’t be here to agree with, recommend, dunk on or referee in the comments. Try to be nice to each other and at least be constructive if you can’t!
Please pass on this important information on your social media timelines
FBI insurrectionist wanted list is HERE. PASS IT ON!
The DOJ list of insurrectionists is HERE
All electronic tips are being routed to HERE.
If you have photo or video images to share depicting rioting and violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, please note that in the electronic tip form.
Please include in your tips as much information as possible, such as the name of the person, contact information—including where that person may live—the number associated with the individual if seen on one of the Seeking Information posters, and any other identifying information.
The FBI has added: Our goal is to preserve the public’s constitutional right to protest by protecting everyone from violence and other criminal activity.