Dear Friends and Family,
What a year this week has been, amirite?
I’ve only been glued to the news five times in the past 20 years:
- Sept. 11, 2001 (Al-Qaeda attacks)
- Aug. 29, 2005 (Hurricane Katrina)
- Nov. 1, 2016 (Clinton vs. Trump)
- Nov. 3, 2020 (Biden vs. Trump)
- Jan. 6, 2021 (Capitol riot)
Here are five things that struck me from No. 5:
- Shocking lack of police presence. At the BLM protests this summer, you couldn’t swing a cat without hitting someone in law enforcement. Meanwhile, at the Capitol, folks were just waltzing around taking selfies with the one police officer who seemed to be inside. True story.
- “Blue Lives Matter” selectively. One of the D.C. police officers at the Capitol riot was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher. Horrifying and also true.
- Rioters escorted out without being arrested. Again, this is very different from some of the BLM protests where people NOT BEING VIOLENT IN ANY WAY were arrested. Even new Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock was arrested inside the Capitol in 2017 for praying. FOR PRAYING. But breaking windows and walking around with a lectern? Go right ahead.
- People *cough Brit Hume cough* desperately trying to blame Antifa for damage. Look. Listen. The “shaman” wants his credit due.
- How the riot has divided Republicans. I have a number of friends who are relatively sane conservatives. They and I want the same things but have different ideas on policies and processes we need to get there. Then there are Trumpers. Guess which ones LOVED the insurrection. It should come as no surprise that the fellow who punched me in the stomach in sixth grade is part of the latter group. Why are we “friends” on Facebook? Good question.
Who wants to tell my sixth-grade bully that there is a big difference between yelling at someone on an elevator and STORMING THE CAPITOL AND DAMAGING PROPERTY? Also, the dude was arrested, so yes he is wrong.
I have more thoughts, but I lack the energy to formulate the words. Plus, other people beat me to it.
It’s really not funny, though. People died. An important Federal building was trashed. National security was compromised.
As Americans, we have the right to have a peaceful Airing of Grievances on days other than Festivus. We do not have the right to destroy things and hurt/kill people. Those who do that need to experience consequences of their actions besides just being fired. Ten years for damaging government property (ironically, a Trump executive order) is a good place to start.
These folks couldn’t even wear masks while COMMITTING CRIMES. I hope they won’t be surprised when they get the ‘Rona. And you know they will.
2021 has to get better, right? Right?!
Sigh.
Hoping for the best,
Beth
Observe and report 
2020/2021 just our arbitrary designation of a “new” time. So much about this is inexplicable.
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Most inexplicable is that anyone was surprised but I honestly think some people who shouldn’t have been WERE surprised. And that A-hole got by with inciting insurrection because he’s (allegedly) the president. But, IMO, a president should love this country.
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I really don’t understand how anyone could be surprised. It was heading this way from even before he was elected!
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Yep.
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It’s like I’m watching a movie I have no interest in but is required for a class.
Not shocked by the incompetence of security officials and agencies. Wouldn’t be surprised if their judgment was compromised because several are sympathizers.
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Absolutely!
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For the folks not wearing masks – which were most- then I guess they are expecting a Covid rapture to take place later on down the road…….while they’re in jail for 10 years.
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I look at it as Darwinism.
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