Pick a Side
Yesterday, the first year anniversary of the domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol was marked with simple, somber moments of silence, prayer and testimonials by members of Congress. The Republicans were noticeably absent.
It’s a tradition in Congress for both parties to stand in solidarity whenever the country is in crisis, but for the first time in modern history one party was absent. They didn’t participate because the crisis that was being commemorated was a fascist exercise conducted by them. Republicans are terrorists.
President Biden began the day by addressing the nation from inside the Capitol in Statuary Hall, the very site where the attack took place one year ago. He didn’t mince words. Without mentioning Trump by name, he called him out for causing the attack and watching it all on TV and not doing anything to stop it. He said Trump LOST but couldn’t accept it. “He’s not just a former president, he’s a defeated former president.” He called out every lie Republicans and Fox News have told in the name of profit and power to white wash what happened in order to rewrite history. He told the country not to bury the truth or the past, but face up to it. He reminded Americans that more people voted than in any other election in history, and during a deadly pandemic. The people spoke and Trump and the Republicans tried to reject the will of the people by trying to unlawfully hold on to power. “The former president who lies about this election and the mob that attacked this Capitol could not be further away from the core American values. They want to rule or they will ruin.”
President Biden reminded the country that we’re in the battle of the soul of the nation.
He said, “One year ago today, in this sacred place, democracy was attacked. For the first time in our history, a president had not just lost an election, he tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power as a violent mob breached the Capitol. But they failed.”
“I did not seek this fight brought to this Capitol one year ago today, but I will not shrink from it either. I will stand in this breach. I will defend this nation, and allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of democracy.”
“You can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t obey the law only when it’s convenient. You can’t be patriotic when you embrace and enable lies……Those who stormed this Capitol…and those who called on them to do so held a dagger at the throat of America.”
Half of the country appreciated and understood the significance of the day. The other half did not. Republican leadership boycotted the historical moment. Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy were no-shows. The only Republican who showed up was Liz Cheney and she brought her dad, Dick Cheney, who is an old man now and disgusted with what has become of the Republican party. Right wing media didn’t cover the anniversary of the attack on democracy. Their audience and those who are indifferent to politics don’t care. Unlike what happened after 9/11, there is no common understanding of purpose among Americans. We aren’t together. On 9/11 George Bush had Democrats and Republicans and the whole country standing behind him. Today the Democrats stand alone.
Fox made fun of the Democrats for paying respects to what happened to our Capitol and police officers. They and the Republicans accused Biden and the Democrats of “politicizing” the attack.
Ron DeSantis called it “Christmas” for reporters and said the whole thing nauseated him.
Mitch McConnell said the Democrats were taking advantage of the one year anniversary to exploit the event for partisan advantage. He’s afraid of more Democrats voting. On January 5 he tweeted: No party that would break the Senate can be trusted to seize unprecedented control over all 50 states’ election laws. The fact that many Democrats are this desperate for a one-party takeover of our democracy proves exactly why they cannot be allowed to do it.
There are three main take aways from the first year anniversary of the attack on democracy — 1) America’s fate is perilous right now — democracy held but it may not the next time, 2) voting rights are the most important issue of our time, and 3) the attack is not over.
We’re at a moment in history much like the time before the Civil War. The country is divided. One side is hell bent on preserving white supremacy and the other side wants a more equal, perfect union.
Just like with the Civil War, everybody will need to pick a side.
PICK A SIDE!
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