Saturday, 9 January, 2021: 6 January 2021
My LJ is not a platform for my political views, not at all, but I have to comment on Wednesday's events.
One minute I was on the phone, talking to my sister, Debbie, as I do everyday. My TV was on, and Chuck Schumer was making some remarks. He finished up, and we were back watching the crowd around the Capitol building. Then, suddenly, the scene changed, and I realized the situation had escalated. "Debbie, we'll talk tomorrow. Something's happening in Washington," and I hung up.
Indeed, something was happening. I'm still trying to understand how it happened, what we do about it, and whether something fundamentally changed in our national view of the rule of law. I fear that however Trump's exit occurs, what he initiated and encouraged isn't over.
I didn't vote for Trump, I never thought -- as some who opposed him did -- that he was capable of rising to the occasion and growing in office. The way he campaigned convinced me that his warped view of the world and his moral corruption made growth impossible. What I didn't foresee was that his elevation to the presidency could unleash and turn loose a darkness in our culture that is more wide-spread than I knew.
Now I understand. I understand and fear that he has made plain the forces that a fascist demagogue can rally and that someone better at inciting and channeling the emotions they excite will do more damage than Trump is capable of directing. FanSee
It has taken me several days to understand why the response to the mob at the Capital was so inept. I did not understand that the Capital police were not under the control of Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, D.C. She has always struck me as competent, both when interviewed and by her actions.
What I found, by going to the Capitol Police website is that they report to Congress, to Congressional staff, and to the staff of the building itself:
Capitol Police Board
Jennifer A. Hemingway, United States Senate Sergeant at Arms (Acting Chairman)
Paul D. Irving, U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms (Member)
J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol (Member)
Yogananda D. Pittman, Acting Chief of Police (Ex-Officio Member)
I should think that one of the first steps taken should be to replace Pittman with a confirmed Chief of Police or confirm him in his position. Before doing either, I'd want to ask the two Sergeants at Arms and Pittman a whole lot of questions.
One minute I was on the phone, talking to my sister, Debbie, as I do everyday. My TV was on, and Chuck Schumer was making some remarks. He finished up, and we were back watching the crowd around the Capitol building. Then, suddenly, the scene changed, and I realized the situation had escalated. "Debbie, we'll talk tomorrow. Something's happening in Washington," and I hung up.
Indeed, something was happening. I'm still trying to understand how it happened, what we do about it, and whether something fundamentally changed in our national view of the rule of law. I fear that however Trump's exit occurs, what he initiated and encouraged isn't over.
I didn't vote for Trump, I never thought -- as some who opposed him did -- that he was capable of rising to the occasion and growing in office. The way he campaigned convinced me that his warped view of the world and his moral corruption made growth impossible. What I didn't foresee was that his elevation to the presidency could unleash and turn loose a darkness in our culture that is more wide-spread than I knew.
Now I understand. I understand and fear that he has made plain the forces that a fascist demagogue can rally and that someone better at inciting and channeling the emotions they excite will do more damage than Trump is capable of directing. FanSee
It has taken me several days to understand why the response to the mob at the Capital was so inept. I did not understand that the Capital police were not under the control of Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, D.C. She has always struck me as competent, both when interviewed and by her actions.
What I found, by going to the Capitol Police website is that they report to Congress, to Congressional staff, and to the staff of the building itself:
Capitol Police Board
Jennifer A. Hemingway, United States Senate Sergeant at Arms (Acting Chairman)
Paul D. Irving, U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms (Member)
J. Brett Blanton, Architect of the Capitol (Member)
Yogananda D. Pittman, Acting Chief of Police (Ex-Officio Member)
I should think that one of the first steps taken should be to replace Pittman with a confirmed Chief of Police or confirm him in his position. Before doing either, I'd want to ask the two Sergeants at Arms and Pittman a whole lot of questions.