LeBron James said that, "We live in two Americas and yesterday was a prime example of it." He stated that if one could not see that, then one needed to take some steps backwards in order, I guess, to gain what he feels is a proper perspective. Yes and no, but let's examine further.
Most of the mob were Trump people. Most were White, most carrying flags of yellow and flags trumpeting Trump. (Sorry for pun.) Some American flags were here and there, but as with all the flags and pennants, they were there mostly for the weapons they were, used as spears pointing at guards and security officials or used to crash through windows, and then do further damage inside. I did not see that Black people there were singled out for violence, though perhaps that would have been difficult to do in such a scene.
A serious question and/or statement here is that if it were a mostly Black or anti Trump rebellion, how would the rebels, the insurrectionists have been treated? Would they have been let through so peacefully as they streamed through the doors as if on a tour? Would the doors that had been locked been opened to allow more in, as that happened? Would the desecration and the vandalism that took place have been tolerated or would it rather have caused a more violent and immediate response on the part of security. In fact, what was with security and why was it so pitifully, perhaps criminally and purposely, kept so low and inadequate with their response soooo sloooow?
I think that, perhaps, based on previous protest marches - not rebellions - there was definitely more violence and physical confrontation with security personnel here. That was not the same here until somewhat later and even then it did not match that of the protest marches even though this was an open attempt to overthrow this nation's government, a coup attempt on par with a banana republic Third World country and shame on us. Shame on our reaction to it. Shame on us that it took this literally existential threat, the open culpability of the presumed leader of this country, sworn to protect us from enemies within and without, for people to finally react.
How did they react? Well, let's see. Upon reading reports, it appears that the Republicans were the first to shove and push their way out of harm's way as THEIR people swarmed in. Their people who followed the path lit for them by these cowards, with their words, their endorsement of a demented man, their slavish obedience to him, their indecent attempt to retain power, money, position and rescind any forward movements we had made prior to Trump taking office. It appeared that the brains and independent thinking capacity, the moral standards of the GOP, had all but disappeared, down the drain into the sewers, followed by the madness of their behavior. Their words led to this. Their actions led to this. Their support and enablement of Trump led to this. Their lies and shredding of truth led to this. And they still refused to acknowledge that, using mealy mouthed excuses and even returning , once they were safe, to the same old vicious, misleading and inciting canards.
So would it have been different if the mob were Black Lives Matter or allies of them? I think yes, but that is not the point that needs to be made. The point is that we have devolved into such an America and the two Americas are really the one of mostly fair play, of people trying to do the right thing, to move forward, making progress, and this America of the past five years, including the year of campaigning when his dementia and lack of moral standards were out there plain as day, bright as the sun. And threatening as a Hurricane Category 5.
We need to meld our people back into one America. An America where the President is not the Supreme Traitor. An America where fair play is once again respected and people attempt to keep to it, to strive for it, to correct errors and to do so in a lawful manner. It is an America where loyalty is to the Country rather than to a man in a cult like situation. An America that is not in danger from within, from those within who allow, encourage and even invite in the enemies from without.
It is an America where the rats are recognized as such even as they now flee, - too little too late, too meaningless, too useless, - the ship upon which they rode via their own free will and choosing. Impeach or 25th Amendment? Should have been done on day one and in fact, there never should have been a day one for him and his ilk. This is what their day one has led to, an inevitable breakdown of law and order, of true patriotism and instead we had a mob of violent zombies, doing as instructed, then turning back, shutting down, upon word to do so from their leader. How awful an event. How totally unthinkable. And yet, here we are.
Just muzzle the man, dope him up and let the rest of the administration keep an even hand on the till and avoid any more threats of disaster to this country they have so damaged, so sabotaged. Those leaving - now! - good riddance to bad rubbish for this is so hypocritical. You all knew the truth of the matter, but refused to admit his nakedness, perpetrating ruin and havoc, divisiveness on the country. Perhaps to the point of no return.
I so long for that America where I can once again pledge my allegiance, sing the anthem with feeling, know that this IS my America once more, that we have at least made some strides on the road back to sanity. That this is the America that can leave behind the attention getting and demanding toddler and his incompetent caretakers and return to an America which focuses of what is necessary. Beat the pandemic. Work to avoid such another. Fix the shattered and tattered economy. Get food back on the tables of Americans, the kids back in school, secure roofs over their heads, their parents and adults back at work, hope in the hearts and goodness in the soul.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under G-d, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
My America. Your America. Our America. One America. We move forward, Mr. James, much better than taking steps backwards. We have gone backwards enough. Time to return to forward movement. To America.
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