Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Day of Rage, a Day of Shame
Townhall.com ^ | January 7, 2021 | Mark Davis

Posted on 01/07/2021 4:18:46 AM PST by Kaslin

The prospects for drama were hanging thick in the cold Washington air Wednesday morning, as a large crowd gathered to show solidarity with President Trump and those members of the House and Senate who were preparing to object to the acceptance of electoral votes in an election they viewed as illegitimate.

As rare as the circumstances were, an air of predictability had set in. Trump would fire up the crowd, which would then march to the Capitol. Inside, both chambers would hear the objections, which would prevail in neither chamber. The election of Joe Biden would be settled, however controversially, but at least there would have been a final therapeutic moment for the Republicans with constitutional and procedural concerns, and the millions of Americans who agree with them.

That’s the way it was supposed to go.

But as the House and Senate weighed the first protested state, a portion of the approaching crowd went rogue, peeling away from what would have otherwise been an inspiring portrait of Americans gathered at an iconic site to make a stand. From civil rights protests to anti-nuclear rallies to pro-life marches, large crowds have been a familiar sight in Washington whenever there is a grand political point to be made. The point of this

The waning days of the Trump administration will now be forever stained by the misdeeds of supporters for whom the constitutional challenge was not enough. “This is the people’s house!” proclaimed some, as if their indignation entitled them to wander its halls at will.

There are too many catastrophes to address as a result. Foremost, the very image of our Capitol overrun by violent insurgents is something we should have been able to safely say we would never see. A worthy protest process that struggled for validity against hostile opponents was dashed against the rocks, never again to see the light of day. And a political and media culture that had yawned as America’s cities burned was gifted with plentiful fuel to ignite a suddenly aggrieved blame game that extended far beyond the offenders, to the entire crowd, to the representatives who challenged the election, to the President himself.

Never let a good riot go to waste, one could say.

To be clear: this was a riot. It was domestic terrorism. And it was met with instant condemnation from conservatives at every level. But as the news coverage dragged toward evening and the crowds dispersed, TV analysis made clear that was not enough. The media narrative was gorged with the charge that Trump’s sharp words at the White House were a directive to storm the halls of the Capitol. There would be no rest until segment guests could be badgered into blaming Trump for the actions of his most unhinged supporters.

But scapegoating is not the most pressing matter of this moment. Two moral imperatives are staring us down: the essential process toward consequences for those who have defiled the corridors of our democracy, and the necessity of addressing the provocation that inflamed them in the first place.

The indefensible behavior of the rioters does not erase the righteous grievance of millions of Americans who have lost faith in an election system cast to the winds of political opportunism. Democrats launched an end run around state legislatures, the only proper setting for changes in election law. The misadventures of governors, state courts and secretaries of state constituted a wholly improper basis for election procedures in enough states to call the electoral total into question.

President Trump is entitled to his anger. His voters are entitled to theirs. Members of the House and Senate are entitled to their constitutionally established avenues of objection.

But no one gets to do what happened Wednesday. And no one should defend it or even attempt to excuse it under some guise of “Hey, this is what you get when people get really mad,” which was sadly the thrust of a Trump tweet as evening fell.

As the sun rises on the day after, we are left to weigh many lessons. Some will involve the unpreparedness and actions of a law enforcement contingent that was overcome with shocking ease. Some will involve the political cost to an administration that had much to boast about, whose achievements are at least for now shrouded by mob violence.

But the most important lessons will feature our ability to address our national crises with honesty, goodwill and good faith. After the tear gas smoke clears, we still have an election held in contempt by millions. We have rioters to punish, but we still have a system to fix.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: electoralchallence
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last
To: OIFVeteran
I hope to never see such a thing again in this great country.

What you're about to see done to this country under the pretense of being legal will make yesterday look like a footnote.

41 posted on 01/07/2021 5:03:20 AM PST by rarestia (Repeal the 17th Amendment and ratify Article the First to give the power back to the people!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: central_va

If it wasn’t a false flag operation, then those idiots have handed the Dems and the never Trump repubs a huge political and PR victory.


42 posted on 01/07/2021 5:03:45 AM PST by Daveinyork
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: central_va

Good meme but kinda creepy.


43 posted on 01/07/2021 5:12:13 AM PST by Kevmo (I'm in a slow motion Red Dawn reality TV show. The tree of liberty is thirsty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

Right, the suppression of speech, thought, political ideas that is about to happen will be something to see.

But let’s get pissed that some people went to the capital.
They didn’t destroy anything, burn anything, tag anything, but yeah “shoot them all”, this guys sounds like a TYT supporter.

Of course once this fades away, and the crackdowns begin this guy will go silent, never to be heard from again.


44 posted on 01/07/2021 5:17:56 AM PST by TexasM1A
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Oh the hypocrisy - this “was a riot, domestic terrorism” while all the other, far more violent and destructive incidents were all “mostly peaceful protests”...


45 posted on 01/07/2021 5:19:07 AM PST by trebb (Fight like your life and future depends on it - because they do.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Where was the violence? A few broken doors and windows? was anything burned? They entered a building. Criminal trespass is not violence.


46 posted on 01/07/2021 5:22:57 AM PST by nhbob1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork

What victory are you speaking of??

They rioted.
They got their man and party in power.
They cheated and no one is in jail or under any threat of legal recourse.

Honestly, the Left and Never Trumpers are fresh out of victories if you ask me. They got every damn thing they wanted.

Yesterday’s events did not enhance their unbridled hatred of us or Trump. Because it never stopped. There was talk of Impeaching the President for calling the S.O.S. Of Georgia.

I doubt they can hate us more, and I doubt they will ever leave President Trump alone in peace. No matter what.


47 posted on 01/07/2021 5:25:44 AM PST by David Chase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork

Most of main stream red state Americans cheered on as the protesters marched on the US Capital. Some Freepers don’t get that. I did.
Can you imagine the rage, after your vote was stolen in WI or PA, how happy they were when the Capitol was stormed???


48 posted on 01/07/2021 5:27:57 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Looks like Mark Davis has joined the bed-wetting club. My God, is there anyone in conservative punditry who isn’t a candy-ass?


49 posted on 01/07/2021 5:39:13 AM PST by Bishop_Malachi (Liberal Socialism - A philosophy which advocates spreading a low standard of living equally.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OIFVeteran

A big hearty FU to you and your craven opinion. I was there on the ground watching the Capitol police shoot flash bangs grenades and teargas at the patriots poised at the stairs. Every man, woman and child was extremely pissed off about these tactics. I’m glad we showed the sniveling, backstabbing congressmen an inkling of what We the People with righteous rage are capable of.


50 posted on 01/07/2021 5:40:57 AM PST by Scarpetta (I )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: OIFVeteran

Troll alert

Troll, Troll, Troll

The enemy is within our perimeter


51 posted on 01/07/2021 5:43:05 AM PST by bert ( (KE. NP. N.C. +12) America needs oprichnina against the progressive elite oppressors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
There is some integrity to a group who physically express their disagreement with the government compared to the group who surreptitiously undermine the government by stealing elections and depriving the people of their lawful representation.

There is a strong case to be made that if we accept the results of these fraudulent elections, there are going to be more of them.

I don't necessarily agree that storming the capitol is an effective response, but I understand why it happened. And hopefully, in the next few months a more effective plan to challenge those who are overtaking our government will emerge.

In my mind, the ones who are stealing the elections and putting in place officials who would destroy our nation are the real dangerous people. Those calling attention to it are not.

52 posted on 01/07/2021 5:55:20 AM PST by Repealthe17thAmendment
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

The only shame I see is the GOP getting on their knees and kowtowing to the left.


53 posted on 01/07/2021 5:59:32 AM PST by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

My attitude towards government officials who actively participate in and sanction vote fraud is clear cut. It should be a hanging offense. And I mean that literally.

I did not watch yesterday’s events. And I do not intend to.

A pogrom is coming. Do not deceive yourself by thinking that we can protect ourselves with appeals to the courts or appeals to law enforcement and government. This ersatz election has made that pretty clear.


54 posted on 01/07/2021 6:53:00 AM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

The left took over the capital when Kaneaugh was being selected. No left-wing handwringing then.


55 posted on 01/07/2021 6:55:00 AM PST by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Have!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChildOfThe60s
Do not deceive yourself by thinking that we can protect ourselves with appeals to the courts or appeals to law enforcement and government.

That is the seed of violence to settle political grievances. The Dems have unleashed a whirlwind.

56 posted on 01/07/2021 6:55:02 AM PST by dirtboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: OIFVeteran

“ass kissing confederate lover”

Well, you just outed yourself as a liberal Yankee.


57 posted on 01/07/2021 6:55:52 AM PST by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Have!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Anyone recall what “Bastille Day” commemorates???
The victors get to write the history.


58 posted on 01/07/2021 6:56:00 AM PST by Pythion.net
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
by the misdeeds of supporters

The author is flying pretty low and loose there without proper identification of the individuals.

59 posted on 01/07/2021 6:57:51 AM PST by prairiebreeze (Don't be afraid to see what you see. -- Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla

https://twitter.com/moonddng/status/1346924307692318723?s=21

Police let them in.


60 posted on 01/07/2021 6:58:37 AM PST by prairiebreeze (Don't be afraid to see what you see. -- Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson