The Life in My Years

I was ready to publish a light post to start the New Year. An attempted coup in America has compelled a more serious post.

Today started out as a civics lesson; both houses of Congress convene and officially count the Electoral College ballots, a ceremonial final act in America’s drawn out electoral play. In normal times a simple governmental ritual. But we all know how that normalcy thing has played out lately.

Just as the civics lesson on ceremony was beginning, the votes of only Alabama and Alaska having been counted and those of Arizona challenged, the lesson on ceremony turned to one on insurrection.

The Capital of the United States of America was stormed by Trump supporters, protesting the outcome of an election that was held over two months ago, upheld by the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice and sixty times in various courts.

By the time this post is read, the events of the day will be well known so there’s no point in a review here.

The sentiments expressed by pundits today have run the spectrum; “surreal,” “unbelievable,” “appalling,” “thought I would never see this in America.”

“Thought I would never see this in America.”  I watched the mayhem unfold; the overwhelming of police by a mob, forced entry into the Capital, the subsequent trashing of the chambers, and legislators trapped in the gallery.  That notion, “Thought I would never see this in America,” came to me blindingly.

That said, I’m not surprised. Four years and 14 days ago when Donald Trump was inaugurated I knew that it would be an ugly ride, wondered how much damage Trump would do, wondered if the nation could survive four years under a self-absorbed, ill prepared, petulant con man.

“Never thought I’d see this?” That’s the least of it. I’m stunned. I’m shaken. I’m saddened.

I saw things today that, yes, I never thought I’d see.

Capital law enforcement agents, with guns pointed at a blockaded door as insurrectionists tried to force their way in

Two insurrectionists in the Capital Building; one holding a Trump flag, the other a Confederate flag – two loser flags, side by side.

Insurrectionists breaking windows and climbing into the Capital Building.

Members of Congress hunkered down, trapped in the congressional gallery.

Traitors sitting at the desk of the Speaker of the House and the dais where Vice President had been standing.

Most of all, I am angry – fucking angry. I am shaking with rage.
I want to pound on the door of the Trump supporter down the street and scream at her, “Are you happy now? Is this the “greatness” that you were promised and voted for?” Are you down with insurrection?”

I’m furious with Trump who stood in front of the White House and poured gasoline on a smoldering fire, exhorting protesters to march to the Capital, even telling them he’d go with them. Little chance of that. In the end Trump is like all bullies. Full of bluster but a coward at heart. After he sent the mob on his mission he headed back to the comfort of the West Wing.

I’m angry at Trump supporting relatives and whatever Trump supporting friends I have left.

But most of all I’m angry at the Trump supporters that have infected our halls of government during the past four years. The former cabinet members and staff members who enabled Trump and made excuses for Trump and only after quitting or getting tossed aside by Trump had the guts to speak out. Mattis? Kelly? Former soldiers, who took an oath to defend the country and Constitution should have had the courage to speak out when they were still in the administration.

I’m angry with the Jim Jordans, the Matt Gaetzs, Kevin McCarthys and all the others who not only backed a compulsive, dangerous liar but repeated the lies and for four years have stacked the kindling that on January 6th, 2021, Trump finally set alight.

I’m disgusted with Susan Collins, who countless times talked a good game about bravely opposing some of Trump’s bullshit only to fall in line with the despot when push came to shove. She even said that Trump had “learned his lesson.”  I can’t suffer fools like Susan Collins.

Disgusted with Lindsay Graham, who in May of 2016 tweeted, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it.” Well, they nominated Trump, backed him, enabled him, excused him and now they are being destroyed and they bloody goddamned well deserve it.

I’m livid with Ted Cruz, the man whose father Trump accused of being complicit in the JFK assassination, the man whose wife was called ugly by Trump. The man who after these infamies rolled over to become one of Trump’s chief bootlickers. This knave, a shadow of a man, who strokes his beard and tries to look statesmanlike while he tears down our democracy so that he can win Trump’s favor four years from now.

Over it with Josh Hawley, another of the electoral college challengers who has his eyes on higher office.

I’m outraged at all of these knaves, traitors and fools who thought that they could play the long game with Donald J. Trump.

Play the long game with Donald Trump? What an absurdity. You don’t play the long game with someone who uses people until he has no further need for them. Hawley and Cruz had eyes on the presidency. Their ridiculous challenge to the electoral count and the ensuing chaos has, hopefully anyway, completely trashed their political careers. I wonder how they felt seeing their political careers being destroyed along with the destruction of the Capital and our democracy.

So now what? The news comes in so quickly that it’s hard to keep track.

As of this writing – 7 P.M. eastern time, the electoral count will resume.

Trump’s Twitter feed has been suspended for 12 hours.

It would be unbelievable if Cruz and Hawley and McCarthy continue with their challenge. It’s believable that Trump is yes, egging these seditionists on to continue the challenge.

Rep. Ilhan Omar is going to work on Articles of Impeachment.

Talk in high places is circulating about the 25th Amendment being invoked. A fat chance since it requires action by the President’s Cabinet which has been stocked with lackeys and sycophants.

Melania Trump’s Chief of Staff has submitted her resignation in protest over the riots.

With Trump becoming more and more unglued by the minute, Mike Pence has had to take charge.

Condemnation is coming in from all sides. One of the most passionate has been Mitt Romney, one of the few Republican Senators with testicular fortitude. As the chaos ensued Romney was heard yelling at his GOP colleagues, “This is what you’ve gotten, guys.”

As I close this, we’re moments away from the resumption of the electoral count. As Samuel L. Jackson famously said in Jurassic Park, “Hold onto your butts.”

I’ll leave this with a statement by Senator Romney. “What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States. Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. They will be remembered for their role in this shameful episode in American history. That will be their legacy.”