Pardon me, but I can’t muster much compassion today for my fellow Americans who supported Republicans senatorial candidates in the recent election.
So much for the wisdom of those who voted against Trump but returned the Senate to McConnell & Co as a “check” on incoming President Biden. When I heard that rationale, I nearly became ill, a…
Pardon me, but I can’t muster much compassion today for my fellow Americans who supported Republicans senatorial candidates in the recent election.
So much for the wisdom of those who voted against Trump but returned the Senate to McConnell & Co as a “check” on incoming President Biden. When I heard that rationale, I nearly became ill, as I see the results playing out today, my stomach churns and my heart aches.
Who among us here, at least those from my generation who grew up in the 60s, would have imagined the military as the last line of defense against a President and his political party run amok, standing up to the Commander in Chief and proclaiming in effect - not on our watch!
Our family has a long military tradition, dating back to before the American Revolution, so I have always had a strong measure of respect for those who sacrificed all to protect our liberty. But I have also been wary of the institution and its immense power.
And here we are today. For the first time in my life, I find myself taking comfort in the knowledge that our military will not permit a sitting President to oust his duly-elected successor, and realize just how slippery a slope it is from where we find ourselves today, to accepting if not supporting, the military leadership should it decide the time had come to oust a sitting President.
I do not believe it will happen this time, but I fear we have crossed an ominous threshold.
I agree that we can take comfort in the strong values, integrity and the binding oath to the Constitution in our military. I am most impressed and thankful to each of them and feel safer in this insane time that they are there for us.
Absolutely. I also, USED to wonder, and blame the "Republican Senate enablers".
Now, I'm recognizing that they really do represent the crazy vocal minority who are our neighbors! I am REALLY conflicted, as I am also a "pollyanna". Sigh, It is not yet time for reconciliation, still have a long fight
ahead of us....come to think of it, i suppose it is a fight forever to keep our democracy safe.
Remember, the first word in "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" is truth. First, the perps admit to the truth. Then the parties work toward reconciliation.
Without admitting that truth in public, there can be no reconciliation.
I have recognized for some time that there is a significant number of the minority citizenry who are entitled to representation. But IMO their leaders, Republican Senators et al., still took an oath to the Constitution which to me transcends an individual's right to demand physical harm to anyone who opposes their reality.
They ALL are to blame. With enough blame left over for the silent majority. Hopefully we all haven't woken up too late. HCR is surely to thank for a lot of my awakening! Thank you professor, et al!
I was taught in grade school that the two characteristics that distinguish our democracy are the rock-solid belief in the peaceful transfer of power and the faithfulness of our military to the Constitution rather than to a single president (or other person). It rocks my world that either of these two pillars might be cracked by not just one soulless man but also by an entire political party.
This entire statement is so beautifully written, very nicely done. Repeating a small portion here because these could all be words out of my mouth:
Who among us here, at least those from my generation who grew up in the 60s, would have imagined the military as the last line of defense against a President and his political party run amok, standing up to the Commander in Chief and proclaiming in effect - not on our watch!
For the first time in my life, I find myself taking comfort in the knowledge that our military will not permit a sitting President to oust his duly-elected successor
Pardon me, but I can’t muster much compassion today for my fellow Americans who supported Republicans senatorial candidates in the recent election.
So much for the wisdom of those who voted against Trump but returned the Senate to McConnell & Co as a “check” on incoming President Biden. When I heard that rationale, I nearly became ill, as I see the results playing out today, my stomach churns and my heart aches.
Who among us here, at least those from my generation who grew up in the 60s, would have imagined the military as the last line of defense against a President and his political party run amok, standing up to the Commander in Chief and proclaiming in effect - not on our watch!
Our family has a long military tradition, dating back to before the American Revolution, so I have always had a strong measure of respect for those who sacrificed all to protect our liberty. But I have also been wary of the institution and its immense power.
And here we are today. For the first time in my life, I find myself taking comfort in the knowledge that our military will not permit a sitting President to oust his duly-elected successor, and realize just how slippery a slope it is from where we find ourselves today, to accepting if not supporting, the military leadership should it decide the time had come to oust a sitting President.
I do not believe it will happen this time, but I fear we have crossed an ominous threshold.
I agree that we can take comfort in the strong values, integrity and the binding oath to the Constitution in our military. I am most impressed and thankful to each of them and feel safer in this insane time that they are there for us.
Our congressional representatives swore that same oath. I am disgusted.
Absolutely. I also, USED to wonder, and blame the "Republican Senate enablers".
Now, I'm recognizing that they really do represent the crazy vocal minority who are our neighbors! I am REALLY conflicted, as I am also a "pollyanna". Sigh, It is not yet time for reconciliation, still have a long fight
ahead of us....come to think of it, i suppose it is a fight forever to keep our democracy safe.
Remember, the first word in "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" is truth. First, the perps admit to the truth. Then the parties work toward reconciliation.
Without admitting that truth in public, there can be no reconciliation.
Sigh, thank you. Well put.
I have recognized for some time that there is a significant number of the minority citizenry who are entitled to representation. But IMO their leaders, Republican Senators et al., still took an oath to the Constitution which to me transcends an individual's right to demand physical harm to anyone who opposes their reality.
They ALL are to blame. With enough blame left over for the silent majority. Hopefully we all haven't woken up too late. HCR is surely to thank for a lot of my awakening! Thank you professor, et al!
I don't think we disagree, Lynn!
I was taught in grade school that the two characteristics that distinguish our democracy are the rock-solid belief in the peaceful transfer of power and the faithfulness of our military to the Constitution rather than to a single president (or other person). It rocks my world that either of these two pillars might be cracked by not just one soulless man but also by an entire political party.
This entire statement is so beautifully written, very nicely done. Repeating a small portion here because these could all be words out of my mouth:
Who among us here, at least those from my generation who grew up in the 60s, would have imagined the military as the last line of defense against a President and his political party run amok, standing up to the Commander in Chief and proclaiming in effect - not on our watch!
For the first time in my life, I find myself taking comfort in the knowledge that our military will not permit a sitting President to oust his duly-elected successor
Thank you for your kind words - I'm happy this resonated with you.
seconding Roland--so well said. And yes, who would have believed....... Horrifying where we are now (and may yet be in the future.....
Well said.