General Discussion
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One can make a strong case that we are experiencing a dark era in American history. There are the seemingly nonstop mass-shootings. There is the organized republican effort to bring us back into the dark ages by overturning Roe. And this evening, we will see the January 6 Committee reporting on the insurrection.
We are all aware of this darkness. We know that many are actively engaged in efforts to prevent the light of truth from illuminating the nature of the darkness. The vast majority of republicans in DC want to avoid discussing the insurrection. Fox News will not be carrying the Committee's hearing tonight.
This is directly connected to the fact that when you or I venture out into public, perhaps visiting a grocery store, we know that a certain percentage of those we encounter exist in that darkness, both without and within. They are the dark holes that are playing a significant role in sucking the life-light out of democracy.
There are other types of darkness we must be aware of. These are the nay-sayers, the stick-in-the-mud mentalities that say the needed changes -- including necessary legal charges -- will never happen. They note things like the Committee and DOJ as identifying the Proud Boys as "key instigators" of the violence on January 6, and pretend this translates to the "only key instigators," as if we should forget everything we saw coming from the White House from the November election to Trump's speech to the crowd on January . And everything that we have learned since, including from the Committee and DOJ.
This doesn't mean we will not have moments of doubt. That includes doubt about if tonight's televised hearing will help. Doubt about if the DOJ will charge those in the Trump cult who were connected to the Proud Boys, even though there were connections, with Peter Navarro having spoken of the coordinated Green Bay Sweep and the republicans in the House and Senate supporting it. Doubts about if the Attorney General determines if there is enough evidence to prosecute Trump successfully, and doubts about if even that would result in Trump being indicted.
We must still do our part. When the DOJ shines a light by indicting Navarro, we know it is a good thing. When the Committee shines its bright light on the roots of the insurrection, it is a good thing. For that is their part. Our part is to respond. To light up the darkness like thousands of fireflies on a June night.
How do we do that? Clearly, it will be fun to participate in discussions here for the next 24 hours. There are good and intelligent people here who will give insights on the most significant parts of tonight's hearing. But, as citizens, we have the responsibility to do more. Amendment 1 includes the phrase "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Petitioning government can, obviously, include getting people to sign a letter, on paper or on the internet, and sending it to an individual or group in one of the three branches of government. But everyone knows these petitions carry the least weight or influence among the various ways of redressing grievances and concerns." A petition with a thousand signatures is far less powerful than a thousand phone calls, letters, or e-mails. Thus, it is better to concentrate on providing light by those individual contacts.
Recently, I posted contact information for the DOJ:
https://www.justice.gov/contact-us
https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice
I suggested that forum members contact the DOJ on Friday, to do one of two things: either to express confidence in what you assume is their current approach based upon what indictments have already been handed down, or to express your thoughts about the need to iindict those beyond the members of the crowd on January 6, including those in the White House.
As anticipated, some did not respond seriously, and one response expressed the person's strong disagreement with me. And that's fine. But others responded in a more positive light. And that's what we need. I'm reminded of a few years back, when my cousin and his son were shot in a road rage incident. The drunk, off-duty law enforcement officer killed the son, and seriously injured my cousin. There came a time in thr pre-trial period where DU community members contacted the District Attorney and the judge's offices, expressing their opinions on the case. It turned out to be by far the largest number of American citizens to make such contacts in the county's history. That is Amendment 1 in action.
Amendment 1 is not in action when people take the bump-on-a-log inaction. The "it won't matter" approach that only adds to the danger of the darkness. For only the mentally dead could watch tonight's hearing and fail to recognize that the Committee is shining a bright light upon a threat to our country that remains extremely dangerous. Don't go quietly into the dark night. Light it up.
Easterncedar
(2,124 posts)I am always heartened by your steadfast example.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)I am really looking forward to tonight's hearing! Hope to see you here!
Easterncedar
(2,124 posts)H2O Man
(73,333 posts)Easterncedar
(2,124 posts)Riveting and deeply disturbing
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)I expect the next one will bring us deeper. I'm really impressed.
CrispyQ
(36,231 posts)We will be contacting the DOJ on Friday.
I appreciate that!
spanone
(135,636 posts)Will be offering my opinion.
K&R
I will be, too! Probably tomorrow morning, as I love the smell of Amendment 1 in the morning.
Perfect.
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)Kid Berwyn
(14,651 posts)Gonna make a phone calls! Mr. Garland, hate to bug you did you viddy that thing?
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)a friend about the fireflies yesterday. He saw a couple the night before. I've been seeing them here -- a few miles from him -- since the end of May. Though they usually start their show in late June, it is that unusual for them to light up the sky at different times depending upon weather conditions here in rural upstate New York. They are one of my favorite things in life!
Look forward to talking with you about tonight's show!
Easterncedar
(2,124 posts)Magic, every wink
malaise
(267,824 posts)Important
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)Not long now until the show starts!
Hekate
(90,202 posts)H2O Man
(73,333 posts)After last night, I hope people are motivated!
Novara
(5,754 posts)Thanks for putting it here. I will be contacting them, but after the evidence has been presented.
It is up to us to help save our democracy and make sure this shit never happens again. No, we are not the DOJ, but none of us can sit back and let our country slip through our hands without fighting for it. There are far more of us than there are of them.
Think of Officer Caroline Edwards, who was knocked unconscious, and when she came to, she rejoined the fight and kept fighting for HOURS. With a head injury. I expect nothing less from the rest of us.
I've been posting it on other forums, as well. Certainly there are advantages to posting it at the end of the Committee's televised hearings. I am curious about the republicans who asked Trump for pardons -- they should all be investigated by the DOJ.
Pinback
(12,134 posts)Thanks, good post. I appreciate your perspective.
I too love fireflies, although here in the Southeast we call them lightning bugs. Sitting on the front porch at sundown and seeing the occasional one drifting near the ground is one of the loveliest gifts of this season (and an encouraging sign that most of my neighbors have stopped spraying for mosquitoes).
H2O Man
(73,333 posts)We call them by both names. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is walk up through the fields to the top of the mountain I live on, and watches acres and acres of them!