Dear, Dear Joanie,
What a task it is to write to you this week. This country, the United States has reached the brink of a precipice and some have fallen into it.
On Wednesday, January 6, while Congress was meeting in a joint session to certify the electoral college votes, (I mentioned that our voting system is a little complicated), the Capitol Building was attacked by insurrectionists, who breached the walls, knocked down barriers, charged the police (many of whom let them inside the capitol, but not all), entered the building and began acts of destruction and desecration not only to the building, but to our institutions as well. Our country was attacked, yes, and most horrifically, it was attacked by American citizens, whose grotesque, hate-filled faces were seen throughout, stealing, occupying the chamber, breaking glass. It was mob rule, and, to date, five people have died, including a capitol policeman.
Dougie and I watched the events unfold as they were happening. We had merely tuned in to PBS to watch the mostly perfunctory vote take place in the joint session. Then, what we saw, or, rather, heard, was noise from outside the chamber, then a rushing in. We saw Congress and staff's alarmed faces, then saw them scatter and escape. These images will be available to you, I'm sure, and I don't have the heart to post any here. I don't want that stain on these letters to you, and you will be able to find the images with little trouble.
Here is what I posted on Facebook.
I
have been a voter for 60 years and a proud American for longer than
that. I just thought I'd seen it all, having lived through Viet Nam,
Civil Rights, Watergate, assassinations, revelations of torture done by
our troops. I have never witnessed this level of corruption, and, with
yesterday's mob, a president inciting a riot. I have called Sen.
Bennett, Sen. Hickenlooper, and Rep Neguse urging impeachment or
demanding cabinet invoke Amendment 25. I'm angry and heartbroken and
prayerful.
I should have added that I was born in 1939, in October. Hitler had invaded Poland that September, and I often wondered what my parents thought about bringing a baby girl into such a sad and evil world. Do your parents wonder the same right now?
Congress did reconvene, and met into the night to certify the election of Biden and Harris. Why did they have to meet into the night, you ask? Because a large group of representatives and some senators challenged the electoral votes in certain states, essentially saying that they could not care less about the will of us, the people, who voted in good faith for one of the candidates.
It's pretty clear that Trump encouraged, even requested, this "supporters," a band of insurrectionists, come to DC on January 6 and not be "weak," but show their strength. Trump has supported white supremacists for a while now, voicing support for QAnon and Proud Boys. He has encouraged and incited violence. Twitter has thankfully canceled his account--a little late, but nonetheless....
Democracy now is in a big, tragic mess. There should be a call for impeachment on Monday. Biden will be inaugurated in less than two weeks now, but that monster Trump can wreak a lot of havoc until then.
Did a mention a glimmer of hope? We now have a Democratic House and Senate, thanks to the State of Georgia.
More hope: Dougie received his first vaccine shot last Tuesday. I will receive my first one on January 13. COVID is raging still.
GG Dougie, Off to Teach Shakespeare
Even more hope: the pictures of you, your mom, your dad, and Lucille. Your sweet smile and bright eyes!
Love,
GG Katie
I read that there are 3 months between the election and the inauguration so that the incoming president could arrive to Washington by horseback from anywhere in the union. While I appreciate the need for some traditions, there are others that seem ridiculous to hold on to!
ReplyDeleteI am nervous for Joanie, but also hopeful that she keeps her curious, sweet nature and, asks thoughtful questions, and gets to know many different kinds of people rather than rely on (ridiculous) judgements.