Tuesday, January 12, 2021

It's Tuesday

*Spoiler alert. There is nothing uplifting about this post. If you are saturated in sadness, feel free to skip today and come back tomorrow. Believe me, I understand.

 January 6, 2021. America's Nightmare.

For months, I've been expecting something like this.If  you connect the dots, you know where you are going to end up. But I expected it in the abstract. Expecting something to happen isn't like witnessing it. Seeing a policeman being crushed by a mob. A noose hanging. The confederate flag waving. A policeman being beaten with the American flag. Our capitol, our house, desecrated. Windows smashed. Congress members' offices ransacked.Insurgents wearing sweatshirts with January 6, 2021 Civil War on them and others with antisemitic slogans. 

Worst of all, five people were killed, one a policeman. Why? To overthrow our election, our government.  To turn democracy into an autocracy. Over the months votes have been counted and recounted then recounted again. The results were taken to court over sixty times and found to be legitimate. But just like 'Fake News', if 'rigged elections' is repeated often enough, people begin to believe it.

For years, congress men and women were willing to reach across the table, willing to put aside their differences and compromise for the good of the country.  It was healthy. It insured democracy survived. And sprinkled amongst congress  were heroes, on both sides of the aisle. Then we lost John McCain and John Lewis and the last of our heroes were gone. 

What are we left with? A man whose first and last concern is himself, and his enablers. There are rumblings about another uprising the seventeenth and the twentieth. I hope we aren't on the verge of civil war.

Arnold states it much better than I ever could.


 

AND...

I hate ending on such a negative note, so let me add, an innkeeper was once fined and jailed for making uncomplimentary remarks about John Adams' posterior. 😂 And while it smacks of autocracy, I still got a chuckle out of it.

37 comments:

Yvonne said...

You described it perfectly. And I feel your pain. I can't believe we are here but I know in my heart, deep, deep in my heart, that we will come out of this stronger, somehow.

nashvillecats2 said...

A very sad post Sandra and I feel how you must be feeling.
By the way you write of John Lewis, well Sandra that was my late son's name,,,,, brought a few tears.
Take care.
Yvonne.

Anonymous said...

I am so pleased you wrote and posted this. When I think of the American bloggers I know who are all of similar minds and I'm trying not to be patronising, I have felt awful for you all over the last four years.
Arnie's view is interesting given he was a Republican Governor.
To end with some humour, I heard this years ago and I was reminded today of what Dorothy Parker said when President Coolidge died, "How can they tell?".

Valerie-Jael said...

Great words to describe a shameful and disgraceful mob attack on the heart of democracy! Stay safe, hugs, Valerie

RO said...

Violence and cruelty are never the answer. Be safe, Super Sandra! Hugs, RO

Annalisa Crawford said...

I wish you a peaceful end to these turbulent years, a nice uneventful spring and summer. I've heard people criticise Biden for his low turnouts and Twitter numbers (as those are now the only criteria) but perhaps someone quiet, who works behind the scenes (like they used to) is what you need now x

CJ Kennedy said...

I'm still reeling in shock and wonder how do we move on from here?

Jeanie said...

Sandra, you say this so perfectly. What have we become? I am deeply saddened and angry at the events of January 6 and terribly concerned about those in our immediate future. Michigan is expecting all sorts of havoc (again) -- that's just a few miles from me at the Capitol. Every day more comes out and it gets worse and worse. It's not like we couldn't see it coming but it is still so shocking. There are many who are accountable for this -- and not all of them were in Washington that day.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was talking to RO! this morning on the phone and she told me I needed to see your blog post today. First, I love what you said about if people say a lie long enough, some people will start to believe it.

Back in March of 2020, I wrote this about Trump:

Deny
Attack
Control the narrative
Place blame elsewhere
Play the victim

After seeing excerpts of Trump trying to get the Georgia Sec of State to change the vote count, I see he displayed all these characteristics over the course of 62 minutes. It appears he did the same when he incited the riot last Wednesday.

Now he's blaming the Dems for his problems. (Deny, place blame elsewhere, and play the victim). You presented this perfectly, dear Sandra. I just worry that this is just the beginning of the nightmare, not the end.

I suggest everyone read the 14th Amendment and don't stop at the Citizenship clause. I explained it to RO! this morning and she noted that the 14th Amendment would also include military.

D.L. Finn said...

Sending hugs Sandra xo

Sandra Cox said...

I think we will too, Yvonne. I also think it will be a long time coming.

Christine said...

Good speech by Arnold.

Sandra Cox said...

You gave your son a hero's name, Yvonne.
Hugs and so sorry for the tears.

Sandra Cox said...

I appreciate your concern. We're going to be a long time coming back.
I loved that Arnold stepped up to the plate. I wish more Republican politicians would.
Thanks for the humorous quote. I needed it;)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks so much, Val.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

That's for sure.
You be safe as well, Rockin Ro.
Hugs received and returned.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks for the kind words, Annalisa. Pretty sad state of affairs when democracy is based on twitter numbers isn't it?

Sandra Cox said...

Right there with ya. I think for some time to come we will be fighting to just hold our own. I also feel that at some point we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hugs

Sandra Cox said...

I know, Jeanie. And I agree, I'm afraid it's going to escalate. I'm scared to death for Joe Biden, especially during the inauguration.
You be careful. That's way to close for comfort to a problem area.
Hugs

Sandra Cox said...

I completely agree on your points about Trump, and the 14th amendment regarding any military or government official that were involved in the attempted takeover.

Natalie Aguirre said...

A sad post but so true. I saw Arnold's speech too. January 20th at noon can't come soon enough.

Birgit said...

God, How I love Dorothy Parker!

Birgit said...

You speak wise words and sad ones too. Arnold was, first, for Trump stump but very soon after he changed since he saw what a narcissistic nutjob orange man is. What is so annoying is how many still think he has been maligned. They need to be de-culted(I made up this word obviously). I think these nasty human beings have always been around but never felt they could come out from under the baseboards until orangeman came around. I believe they will be squashed like the bugs they are and I can't help but think of the final part of Fantasia. Here it is... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLCuL-K39eQ

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Denise.
Received and returned:)

Sandra Cox said...

The 21st is my go to date, to make sure we get Joe through the 20th.

Sandra Cox said...

Well said. And de-culted works for me:)
I watched the Fantasia link. Thanks for sharing it:)
Be well and stay safe.

J.P. Alexander said...

Uy las cosas en tu país pintan mal. Ojala todo mejore y se respete la
democracia y no termine dando otro intento de golpe de estado . A mi nunca me gusto su presidente lo note populista y mamarracho. Te mando un beso

Janie Junebug said...

Fined and jailed for making comments about Adams' ass, but the creature from the black lagoon uses comments to incite violence and he remains in the White House. Oh, Lord, what will happen Jan. 20th.

Love,
Janie

Samantha Bryant said...

I'm feeling somewhat hopeful, seeing some of his own party express willingness to impeach. But I'm nervous as heck about what these people will try to pull at the inauguration. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

If they raised their hand and took an oath, they are responsible to live up to it.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, J.P.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm nervous about the 20th too. Here's hoping the good guys win.

Sandra Cox said...

Me too Samantha. I'll feel better when the 20th is in the rearview mirror.

Fundy Blue said...

Thank you for posting this, Sandra. I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger's video on tv. It was excellent! The USA is my adopted country, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would happen in the country I love. I was proud to see my congressman Rep. Jason Crow offering comfort to Rep. Susan Wild on the House Gallery Floor. He was prepared to fight their way out, if need be. He's a decorated former Army Ranger, and he didn't mince words about what happened at the Capitol. There are many, many wonderful people in America, and I have faith that our people and institutions will prevail. We've been through dark times before, and we will get through this.

Magic Love Crow said...

Sandra, thank you for this meaningful post! I'm not American, but I have many American friends, and I truly feel for all of you! Know, that there are many people around the world, that love you all and pray everything turns out right! Thank you for sharing Arnold's speech! Big Hugs!

Sandra Cox said...

I saw that about Jason Crow. Looks like there are heroes left afterall and he's one. And Arnold, wow. I really appreciated that video. I agree, we will get through this. Thanks for weighing in, Louise.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks,Stacy. Your well wishes are much appreciated.
Hugs received and returned.