January 6, 2021

Do not be mistaken, the attack on the United States Capital on January 6, 2021 was a greater threat to our Democracy than the attack on 9/11. While the loss of life in this recent attack was fortunately much less, the impacts and ramifications are disturbingly different. After 9/11 we United as a nation. Our allies rallied to our side. We were shocked, saddened, and resilient as one.

Wednesday's attack has turned over a rock to reveal the frightening divisions that we have. We are a now a laughingstock across the world, and no longer that "shining city on a hill." Our neighbors, lawmakers and even pastors have raised voices and arms against our Democracy. They have proven that they do not believe in a nation for all, but only for them and what they believe. They believe that only their rights matter, and that sacred symbols of American pride and democracy can be thoughtlessly desecrated.

For those who have tried to maintain a middle ground, or want to respect both sides, this should be a moment of deep introspection. You should be thinking of not just what you want America to look like, but who you are as a person.

Consider this: after 9/11, we were United in our support of our intelligence agencies and law enforcement to find, arrest and prosecute anyone who participated or in any way supported the terrorists. We wanted them arrested, tried, and imprisoned for attacking the country we love.

We enthusiastically supported the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and most supported the Patriot Act to help search for those who would attack us from without and within. We were bloodthirsty and determined to find those who threatened our Democracy. It was easy then, because they did not look, or sound just like us.

Now we are looking at similar investigations, although those connected with 9/11 were very secretive, the unstable geniuses who desecrated the halls of our nation's Capital proudly posted videos and photos on social media. These people will be extremely easy to track, and so will their known associates.

Beyond those that participated in this recent attack (those who entered restricted space, broke doors and windows and pushed back at police lines; those who entered the Capital Building to do damage, kidnap, injure or just stroll around), there are those who encouraged and enabled them.

Where is the line in participating in a violent insurrection and only encouraging the behavior with "moral" support? Is it only foolish, or is it illegal and dangerous to be spouting unproven conspiracy theories and blaming others for the attack? I am not sure how the law will look at it. I am not sure where First Amendment rights to free speech ends and Sedition and insurrection begins. I know that after 9/11 we would have been clear on our assessment. I will be curious to see how our hypocrisy fuels our response now.

Will we feel different because they are white and American? Because they say they are Patriots? Is it okay because they say they are on the side of “God?” (don't forget, that is what the Terrorists on 9/11 said too)

I would suggest that you be careful who you are friends with. Be careful what you post. Be careful what you let other people post on your pages. I do not know how far these investigations will lead. If this were 9/11, we would want anyone who helped or even sympathized with the attackers punished to the furthest extent of the law. At least I did. And I feel the same today about what happened on January 6, 2021.

Pleading ignorance is not an excuse for sedition or other acts of criminality. Being upset with the outcome of the election is not an excuse. Those who are crying now, losing their jobs, and being arrested for what they did on January 6, can say they are sorry and made a mistake, but that doesn’t work when someone robs a bank, steals a car or sells drugs, so it doesn’t work when you attack our Democracy. Stupid is not a defense.