{"id":37783,"date":"2021-01-06T20:52:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-07T03:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/?p=37783"},"modified":"2021-01-06T20:52:00","modified_gmt":"2021-01-07T03:52:00","slug":"opinion-a-new-day-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/06\/opinion-a-new-day-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: A New Day in America"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Opinion:<\/span><\/p>\n

A few do not represent America; it’s a country of many. Today, a few performed an attack on the institutions of the American government. They failed. Driven by the demented suggestions of the current President, they justified their actions in the name of democracy yet lacked the aptitude to understand the very definition of how democracy works. Yes, I know the frustration; I don’t understand violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I lived in Europe, The Netherlands, and Switzerland for five years in the latter half of the 1990s, I came to appreciate different government systems and the US system’s strengths and weaknesses. We are not perfect, far from it, but it’s not all bad, until.<\/span><\/p>\n

The last four years have demonstrated how a system can be highjacked, overtaken by singular objectives, or personality. Appealing to those who yearn to go back 70 years, to return to days when women can’t vote, blacks used separate restrooms, police had an absolute rule, and white men dominated. Well, that was yesterday, not today … and we will never go back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, the stock market is at an all-time high (benefiting a tiny percentage of the public), yes unemployment was at an all-time low (before the pandemic consisting of people working multiple jobs below livable wages), and yes, the polarization widened between those advocating support for fellow humans and support for business. As always, the answer is in the middle. It’s an “and” not an “or.”<\/span><\/p>\n

So today, January 6, 2021, a tiny group of sadly misguided “Americans” tried to take over the Capitol. The President told them at a rally an hour earlier to:<\/span><\/p>\n

“We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. All of us here today do not want to see our election victory stolen by emboldened radical Left Democrats\u2014 which is what they’re doing\u2014 and stolen by the fake news media,” Trump said. “We will never give up. We will never concede.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A woman was killed, police had broken bones. Mr. President, you own that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later he tweeted,<\/span><\/p>\n

“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long; go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was later removed, and his account was frozen, but it can’t be forgotten. Yes, Mr. President, this day will be remembered for a long time, as will your role.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2016, when the current President was elected, I had my concerns but was willing to give him a chance; I wrote in a\u00a0<\/span>blog<\/span><\/a>, “I am an American. Congratulations, Mr. Trump. You got what you wanted. Being President is not a reality show. I trust you that once you fully understand the seriousness as the President of the United States of America, that will you will mature to the role.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I was wrong, horribly wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, The US moves into a new era, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The damage done to the country is extensive. It’s severely divided. I’m not sure it can be repaired soon. My optimism in 2016 is less in 2021. I have my doubts that either side can speak civilly to the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will we learn? After Iran Contra, Swiftboatt, Watergate, 911, Columbine, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, Parkland, I’m not sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe in the American model and others around the world. I don’t believe the minority of opinions and those views define the majority. I believe hard work, education, and commitment leads to success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I usually only post on climbing and Alzheimer’s but occasionally, as in once every four years, on the US’s leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks for listening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alan<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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