{"id":4513,"date":"2021-01-18T21:51:12","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T21:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/?p=4513"},"modified":"2022-11-03T14:46:43","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T14:46:43","slug":"death-at-the-capitol-something-isnt-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/death-at-the-capitol-something-isnt-working\/","title":{"rendered":"Death at the Capitol: “Something Isn’t Working”"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

America’s 2020 presidential election is over. Its aggravation isn’t.<\/p>\n

I’m one of the many folks who opted to vote by mail. Election results weren’t entirely good or bad news from my viewpoint.<\/p>\n

This month’s news hasn’t been all bad.<\/p>\n

Even my corner of social media has simmered down a bit.<\/p>\n

I still see expressions of angst and anger over the fascists and\/or pawns of the New World Order, but nowhere near as often.<\/p>\n

But an item in this month’s news was disturbing.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Storming the Capitol: Dealing With Uncertainty<\/h4>\n

\"Edison<\/a>Nearly two weeks later, I’m still not sure what happened during the “2021 storming of the United States Capitol.” Not in detail.<\/p>\n

I’m pretty sure that someone planned the incident. What America’s traditional news media describes does not seem like the actions of a disorganized “mob.”<\/p>\n

And I’m quite sure that several folks were killed during the incident. Maybe by the “mob,” by Capitol security, or by others.<\/p>\n

And I’m pretty sure that eventually we’ll learn more of the what and who. And maybe even the why of that incident.<\/p>\n

For the moment, America’s traditional news media assures me that the current president’s supporters planned and executed the attack.<\/p>\n

And that it’s the current president’s fault.<\/p>\n

Assorted folks on social media have their own ‘what-who-why.’<\/p>\n

As for me, I think that I don’t have enough data to form a reasoned opinion. And that what I do know is disturbing. More disturbing, in a way, than traditional news media’s version.<\/p>\n

I talked about that, weekend before last:<\/p>\n

“…Other possibly-significant results include at least two social media services banning the American president. And, maybe, the start of a renewed and urgent discussion of restrictions for non-traditional news services.
\n“I gather that these actions are intended to defend democracy. By silencing folks who lack sufficient enthusiasm for my country’s proper rulers.
\n“Not that anyone\u2019s been quite that blunt about it….”
\n(January 9, 2021<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I remember when stopping dissent in the name of ‘national security’ was in vogue.<\/p>\n

I didn’t like it then.<\/p>\n

Maybe ‘defending democracy’ will become the new ‘national security.’ I hope not.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Serenity, Reason, Respect \u2014 and Present Reality<\/h4>\n

<\/a>Ideally, folks who don’t agree would discuss their differences. Calmly, reasonably and with mutual respect.<\/p>\n

We don’t live in an ideal world. I keep saying that, and that’s \u2014 you guessed it \u2014 another topic.<\/p>\n

I was going somewhere with this. Let me think. Presidential election. Voting by mail. Sound and fury. Traditional news media and insufficient data. Right.<\/p>\n

I’m not entirely happy the 2020 state and national election results. But I’m not entirely unhappy with them.<\/p>\n

<\/a>“…A Yardstick for Lunatics….”<\/h5>\n