Why is America a divided nation? Did this happen accidentally? Or, have some been planning this? What contributes to the sabotage of American society and government? Where on the continuum of “dissent,” “protest,” “civil disobedience,” sedition, treason are we in January, 2021? What are the limits of “free speech,” “free press,” “petition,” and “assembly?” When does Constitutionally protected conduct cross the line into sabotage, sedition, treason? Major question: WHO benefits from this? WHO?
“Fifth column” [encyclopedia definition]: “refers to undercover agents operating within the ranks of an enemy to undermine its cause…They may work in an army, political party, or industry. Their activities include spying, sabotage, economic subversion, propaganda, agitation, infiltration, or even assassination, terror, and revolt.”
“Sedition” [dictionary definition]: “incitement of public disorder or rebellion against a government; any action, especially in speech or writing promoting such disorder or rebellion.”
“Treason” [dictionary definition}: “violation by a subject of his allegiance to his sovereign or state…any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state to which one owes allegiance; the crime of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one’s government. SEDITION is any act, writing , speech, etc. directed unlawfully against state authority, the government, or the constitution or calculated to bring it into contempt or to incite others to hostility, ill will, or disaffection…”
The events of January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. did NOT happen by accident. But – they do reveal a CANCER that has been growing within our midst. The only question for loyal Americans is how far back, and to WHOM they trace the roots of this.
Consider the terms defined above: “undermine its cause,”” sabotage, propaganda, agitation, terror, revolt, incitement to disorder or rebellion, speech & writing promoting such disorder or rebellion, attempt to overthrow the government OR “impair the well-being of the state<” giving aid or COMFORT to enemies, ANY ACT against the Constitution, actions CALCULATED to bring it [the government] into CONTEMPT, incite others to HOSTILITY, ILL WILL, or DISAFFECTION.”
Look at this list very, very carefully, with historic memory. For the years 2015-2021, WHO did this? For the years 1975-2021 WHO did this???
Exactly WHO undermined America – in words and action? WHO has issued destructive, divisive anti-democratic propaganda? WHO has “agitated” against American democracy? WHO has engaged in terror – bombings, assassinations, intimidation? Who – speech [often in broadcast form] or writing has “incited” to disorder or rebellion [often in”patriotic terms]? Who has “impaired the well-being” of the state [as “patriots]? WHO, by their conduct, has given aid or “comfort” to enemies? WHO, in the name of “patriotism” has acted against the Constitution? WHO has calculated to bring the government “into contempt?” WHO has “incited others” to “hostility, ill will, or disaffection” with government or America? WHO profited? Exactly, WHO did this???
The answer is obvious. The many people and groups who HAVE done this made many public statements, speeches, broadcasts, and acts. THEY have done it on all forms of media, which have been RECORDED. They have done it in party platforms. They have done it in the way they spend money. For some, the acts of propaganda, “agitation,” inciting “hostility, ill will and disaffection” have been THEIR ENTIRE CAREER. For some politicians, “impairing the well-being of the state” has been THEIR ENTIRE CAREER. For some groups sabotage, agitation, terror and assassination were among the weapons they used, often in terms of “purifying” and bringing “morality.”
January l3th, the Pentagon’s senior leadership issued a statement calling the January 6th Capitol riot “sedition and insurrection…We witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were inconsistent with the rule of law. The rights of freedom of speech and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence. sedition, and insurrection…The violent riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional processes.”
January 14th, 34 House members asked for an inquiry into some House members who appear to have given special tours to some Capitol visitors on January 5th, labeled by one House member as “reconnaissance.” She further stated: “Members of the group that attacked the Capitol seemed to have unusually detailed knowledge of the layout of the Capitol Complex.” Concern over the January 5th tours was reported to the Sergeant at Arms on the 5th. A senior House member asked why rioters knew of the most hidden and obscure places, how rioters knew how to find an UNMARKED office of a top House member. Exactly WHO would be on the list of suspects? Which House members – by their own words, their own actions – would be the leading suspects?
Many on the “terror watch list” were in Washington January 6th. Now – would a reasonable person choose to believe this was a “coincidence?” January 15th Washington Post article: “Several law enforcement officials said they are shocked by the backgrounds of some individuals under investigation…a pool of suspects that includes current and former law enforcement and military personnel, senior business executives, and middle-aged business owners. “I can’t believe some of the people I’m seeing [investigated] one official said.” WHAT are we learning? WHO wanted this?
A January 17th New York Times article, “Capitol Attack Could Fuel Years of Extremist Recruitment” began with this: “overthrowing the government. Igniting a second Civil War. Banishing racial minorities, immigrants, and Jews. Or simply sowing chaos in the streets. The ragged camps of far-right groups and white nationalists emboldened under President Donald Trump have long nursed an overlapping list of hatreds and goals. But now they have been galvanized by the outgoing president’s false claims that the election was stolen from him – and by the violent attack on the nation’s Capitol that hundreds of them led in his name.” Exactly WHO spread this disinformation?
A Washington Post-ABC News poll found 90% of Americans oppose the Capitol storming. 2 to 1, Americans say Trump acted irresponsibly in post-election words and actions. Over 50% say Trump should be criminally prosecuted, but only 13% of Republicans agree.
30% are “optimistic” about the overall government; 48% uncertain; 20% “generally pessimistic.” Democrats are twice as optimistic as Republicans.
So – with current issues in mind, we continue to backtrack the long chain of events and words that led to January 6th’s sedition. There are many strands creating the ideological justification There are many forces and groups that have sought to undermine the 1789-1980 trajectory of more people enjoying freedom and benefits of America. One very important key: some DON’T want more people enjoying more freedoms.
For a century these groups on the political – economic – religious – social “right” have sought to create an America of THEIR definition. In many ways, they’ve DECLARED WAR not only on the “original intent” of the Founders, but they entire trajectory of more people being included in “the American Dream.”
The Founders created a revolutionary concept – the PEOPLE, not kings and nobility, not an official state church, were the source of government power. The PEOPLE, as in “all men are created equal,” were supposed to benefit. Some don’t want this.
The top 1% resent ANY of “their” money [which they “earned,” all by themselves] being taxed. In 1933 they attempted coup [Jules Archer: “The Plot to Seize the White House”]. Before, and incredibly, during World War II, major “American” corporations actively aided the Nazis [Charles Higham: “Trading With the Enemy,” and Edwin Black: “IBM and the Holocaust”]. During WW II and subsequent 1947-73 STATISTICAL middle class , their taxes ranged between 70-90% top marginal rates. Beginning with Reagan, Republican presidents have cut those taxes in half [and the U.S.national debt has exploded].
In 1929 and 2008, Wall Street greed led to major economic crashes. Those most hurt weren’t the top 1% perps who caused the crisis. Restraints were applied to Wall Street, but they worked for 60 years, got them removed – and 2008 occurred.
Beginning in 1980, the Republican mantra is “government is the problem.” So, they’ve sabotaged it, tried to weaken it so it couldn’t work [John Dean: “Broken Government,” Mann and Ornstein: “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks,” Stuart Stevens: “It Was All A Lie”].
The logical conclusion: the incompetent and ignorant Trump reign. Trump’s lies, incompetence, ignorance, corruption, cruelty are unlikely [hopefully] ever to be matched. His COVID-19 ignorance and incompetence [by medical testimonies] led to 400,000 deaths; schools and businesses being closed, massive unemployment, millions of sick. Proof: just compare to other “civilized” nations [So. Korea, Australia, New Zealand, etc] for comparison s of population and pro-rated deaths.
Another factor in our division is the “religious right>” Their activities to sabotage the First Amendment are so egregious, an organization [Americans United For Separation of Church and State] exists almost solely to combat its transgressions. With the help of “pro-life” Justices, the Supreme Court has almost neutered YOUR protection from having a church YOU DON’T ATTEND running YOUR private life by it’s dogma. Is there ANYTHING more un-American then this? They created a “culture war” to achieve this
The there is the right-wing media assault. Major right-wing media organizations and personalities have engaged in a 24/7 barrage of anti-democratic, anti-government propaganda seeking to subvert American society and government. An “echo chamber” exists endlessly repeating lies, mistruths, rumors, conspiracy theories, “alternative facts,” various bumper sticker “talking points.” They’ve exceeded anything Dr. Goebbels ever dreamed of doing, or did. Millions of good Americans have been fed a 24/7 diet of fear and hatred – for decades. Words have consequences.
Another factor is armed groups of reactionary rebels calling themselves “patriotic” militias [‘proven” by open display of Confederate flags]. They’ve been terrorizing parts of America for years. This has steadily increased since l980, accelerated since 2017. Armed with military style weapons, they’re trying to intimidate local and state governments, civilians – and – on January 6, 2021 – the federal government.
Not only fueled by hate and fear, they’ve been aided by the Supreme Court’s “Heller” and “McDonald” decisions, reversing 216 years of ESTABLISHED Second Amendment interpretation that it was a collective, not individual, “right.” See Articles of Confederation, Article VI, and the two 1792 Militia Acts for real “original intent.”
Do bands of angry, well-fed, white men with military style weapons on American streets make YOU feel more safe?
Is it “only a coincidence” that all the most corrupt American presidencies have been Republican- measured by scandals, depressions enabled, war crimes, immoral wars, criminal indictments, and jail time. We’re talking Grant, Harding, Nixon, Reagan, Bush II, Trump. Is it “only a coincidence” the 3 most recent economic disasters – 1930’s Great Depression, 2008 Great Recession, COVID-19 recession/depression all happened because of Republican policies?
NO, it isn’t. The types of people attracted to the Republican philosophies are “authoritarians,” many of whom are rigid in several beliefs. [many studies of this, most recently John Dean & Bob Altemeyer’s “Authoritarian Nightmare”] Most are also “business friendly” [meaning corporate & top 1% tax cuts, eliminate regulations, oppose labor 7 consumer rights].
Their followers and enablers share, often rigid, anti-democratic beliefs. 2016-2021 illustrated followers “going over the cliff” in absolute faith, despite mountains of evidence.
January 6, 2021 was not an accident. It is the tip of the last century’s iceberg brought to fruition. We’re divided because the total “right wing” Of America has CREATED this. The ultimate goal is a plutocratic, authoritarian American theocracy – a return to pre-1920, when women, non-whites, the lower 95% knew “their place” and stayed there.
Connect ALL the dots – the evidence is in plain sight, recorded in many forms. The above points are only the very tip of this iceberg. These people are serious. The recent Republican maneuverings on Supreme Court seats is a prime example, including the righteous arrogance as they pulled it off – they laughed at YOU in absolute contempt.
Consider January 6, 2021 a warning.
With Justice For All 