It's Getting Worse

 

The House January 6^th committee had their seventh hearing yesterday.  They continue to “connect the dots” between tRump, his cronies, and white supremacy militia groups and the near coup on January 6, 2021.  I remember reading media accounts of many of the details and they were horrifying enough but with the emotional impact of testimony, everything just seems so much worse.

Things I knew already from either watching the coup attempt or reading later accounts of it:

1.      Proud Boys & Oath Keepers & other white supremacist militia groups were there among the regular tRumpanzee supporters.  I knew this because they wore body armor and brought all kinds of weapons.  They had zip ties, apparently for binding whoever they could catch.

2.      Along with that, those groups were intent on causing physical harm and even death.  I knew that just from the gallows erected outside the Capitol.  I also knew that from the violence against the Capitol Police who tried valiantly to defend the legislators and the buildings.  I believe if the police hadn’t acted quickly to evacuate many of the legislators, the protestors would have killed any they got their hands on.

3.      I knew tRump was involved because he did NOTHING to stop the insurrection.  He didn’t call out the National Guard.  He didn’t tell the mob to stop.  In fact, before the mob converged on the Capitol, tRump was busy whipping them up with inflammatory remarks and told them to march to the Capitol.  There were reports all afternoon that various staff members and tRump family members tried to get TFG to act and he wouldn’t do it until hours had passed.

4.      I knew he was involved because as soon as he did finally send a video asking the mob to go home and “we love you”, most left immediately.

Later would come news stories about what went on in the White House that day, the fact that TFG was bringing pressure to bear on VP Pence to throw the election, the fact that John Eastman had this looney-tune game plan in which TFG could stay in power even though he’d lost the election, the fact that state officials were also pressured to overturn legitimate votes in favor of loser tRump, and so many other details that were further amplified, clarified and humanized by the testimony.

The emotional impact of each witness’ testimony causes me to feel that the hearings have been getting worse and worse, particularly from people victimized by tRump’s treachery.  First there were the Capitol Police who were grievously injured.  So many were injured and traumatized, and their pain shook me. 

The pressure brought to bear on VP Pence was shocking in that tRump set a target on his back and sent a mob after him.  The white supremacy terrorists declared if they’d found Mike Pence, they would have killed him.  It was a shock to learn just how close the mob had come to stumbling across Pence and his Secret Service as they were evacuating.

The most heart-breaking testimony was from the two election workers who did nothing wrong but were targeted by tRump and his henchman, Rudy Giuliani, who named and vilified them.  The two women began to receive death threats and racist messages.  They couldn’t stay in their own homes for fear of their own safety.  As for the state officials, they also suffered harassment and threats because they refused to do what tRump wanted.

Some of the new stuff I learned yesterday:

Before tRump set the mob on Congress, he and his “crazies” pals were concocting more plans to keep him in power.  On December 18, there was a huge showdown between Legal Team Normal and Team Crazies and tRump.  The Crazies proposed a lunatic theory for tRump to keep power and he would have been all for it were not for Team Normal being so adamantly against it.  The arguing grew loud and almost came to physical blows.  It was pretty clear by the end of the hours long meeting that the Crazies’ plots weren’t going to fly.

So, about an hour after the meeting, tRump tweeted his call to Washington on January 6^th.  Things would be “wild” he promised.  The right-wing militia groups, supremacists and otherwise not-as-malignant tRumpanzees responded rapidly.  The non-militia group didn’t plan to be violent or overthrow the government; they were just coming to what they thought would be a Stop-the-steal rally.  The militant groups, though, went into major offensive plans.  Normally the organizations didn’t work together but now they were cooperating.  There were maps, shared weapons & body armor, details about how to get to DC and where to stay, and working out who was going to do what when.

Another thing I learned:  tRump wasn’t supposed to reference Mike Pence in that Ellipse speech.  He ad-libbed it on when Pence still refused to do what tRump wanted.  Another new piece of information: a march like that is illegal without a permit and so it was left entirely out until the very last minute to make it seem like a spur-of-the-moment impulse of tRump’s.  It wasn’t.

One of the witnesses was a former Oath Keeper named Jason Van Tatenhove.  He was a journalist that worked for a time with the Oath Keepers.  His testimony was chilling in that he said what happened could have been an armed revolution.  The Oath Keepers and other militias were there to be violent and to kill.  He warned about our upcoming election in November and also 2024.

Stephen Ayres was one of those taken-in tRumpanzees who believed tRump and trusted him.  The election had been stolen.  Yes, he was called to Washington to join in a stop the steal rally.  He traveled with like minded friends.  None of them belonged to any supremacy group or militia.  What made him join in the riot?  He was moved by tRump’s speech at the Ellipse and the exhortation to march to the Capitol.  He went because tRump wanted him to.  He said if tRump at any point earlier in the afternoon had called on them to go home, they would have.  Maybe a lot of it could have been prevented, Ayres said.

Pat Cipollone wasn’t there to testify but he’d provided 8 hours of testimony to the committee and they introduced some of it yesterday.  He didn’t contradict anything said by any of the tRump aides and staff earlier.

Toward the end of the hearing, Liz Cheney announced that tRump himself may have tried a hand at witness tampering.  He called one of the witnesses not called yet but the recipient wouldn’t take the call.  So the plot goes on.

Chair Bennie Thompson noted that several of the injured Capitol police officers have been attending the hearings, praising them again for their courage and dedication.  Then he mentioned specifically that Aquillino Gonell has just learned that his injuries are permanent and he can’t be a police officer anymore.  When the hearing adjourned, Stephen Ayres went to Gonell, apologized, and hugged him.   Ayres also shook hands with the other officers.  I was glad to see true remorse and forgiveness.

Otherwise, I just felt emotionally nauseated, demoralized and disgusted.  I can maybe understand that people in the White House were afraid to go public with the wild plots to overturn the election.  Apparently, tRump is a vile creature with the power and means to make life hell for whoever crosses him.  But after what happened on January 6, why didn’t any of them come forward then?  Were they afraid they’d be seen as accomplices?  Look how well that worked out.

There seems to be fear that if tRump is charged with anything, there will be more violence.  Look how staying silent in the face of his raging tantrums and irrational behavior has served us.  If he’s given a pass on breaking the law, on committing treason, because people are afraid of what would happen then guess what?  He’ll see he can get away with it and it’ll happen again.  This time, we may not be as lucky as we were on January 6^th. 

And the other reason I feel nauseated, demoralized and disgusted is because of a poll conducted among Rethuglican voters.  A whopping 75% still support tRump, even after all that’s been revealed.

That really scares the shit out of me.

And Now For Something Completely Different

 I have another rant going on but I'm not done with it yet.  It's Sunday and I sure could use a day of peace & quiet.  I found a scan disk with a lot of old writing on it.  This story is over 10 years old and is a sort of re-telling of a fairy tale.  Readers will figure out which one early on.  Enjoy!

Hazel's Dilemma

 

            Hazel sipped at her steaming cup of tea, luxuriating in the comforting warmth curling up to her nose.   Birds fluttered by, chirping merrily and Hazel was drawn to her kitchen window to watch them celebrating the morning.    She settled down in her chair at the table to relax and watch the birds flock to the feeder she’d erected for them in her spacious back yard.  The picture window in the kitchen was by far the selling point of her tiny home.

            “We made a very wise purchase, didn’t we, Jim?”  She thought with a bittersweet smile.  Her eyes went to his chair, now empty, where he used to sit contentedly beside her.  I certainly will enjoy a lot more privacy here.  I won’t be bothered with family overnight for there’s no room for everyone to stay!  I can do as I please when I please!

            The realization pleased her to no end.  She’d had enough of caretaking.  She’d doted on her children Cee Cee, Tommy  Tom, Jimsy and Dee Dee, catering to their every need and whim.  Mothering was fun at first but then the children began to grow up.    She and Jim didn’t agree on how the children should be disciplined.  Jim would put them into time out and she’d feel sorry for them, go behind his back, and set them free.  To her horror and shame, none of them learned a lick of responsibility and were frequently unemployed, down and out, homeless, or in some kind of trouble.

            Hazel had never understood the concept of a mama bird pushing her babies out of the next until her own became adults.  They didn’t want to help around the house, didn’t appreciate anything and expected everything.   It was time for them to go.  It wasn’t easy to get them out but they’d done it—only to have one or the other come back for a time.  A job was lost or the car engine was blown or there was some other reason one of the children had to return. 

            “They’re never going to learn if you keep letting them come back, “ Jim complained.

            “I just can’t let them be homeless,” Hazel would say.

When whichever adult child moved in, the old problems would begin again:  no help around the house, a sense of entitlement and no appreciation.  The frustration would begin again as Hazel felt herself losing control of her house.  She knew Jim was right but just couldn’t say no to her needy children.

            “What are we going to do about this?”  Jim asked.  “Our shoe is too big for us to manage now and the children will always keep coming back to us because you just can’t say no to them!”

            “Let’s buy a smaller shoe!”  Hazel said impulsively.

            They went out looking before Hazel could change her mind.  They found the perfect little loafer and made an offer on it immediately.  Now they could be free at last to enjoy a life of their own choosing, one that didn’t include the needs of selfish children.  Unfortunately, Jim fell ill soon after that and she found herself taking care of him.  Hazel felt more and more strained as her husband’s health continued to fail.  After a year, he very passed away and Hazel grieved.

            Although Hazel missed her husband terribly, there was still a sense of freedom to being able to enjoy this cup of tea without having to bring medicine to Jim or to clean up after one of the children.  Today was certainly going to be a beautiful day!  She wondered what she might do.  She could go for a walk on the footpath through the woods.  She could call a friend and make lunch plans.  She could go to the library and browse through their shelves of books.  The possibilities were limitless!

            The phone rang.   It was Cee Cee, unmarried and with three small children.  “Mama, I got to go outta town for a job training and I need you to watch the kids,” she said.

            “Out of town?  For how long?”  Hazel asked.

            “A week I guess,” Cee Cee replied offhandedly.

            “But I have no room for the little darlings,” Hazel protested, picturing a wild tribe of aborigines leaping over her furniture and knocking over her knick knacks.  Cee Cee had even less control over her children than Hazel had ever had.

            “But, mama, if you can’t take them, I’ll lose my job!  I won’t get paid and then I’ll be out on the street because I haven’t paid the rent in almost two months.”

            Hazel groaned, shuddering inwardly.  She couldn’t have her grandchildren on the streets because their mother was so irresponsible.  She supposed she could put them into the spare room.  They were all still small enough to fit a double bed.  “All right,” she acquiesced, saying good bye to all the potential plans of the day.

            Suddenly the lovely day wasn’t so beautiful anymore.  Her daughter came by and dropped her grandchildren off.  The children were immediately restless and began to chase each other around the house.  “Go outside and play!” she called ineffectively.

            “It’s too hot Gran’ma!”  One of the children called back.  “Can’t we play video games?”

            “I don’t have video games,” she answered and they looked at her as if she was an alien with purple skin.  “Why don’t we play a nice game of cards?  How about Crazy Eights?”

            In answer, one child tagged another and they chased each other around the house again.

            Oh dear, thought Hazel.  What will I do?  They didn’t seem to want to walk outside, complaining it was too hot.  Maybe she could take them to the mall?   What if they started demanding things?  That was a very real possibility.  Maybe she could take them to the movies.  There must be a Disney movie playing somewhere!

            The phone rang again.  This time it was Dee Dee’s neighbor.  It seemed Dee Dee and her husband had been arrested for selling drugs to an undercover police officer that morning.  The neighbor was calling to see if Hazel would take in the four children.  If not, they’d have to go to Child Protective Services.

            Dazed, Hazel agreed, wondering what on earth she was going to do now.  She thought to call Tommy Tom and ask for help.  Maybe he could take some of the children.

            “Well, I might do it, Ma,” Tommy Tom said slowly as a heavy bass made Hazel’s ear piece vibrate, “but we got to move.  I’m packing the truck now, matter of fact.”

            “Again?  But why?”  Hazel asked, dismayed.

            “Aw, they say we play our music too loud and have loud parties and crap,” Tom Tom replied with a snort.  “Can you believe that?  I mean, I’m listening to something now.  It’s not loud, right?”

            Hazel just said goodbye and hung up.  Jimsy already lived under a bridge and wouldn’t be able to help at all.  He’d been working on her to move into the spare bedroom and she’d resisted so far but felt herself wavering.

            By the end of what had now become a miserable day, Hazel was beside herself.  The seven children were running rampant through her loafer, knocking over and breaking her cherished knickknacks.  Where would they all sleep?  She thought she’d figured it out but now had all these extra bodies.  She supposed she’d have to give up her bed, too, and sleep in her recliner.  What about feeding them?  Normally, she’d make a full dinner but after all the destruction the children had wrought, she just didn’t feel like it.  Some Campbell’s chicken broth would do.  Maybe they’d get the message.

            As she started to open cans of soup, she heard another loud crash.  Wearily, she dropped into her kitchen chair.  She just didn’t know what to do!

 

 

 

Are You Woke?

A couple of days ago, someone tweeted the question “Are you woke?”  Over the years I’ve come to recognize injustices whites have subjected to blacks/people of color.  I bypassed the question, though because I didn’t think it was right for me to answer.  “Woke” is a term that is rooted in the black community, advice to become aware of when and where there are injustices.  I started seeing the word used often after George Floyd was murdered.  However, the word goes way back over 50 years.

Teachers didn’t talk about racial injustice when I was in school.  If a teacher went off topic, it was usually about the Viet Nam war.  At the same time and in the news, there were Civil Rights protests, unrest, and rioting in some of the cities across the country.  There were never any discussions about those important issues.  So, I learned about racial injustice out of school.

On the news, I saw images of police holding snarling dogs threatening peaceful civil rights protesters.  Fire hoses were used full force against people who were just marching in protest of Jim Crow and segregation laws.  The images were cruel and barbaric.  I thought to myself: I thought we were all free to vote.  Wasn’t that in the 14^th or 15^th amendments, passed 100 years ago?

I read To Kill A Mockingbird, identifying strongly with Scout.  I also got a history lesson in what life was like for blacks in the 1930s.  It was shocking.  Could this be true?  Why didn’t we learn this in school?  Like Scout, I devoured books and went to the library to investigate the topics of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and segregation.  Wow! It really was true that there were separate water fountains and bathrooms for blacks and people of color even into the 1960s.  Whoa!  No wonder people were protesting.

We used to go to a private swim club.  After I read Mockingbird, I looked around and noticed that all the members were white.  People of color began picketing the swim club.  They wanted all races to be able to swim in the pools and quarry.  My Deaf parents and friends suffered discriminatory practices from the hearing world so I was surprised that they supported the club’s stance to keep people of color out.  How could they be so bigoted when they, themselves, were excluded from Hearing world most of the time?  The excuses they used to support a segregated pool were so lame, so stereotypical.

Did the Deaf community realize how much the civil rights movement helped advance their own civil rights?  All my growing up years, I saw how the Hearing World treated the Deaf: labeling them “deaf and dumb”; regulating how they were taught in schools for the Deaf where using sign language was forbidden; limiting their job opportunities to machinist, printer, seamstress, keypunch operator.  Deaf people grew weary of being suppressed and began their own civil rights movement.  Other groups of people who’d suffered discrimination began to win their own civil rights.  All of these came about because blacks who’d been suppressed forever rose up and said enough, we want to be treated equally like everyone else.

It's still not happening though.  In most recent years, it’s become very clear to me that many cops are still operating with a white supremacist mindset.  They see people of color as a big threat, just as what happened 400 years ago.  It’s an attitude that persists from parent to child to grandchild and on and on and on.  So, a black person minding his or her own business in a white neighborhood is perceived as a threat.  See what happened to Trayvon Martin or Ahmaud Arbery.  George Floyd was brutally murdered by cop Derek Chauvin, who spent 19 minutes with his knee on Floyd’s throat and choking the life out of him.

I read posts and tweets from black parents of sons, fearing for their futures and cautioning the boys about being confronted by cops.  It’s not just the sons either.  Breonna Taylor was sleeping on a sofa in her apartment.  Cops arrived to serve a warrant and broke into her apartment by mistake.  They began firing and she was hit and killed.  There have been so many cop killings of black people and, most of the time, they aren’t prosecuted.  Derek Chauvin was a rare exception.

Meanwhile, when white mass shooters don’t kill themselves first, they are arrested without much incident.  What is going on here?  A white supremacist with an AR-15 who just mowed down a crowd of people is less of a threat than a black person at a traffic stop?

I am very aware of social injustices and am also very aware of the evil white supremacy plot to remove fundamental rights and return us to the restrictive bad “old days”.  It’s clear that white supremacists want to regain control again and remove the rights gained over the last 80 years.  I wouldn’t say I was woke though.  That word doesn’t belong to me.  It belongs to the people most in danger of losing all their rights.  I am aware of what’s happening and why, and I’m actively trying to help prevent the overturn of our democracy.