Dammit

 

So, we survived, barely, maybe. As somebody said, a failed coup is still a coup, and if a bunch of angry folks force their way into the Capitol building, causing lawmakers to flee, with the intent of subverting a legal election... well, sure smells like a coup to me.

It's tempting to write this off as another clown act from the circus of fascist wannabees, what with all their selfie-taking and podium-stealing and smoking in the building and the general milling about with the air of teenage trespassers. But some of the insurrectionists were armed and some had zipties (hostage taking?) and threats were made and bombs were found. For at least some of these yahoos, this was very real.

And it was planned in advance - social media caps show that. And it was encouraged - by a sitting president. And it was supported - by some of the very lawmakers whose constitutional procedure was interrupted and threatened by the riot.

And it is a crime.

I am hoping that federal and D.C. law enforcement investigates and prosecutes vigorously through the criminal justice system everyone who was associated with this.

I am hoping the Democratic Party will vigorously pursue all sanctions through the political system, including impeachment and refusing to seat those who supported the rioters.

I am hoping, but I am not at all confident.

Back in the day I had a friend who knew people in fascist Spain during the Franco era. She would visit them, and they would drink beer and play guitars and sing songs all while living in a surveillance state with press censorship, oppression of trade unions, decreased autonomy of local government, and the leader of the nation issuing death warrants for political opponents. I wondered what that must have been like, and try to get my head around what that mind space must have been like.

And I wonder whether and I worry that I will find out for myself, here, soon, unless there are some dramatic changes in our country.