Is this a coup?

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Did the protestors today file for permits and give advance notice of their "protest" today?
Was the protest peaceful, or was it a riot?
If congressional representatives are elected by the people, is it ever justified to capture the capitol building by violent means?
Why was the capitol police not prepared for this?
How did the rioters breach the law enforcement perimeter around the building?
Why did congressional staffers leave computers unlocked?
Did Trump's comments constitute enticement to the insurrection?
Did Trump's remarks throughout the day actually convey a desire to peacefully stand down?
Is this a coup?
Who is in charge in the United States?
Were the rioters treated differently because of their race, affiliation, or their demeanor?
How much collective time was wasted today worrying about our country?

I think I have more questions than answers today. Yesterday made me optimistic for the future. With Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock winning the Georgia Senate races, the democratic party will (narrowly) control the Senate for the first time in about a decade.

For this immediate crisis, I'm not too worried. I think that it is now unpalatable to refuse to certify the results of the election. Doing so is to be in alignment with the violence that took place today.

I do worry that there is a not small minority of citizens who are all of the following: fiercely loyal to Trump, discontent with the country, violent, and misinformed. Today we can all unite in calling them crazy, saying that we don't agree. The so-called crazies will not disappear. They will continue to be misinformed. They'll go back to the shadows, licking their wounds, but waiting for another day. Right now, America seems to have lost control of those who are discontent. How do we bring them back?

Photo by Darren Halstead on Unsplash