#609 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Thursday March 16)
Good morning,
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
As we all know, Mike Pence refused to appear before the January 6th Committee and has refused all attempts to “come clean” on the details of the Trump White House shenanigans. But even he had this to say at the Gridiron Dinner in Washington, D.C., the annual journalism white tie event:
“Donald Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election, and his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
He also said:
“What happened that day was a disgrace. And it mocks decency to portray it any other way. For as long as I live, I will never, ever diminish the injuries sustained, the lives lost, or the heroism of law enforcement on that tragic day.”
To understand the clear and present danger of the still in the running Donald Trump, here’s what one of his supporters had to say about Liz Cheney and January 6th…
THE VIEWS OF A DYED-IN-THE-WOOL TRUMPIST
As I have said many times, there are plenty of issues upon which Republicans and Democrats can debate, compromise, and enact legislation that could make a difference for our country. There are conservatives whom I know and legislators in Washington who are ready to do just this. Many Republicans seem eager to enter into meaningful discussions with Biden about the future. They cannot, however, given the strong subset of the Republican party that keeps them in check. That subset represents some 30% of the Republican party, ensuring that, if enough candidates for the nomination emerge, Donald Trump may well emerge as the party’s standard bearer with a mere plurality of the vote.
Sadly, the still vocal minority that supports one or more of (a) the big lie, (b) January 6th was an FBI operation, (c) there is a “deep state” plotting against America (and Trump, in particular), (d) massive widespread voter fraud exists, (e) Jews and other Democrats are trying to bolster the voting rolls illegally in order to “replace” traditional white Americans, and (f) believe there were many “good people” in Charlottesville and at the Capital. They believe the multiple lawsuits winding their way through the courts are a “witch hunt,” notwithstanding the volume of data and testimony.
ONE EXAMPLE OF THE BRAINWASHING
If you say the same things enough times, even reasonable people will fall victim to lies. One can see many examples of how far this has gone in circles one would hardly expect would glom on to conspiracy theories. Here are the words of a college educated thoughtful businessperson and community leader, speaking about Liz Cheney:
“Liz Cheney is the Benedict Arnold of the Republican Party. She played directly into the Democratic Party propaganda machine. May I remind you that the Dems picked her and rejected any candidates suggested by Republican leadership. There was no opportunity for cross examination by those accused of misdeeds. There was no opportunity to investigate FBI incitement or why Pelosi turned down Trump’s offer of National Guard protection. The only person who died that day was a 5’2” unarmed Trump supporter and the killer was given a free pass. Over 2 years later, there are still people in jail who have not been charged with anything. That is Biden’s and Garland’s “America.”
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?
I have to assume that a person of this man’s education, knowledge, and integrity is the victim of a pernicious cult of misinformation. If one listens to Fox News or similar sources enough, the lies feel like the truth. This is coupled by an unwillingness to diverge from the defense of Trump and a tribalism that can’t see another view. People don’t want to look beyond their narrow self interest and they are happy to find solace in confirmation bias, regardless of its source.
WHY HE’S SO PROFOUNDLY WRONG
I’ve tried before to parse the words of some of these more outrageous missives I’ve received from friends. Let’s try again here:
First, “the Benedict Arnold of the Republican party”? This is a woman who has been adjudged one of the most consistently conservative members of the House throughout her tenure. She has not modified her positions on key issues. She has not re-registered as an Independent or a Democrat. She caucused with her party and generally supported her party’s positions in the House.
If anything, Ms. Cheney is the “Benedict Arnold of Donald Trump.” Or perhaps, better, she is the Paul Revere of her party, riding through the night with a lantern, warning the party, “The truth is coming. The truth is coming.”
When you stop to think about it, who is the Benedict Arnold in this story? I suggest Donald Trump is the Benedict Arnold of the Republican party, having betrayed their core values, having morphed the party into little more than a mouthpiece for him (point of evidence: the 2022 party platform that addressed not one single issue, instead professing to Mr. Trump’s brilliant reign), and having led them to three successive spectacular electoral defeats, against the precedent of history.
Second, the author maintains that the Democrats, in forming the January 6th Committee, rejected anyone proposed by the Republican leadership. While seemingly true, this claim bears some scrutiny. The only two Republicans presented by Kevin McCarthy were die-hard Trump supporters who publicly railed against the committee and had established their opinions and proudly conveyed their intent to impede the investigation. The Democrats asked the Republican leadership for other names (while uncommon, it is not without precedent for the majority party to reject nominees). The Republicans refused. Representatives Kitzinger and Cheney were the only ones left.
Third, this person complains that there wasn’t the opportunity for “those accused of misdeeds” to cross-examine their accusers. Perhaps he isn’t familiar with the differences between American jurisprudence and legislative inquiries. The legislators have no power to indict and there is no right to cross-examine. Only members of Congress ask the questions. Let’s remember that virtually all of the witnesses who presented damning evidence against the White House’s actions were Republicans—many of whom were members of the administration. Finally, there were many senior members of Mr. Trump’s administration and of his inner circle of advisors who were invited to appear before the January 6th Committee. They declined their chance to tell their story. Mr. Trump continued to attempt to exercise executive privilege, to prevent their appearance.
Fourth, “there was no opportunity to investigate FBI incitement.” This is the often-debunked theory that the January 6th event was provoked not by President Trump, seen in writing and on the air stoking his supporters, but by a “false flag” operation of the FBI. Under this narrative, the FBI, which probably did more than anyone else to ensure Mr. Trump’s narrow victory in 2016, was a “deep state” conspiracy out to get Mr. Trump. This remarkable conspiracy has yet to yield a member of that conspiracy turning state’s evidence or offering proof of this ridiculous claim. I’m sure the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers would be upset to know that the far-right thinks they didn’t organize but required a federal agency (their mortal enemies) to make it happen.
Fifth of the claims is that Speaker Pelosi rejected President Trump’s offer of national guard troops. This has been debunked multiple times. There was no calling out of the national guard, even after Vice-President Pence’s request and the request of others. Mr. Trump just watched by his TV set for three hours. Here’s one article on this: https://thedispatch.com/article/fact-check-did-pelosi-reject-trumps-request-for-national-guard-troops-on-january-6/
Sixth, “only one person died that day,” a 5’4” woman. Yes, a 5’4” woman beating on the police and storming the Capitol. I suppose size matters and this woman’s diminutive stature forgives her actions or explains that she was more vulnerable than most. This is foolishness (see, e.g., the “egg-shell plaintiff”). But others died, just not on that day and not just from physical attack but also emotional distress. The cries to kill people were rampant and, even though more people weren’t killed, attempted murder remains a crime. Imagine a defendant in a criminal trial, “You’re honor, I may have said I wanted to kill them and I may have acted violently, but I failed in my attempt. Let me go…”. Please… As for the “killer” being given a free pass, when did the Republican party change from the party of law and order to the party that thinks police, in the face of risk of death or serious bodily injury, cannot respond with force?
THERE ISN’T A POINT
What’s the point arguing with someone still clinging to false claims?
In the meantime, one need only turn to Tucker Carlson for the truth. Not one he shared in his rantings to his loyal viewers and Trump sycophants, but what he shared with colleagues on January 4, 2021 regarding Trump’s presidency:
“We’re all pretending we’ve got a lot to show for it, because admitting what a disaster it’s been is too tough to digest. But come on. There really isn’t an upside to Trump.”
Yet others cling to the myth that this guy knew what he was doing, has no collusion issues with Russia, wasn’t trying to stay in office through illegal means, and was the great savior to America. And they, as I, no doubt continue to wait with baited breath for the Trump plans for healthcare and the Iranian threat.
For more on Tucker Carlson’s real opinions, check this out: Carlson's behind the scenes opinions...
Have a good day,
Glenn
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