Unfortunately, because of my deadline, I’m writing this before the Presidential Inauguration. Meanwhile, I’m so worried about more white supremacist mob violence that, even though I’m an atheist, I’ve even prayed on it. (I’m not to sure to whom and if she’s listening.)
During the last hours of Donald Trump’s presidency the U.S. surpassed 400,000 Covid deaths. (Remember when he wanted to open up the country last Easter?) However in a “farewell” video on YouTube, Trump said of his one term, “We did what we came here to do.” (I’m assuming he meant attacking the problem of low-lush toilets.)
While it doesn’t appear Trump pardoned himself or his family, he did grant pardons to rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black and also to Steve Bannon. (Not a rapper but may be considered a gangster or a fraudster.) The total number of pardons and commutations is expected to top 150 amid allegations Trump’s allies received from tens of thousands of dollars to $2 million for lobbying on behalf of wealthy clients seeking clemency. (One can only imagine the kickback arrangements.)
Among the last insiders to visit Trump was former self-admitted cocaine addict and current multimillionaire, Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow. In his hand, Lindell held bullet points of what he wanted to discuss with Trump. A telephoto lens captured some of the words including “Martial law,” “Insurrection Act” and “Trigger emergency powers.” (Those were Mike’s words. Mine is...yikes!)
In the meantime, however, the FBI, fearing a Qanon or other domestic terrorist group “inside job” vetted the 25,000 National Guards protecting D.C. and the Biden-Harris Inaugural. Rumor is if a Guard passed the vetting, he or she was given back their automatic rifle and a My Pillow. (Okay, I made that part up but Lindell did complain that because of his baseless claims the election was stolen from Trump, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kohl’s have discontinued selling his brand.)
Frankly, I’m still reeling from the horrific January 6th attack on the Capitol by people who call themselves patriots. I’d call them un-American. Their carrying a confederate flag into the chamber had never been done even during the Civil War, not to mention replacing the American flag with a Trump flag.
Keep in mind, the anti-Trump Women’s Rights March in 2017 in D.C. and all across the country attracted millions of peaceful protesters. It was the largest single day march in U.S. History and yet so non-violent not one person was arrested.
The Trump mob, however, brutally murdered a cop by beating him to death with a fire extinguisher and were apparently hoping to hang Mike Pence, assassinate Nancy Pelosi and, given all the zip ties, were planning on taking hostages. One of the domestic terrorists was wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” sweat shirt and others had 6MNE on t-shirts. (The lettering standing for the concept “6 million Jewish holocaust deaths were not enough.”)
That reminds me of the powerful video Arnold Schwarzenegger posted shortly after the insurrection. He compared the disgusting Trump inspired riots to the Nazi inspired Kristallnacht (“Night of Broken Glass) where Nazi Brownshirts smashed windows of over 7,500 Jewish stores and 200 synagogues.
Once securely in power, however, Hitler had his SS and Gestapo kill the Brownshirts in the “Night of the Long Knives,” which gave the public impression he was cracking down on lawbreakers. It’s disturbingly similar to the rally on January 6th, where Trump incited the crowd to march to the Capitol, adding“I’ll be with you.” (Of the diabolical violence even Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy have said Trump bears some responsibility.)
Instead, Trump returned to the White House and reportedly watched the chaos with glee. That said, he complained that the insurrectionists looked “low class,” as if their crime was violating seditious dress code.
After the violence quelled and upon receiving blow back from Senate Republicans, Trump finally tweeted the mob, “Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!” (Hopefully seventeen GOP Senators will remember it at the upcoming impeachment trial.)
Both Brownshirts and Maga practiced the “Big Lie.” That was Hitler’s Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbels’ theory that the bigger the lie and the more often it’s repeated, the more it will be believed. A good example is the baseless claim the 2020 election was rigged. If so, why did Republicans do so well in the House and Senate? And, when grilled by a Pennsylvania Judge, why did Rudy Giuliani admit, “This is not a fraud case, your honor.”
With dogs, every year is equivalent to seven human years. With Trump now gone his four years feels like ten. While hope is in the air, it won’t be easy for Biden and Harris facing the pandemic, the economic downturn, climate change and racial inequality. (You’ll forgive me if I ignore low-flush toilets.)
PLEASE go to YouTube and type “Bette Midler Goodbye Donnie,” followed by “Katy Perry Firework Inaugural,”and lastly, “Amanda Gorman Inaugural Poem.” Jack is at: jackdailypress@aol.com
