You must research and believe in facts and truths

To the Editor:

I am disappointed at the lack of understanding exhibited by Republicans and a local GOP leader who stated with regard to the recent attack on our nation’s Capitol that he was disgusted because “All the Left wants to do is bitch and complain about how people went down and rioted, but where were they for eight or nine months when all the rioting and shit was going on burning cities down?” [“County GOP chair condemns Capitol violence, likens it to BLM ‘riots’”]

This attitude amongst Trump supporters clearly demonstrates that they lack the ability to utilize the power of critical thinking. This is taught throughout elementary school and high school.

Critical thinking is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. The important word in that definition is objective. In order to be objective, the concept of truth must be independent from individual feelings and opinions.

Fact is, Trump supporters attacked our Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 and committed insurrection against the United States of America.

That is very different from the peaceful BLM protests. Yes, some of those protests were accompanied by criminals who looted and burned. Democrats want criminals arrested and brought to justice.

Those crimes don’t rise to the level of the Trump insurrection on our Capitol. Insurrection is defined as a rebellion or uprising and refusal of obedience or order. It’s an open resistance against the orders of an established authority.

In this case, that authority is our United States government. Trumper Republicans have bragged that they are the “Party of Law and Order.” The actions of Jan. 6 have proved that to be another lie.

Trump supporters were conducting and attempting a full-blown coup or coup d’état, which is the removal of an existing government and our elected leaders from power through violent means. This was an illegal and unconstitutional endeavor to seize power not only from Democrats but also from the Trumpers own part of elected Republicans.

The Trumpers were chanting “Hang Mike Pence” — their own Republican vice president!

This insurrection and attack on our democracy and Constitution was clearly incited by our Liar in Chief, (ex)President Donald Trump, his crony Rudy Giuliani, and supported by many of our elected Republican leaders. People died as a result of their influence over Trump’s followers.

Four years of lying and sowing doubt in our elections by Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican enablers, and others have been a clear example of how fascism can slowly take over and infiltrate our democracy.

Fascism is a form of far-right authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society. 

Now, explain how that does not describe Trump and his followers’ actions on Jan. 6 as they tried to take over our United States Capitol and bring down the results of our recent presidential election!

By definition, Trump and his supporters are fascists. 

I thought all Americans were anti-fascists. Mussolini was a fascist who gave lessons to Adolf Hitler.

Trump and his followers tried to suppress our democracy by force. They perpetuated lies and made false claims until they themselves, and their followers, believed their own untruths.

They lacked the ability to exercise critical thinking and thus believed the false assertions of a rigged election while still lacking any evidence that could make a difference. 

The Republican Party’s response to the Trump insurrection reminds me of a quote from a Civil War movie called Cold Mountain, in which a woman said, “Every piece of this war is man’s bullshit; they call this war a cloud over the land, but they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say, ‘Shit it’s raining!’”

Trump supporters need to think about what they are doing to this country. You are part of the division in America.

Donald Trump is a wanna-be fascist who has lied to you. You should not base your beliefs on a spineless con-man and his cronies. You must research and believe in facts and truths that are well supported by trustworthy resources.

Use critical thinking!

Treat others as you want them to treat you!

Timothy J. Albright

Meadowdale

 

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