Moral Cowardice

Footage from last year’s insurrection has been hard to watch. The events of a year ago, and even more the moral cowardice on prominent display since then, pains me physically.   

One year ago, my roommate and I turned on the TV when we were alerted to the violence at the Capitol. Disbelieving, shocked at what we saw, she was crying, I was numb. One year later, I turned on the TV to watch the speeches and memorial services. I wish I could have ignored them but retreating into my shell wouldn’t make the awful truth go away.

I am bewildered. Is there truly that much greed, that much lust for power among elected leaders and Fox News commentators? How can Senators and Congressman whose lives were in danger refuse to investigate the people who organized the mob? Where is Vice President Pence’s voice? He insisted on the rule of law when he certified the election, but he has been silent about punishing the people who threatened to hang him. How can the majority of Republicans refuse to honor the officers who protected them, risking and in several cases giving their lives?  How can they pretend the violent crowds we all watched live, attacking police officers, smashing windows, and looting the people’s house were “tourists?” The outrageous lies proliferate, the liars create “alternative facts” with impunity. The puppet master continues to pull the strings from behind the curtain.   

Others have written about this more eloquently than I can, but I am afraid for the country I love.