The RNC votes to censure GOP Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger

Thought for the day

Sadly, I wasn't suprised the Republican National Committee voted earlier today to censure Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.  Their crime?  Participating on the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.  

What was shocking, however, was the national committee's characterization of last year's riot on the steps of the U.S. Capitol as "legitimate political discourse."   

Who are they kidding?  There was absolutely nothing legal about what the more than 700 people, who have been arrested and charged with crimes, did when they attacked and injured 140 police officers or smashed windows, broke down doors and ransacked the halls of Congress.  If the rioters' collective actions were legitimate, then I'm an astronaut.  

Some in Congress, like Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, have said Jan. 6 was just a “normal tourist day” at the Capitol.  Don't believe him.  I worked on Capitol Hill 50 years ago.  A "normal day" back then consisted of two constituents quietly dropping by our office to speak with my boss.  There never was a day like Jan. 6 when insurgents ran through the Rotunda carrying a Confederate Flag, wearing neo-Nazi shirts or shouting "Hang Mike Pence."  

At this point, there is nothing I, as a lifelong Democrat, can say to change how or why Republicans are behaving the way they are.  I'm afraid that unless or until thousands of GOP elected officials and major party donors publicly demand the Republican National Committee reverse course, democracy's days truly are numbered.  In my opinion, February 4, 2022, will forever be known as the day the Party of Lincoln officially became the Party of Lawbreakers.  

I hope I am wrong, but it looks to me like this great American experiment of ours is about to unravel before our very eyes. I wonder what Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are thinking now?

-DF