Do Overs

It was just another COVID project of painting our bedroom. Retirement and isolation allowed us to hit it hard to complete the project, but not hard enough that we felt pressured. Music was playing loud, and because of the political situation, we had the TV on with no sound. We would glance at the TV occasionally while passing through the living room. I was lying on the wooden floor painting trim when Kathy said, “They are attacking the Capitol!” My reaction was irritation because I was intently trying to paint trim, and it didn’t make sense at all. I reluctantly laid my brush down and tried to maneuver my body to reach the upright position to walk into the living room to see for myself. I could not believe my own eyes. It was a full-blown insurrection live on TV. This was no doubt a historical event taking place. My emotions were similar to what I had experienced during the first part of 9/11.—disbelief, sadness, then anger. I was interested in what Fox News reported because we live in a country with an alternative reality. The phrase I heard over and over was Antiva sprinkled through the crowd, inciting the violence we were witnessing firsthand. That immediately reminded me of Pat Robertson during 9/11, blaming gays. I could see immediately, even with reality playing out right in front, there would be an alternative reality because truth has become something that is not part of the daily constitution of some people’s reality. Now, that scares me more than anything. It scares me because it has kept me silent. I have tried so hard to balance my relationships with so many people who have disposed of the truth in this particular situation. They are, like myself, hardworking, family-oriented, good Midwestern people. I have been a liberal in a conservative community for a long time. I have watched as we have been incapable of discussing the issues ..Living in a conservative community, I know the importance of some particular issues and policies. I even agree with some of them, but the truth with no policy conversation is this. The 45th president of the United States lost the election. He incited an insurrection on January 6th. He has perpetuated lies and conned a large portion of the American people. The former President should not be allowed anywhere near any public office ever.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would experience an insurrection. And watch it unfold live. I just finished Liz Cheney’s Oath and Honor. I disagree with almost all her politics, but some things are more important now . She and numerous people who worked in the White House during the 45’s term say the same thing. The truth matters!