Has civility disappeared completely from our political discourse?
What happened yesterday in our nation’s capitol went far beyond the rights of free speech and protest. As violent thugs barged their way into the Capitol Building disrupting the election certification process, U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives scrambled to safety.
Rioters left a trail of desecration and debris smashing and looting their way through the hallowed halls of our legislative branch.
This is NOT the way we do things in our country. To say I am appalled is an understatement. Horrified. Bewildered. Angry at how this could happen – and did happen – goaded by the rantings of a truly disturbed individual who happens to be the current President of the United States.
But leaders of the U.S. Congress on both sides of the aisle are made of stern stuff. To make a point, the Senate and House of Representatives reconvened last night to finish what they started: certifying the Electoral College results for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Watching the televised proceedings last night from the Senate as members gave impassioned speeches with collective abhorrence of what happened in their midst, unity reigned for once (in a long time.) Civility also reigned as both sides of the aisle gave Vice President Pence a standing ovation for doing his duty under considerable duress.
“To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today, you did not win. Violence never wins; freedom wins; and this is still the people’s house.” Vice President Mike Pence
Attacks on our nation’s Capitol – of the like not seen since the War of 1812 – will not deter the democratic processes of our country.
At the end of a long day the results of the November 2020 election were finally certified by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives at 4 a.m. this morning. Joe Biden will become the 46th President of the United States on January 20th.
Who knew a largely ceremonial day tallying votes would turn so destructively ugly?
I don’t care which political party you belong to or who you voted for, it’s time to stand up and build bridges of understanding in our communities. It’s time to stop labeling and start listening to folks who may not share our views.
Working overseas in one conflict zone after another, one of the things I treasured most when returning home is our diversity. To me that is something we should celebrate, something that makes our country strong, what makes us Americans – a melting pot of cultures, religions, ideas, and ethnicities.
Where freedoms many people around the world have never glimpsed are the rule, not the exception.
‘Tis true challenges of monumental proportions face us today, but we still have so much to celebrate, so much that unifies us as Americans.
It’s not “us” and “them” – it should be “we.” In this melting pot of America where dreams intermingle with possibilities, let’s not segment our dreams as Democrats or Republicans or let our differences divide us.
Let us all of every stripe and hue become “we” again. Let’s dream together and work together so what happened yesterday will never happen again.
YOU + ME = WE
We are all in this together.
grace, peace & unity
Virginia
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.” J.K. Rowling
Roses in the Rubble 
Truly is sad, but not unexpected.
Blame Trump (who invited folks to a a legitimate peaceful protest) yet ignore the Dems who tolerated/supported/promoted actual violence, mayhem and destruction in our cities and against the police all summer long? Remember, too, that Kamala actually promoted a fund to bail out violent protesters to get them back on the streets and literally promised there would be more of it (can find it on video). Where was the Dem and MSM outrage then?
I saw many conservatives rightfully call for prosecution and ID of the offenders yesterday, regardless of whether they were pro-Trump or antifa-related. This summer I did not see Dems doing that and, if so, it was likely rare and late if at all. (ID is key as the last thing Dems would want is a huge but peaceful rally in contrast to their summer “rallies”.)
Sad. Truly sad. And the MSM will fuel misinformation and censorship just as they did prior to the election.
But to end on a positive note, two of my favorite Bible words are “But God” . . . He knows and is likely, after much patience, judging this country for literally allowing and even promoting heinous sins within a political party’s platform. Time to fasten our spiritual seatbelts.
Hi Mark – Unity is hard when extremists on all sides use violence as a tool. Violence begets violence! I witnessed that up close and personal as a relief and development worker in conflict zones. Violence is just plain wrong no matter who or what ferments it. Painting those with differing views into a corner isn’t helpful much, either. With so many HUGE challenges facing our country it’s time for all of us to focus on being Americans and what unites us vs. what divides us.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” A good question to ask is how are we letting the peace of Christ flow through us to others (especially others with differing views?) Another challenge, are we praying for our leaders (all of our leaders, not just those who share our views?) Are we building bridges with bricks of Christ’s love?
Love tears down walls of indifference and prejudice, seeing our collective humanity in others: You + Me = WE!
I know we have differing views about things, Mark, but you are my brother in Christ (& brother by marriage as Mama always said!) Much, much love to you today!!! – Ginny
Watching everything going on yesterday broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I was raised to respect all authority, whether I liked them or not. I could never imagine behaving the way those people did at the White House. It almost makes me feel hopeless, like our country is dividing and falling apart. Where do we go from here? All I can do is pray about it and hope God is listening.
Michelle, the attack in the Capitol was shocking and flabbergasting! I think where we go from here is trying to be God’s love and peace wherever we are placed – to reach out in our communities, build bridges of understanding, listen to others – and most importantly, try to be the Love of Jesus in every way possible. Plus, pray, pray, pray, and pray some more! Blogging hugs – VA
I just finished commenting on BJ Brook’s post on this matter as well. It is just so sad and silly way to create issues and loss of lives. It is just lousy and bad. I hope USA heals and not continue to riot and cause additional internal strife when efforts should focus on managing the spread of Covid and bringing the economy back up again. Take care and I hope no more!!!
Hey GH, we here in the USA need lots of healing (not just from COVID!) It’s so insane with HUGE CHALLENGES fighting COVID and trying to rescue the economy that this debacle should happen now. We need to get back to the basics: loving our neighbor as ourselves! Blogging hugs to you!
Sending you and USA loads of Garfield Hugs and blessings⭐☀️⭐☀️🌝🌝🌈🌈🍀🍀🍃🍂
Preach it, Virginia. I find it interesting that at least one comment to your post has a “whataboutism” flavor to it; i.e. what about the violence done at BLM protests over the summer? The fact is, we should be horrified by ANY violent actions at ANY protest, regardless of the ideological perspective of the protestors.
What is sad to me is just how many Christians have bought into the conspiracy theories that led up to Wednesday’s insurrection at the Capital, QAnon being the chief one.. These are Christians who truly mean well, and want the best for our country, but sadly they have been hoodwinked into believing a certain set of “facts” that belong to some alternative universe, and not the the one we actually live in. God help us.
Clarke – I agree with you, all violence = BAD!
Thought you might appreciate this quote I read yesterday in one of my daily devotions from Pope John XXIII (now Saint John XXIII). He addressed this to world leaders:
“Abolish the resort to force: regard with alarm the possibility of setting in motion a chain reaction of events, judgements and resentments that might lead to rash and irreparable actions. Great power has been given you, but to construct, not to destroy; to unite, not to divide; to give work and security to everyone, not to cause more tears to flow.”
Keep in mind at our founding and into the 1800s where the tradition to let your representatives know of your disdain was to tar & feather them! However, what happened in DC was propagandize mob rule mentality, where one followed the leader of destruction.
Brother Murf, I completely forgot about tar & feathering – yikes! Maybe we can start a new trend – lose the tar, but make a symbolic dove feather art rating system for our elected leaders when they represent us well! Here’s hoping (& praying) for peace to prevail! 🕊🌟🕊🙏🕊
That is much of the problem today…we are not taught proper history. Even Jefferson said, “God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion… What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms… The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” (Ref: https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/tree-liberty-quotation) We all need to study history to prevent such repeating behavior of our ever growing government!