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Wednesday, January 6, 2021

 The state of the nation is not sound.

When a sitting president of the United States incites his followers to break into the Capitol building and wreak havoc -- and that's perfectly fine with many Americans -- our national experiment is in trouble.

What happened today is entirely unprecedented. One of the reasons other nations look to the United States as a beacon of freedom is that for more than 200 years, the country has had a peaceful transfer of power. Even during wars. During economic crises. During a civil war, for God's sake.

When's the last time the Capitol building was breached? In 1814, when British troops commandeered the place during the war of 1812.

What's all the more shocking is the incitement is based on lies -- that the November election was stolen.

As an amateur student of history (amateur because I don't get paid to read history) it's entirely unprecedented.

I had been watching the Electoral College count in my hotel room and realized it was so boring I needed to get oxygen and food and caffeine or I would pass into a coma. This despite a huge family fight in the room next to me. (One dude wanted to take something, another dude was like, "I need it," the first dude was like, "For what?" and the second dude was like, "To wipe my ass." That's when I put the music buds in my ears.)

By the time I arrived at a cheap area restaurant, the incursion into the Capitol had begun. I watched at various places for hours, shocked at each breach of history and decorum. 

I'm still watching the news and expect worse. Worse than violence? Death? Vandalism? Treason? Sedition? Pipe bombs?

Yes.

Clearly anything goes now.

And I don't know what else to write now but I'm working on ideas for solutions that I'll share Thursday.

Peace and more peace unto you my brothers and sisters.


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