Lessons of Jan. 6 Riot at Capitol

Editor’s note: Welcome to the new year’s first roundup of letters from Daily Signal readers, culled from The mailbag at [email protected]—Ken McIntyre

Dear Daily Signal There is something to be said about President Joe Biden’s disdainful address to our nation regarding the riot that took place a year ago at our Capitol (“Fact-Checking 4 Claims From Biden’s, Harris’ Jan. 6 Speeches“).

Biden spoke out about former President Donald Trump and his followers lying, as if he wasn’t the one who lies with impunity. He had the audacity to say, “Democracy was attacked a year ago today” and “We are in a battle for the soul of America.”

How could he be fighting to save America’s soul, when he caused many Americans and their allies in Afghanistan to perish at the hands of Taliban?

Biden then went on to name many wars fought so that we could exercise our right to vote. He forgot to mention that we fought against communism as well as dictators who would enslave our country.

He had the unmitigated gall and to declare that those who entered Capitol and rioted were guilty of an act insurrection to overthrow the government. Joe, what about using the Logan Act to go after Gen. Mike Flynn, a national security advisor, to undermine Trump’s presidency?     

As a Marine squad leader in Vietnam I know that there were thousands of veterans at the Jan. 6th 2021 rally, which quickly turned into a riot. I was a Marine squad leader in Vietnam, so I know that there were thousands of vets at the Jan. 6, 2021 rally. It turned into a riot.

Biden claimed that the terrorists responsible for the dirty work were terrorists. It was as if they had a well-thought out plan. You can see that the terrorists who attacked our embassy in Benghazi in Libya in September 2012 had a plan. They brought small arms, mortars, rockets, and small arms with the intent of killing our ambassador, and some of his guards. 

Biden’s claim that he is there for democracy and the people of the country is what really irritates me. Tell that to all those you left behind in Afghanistan to die, President. Tell it to all those who lost their lives and property because Black Lives Matter was allowed to burn down our cities by Antifa anarchists.

It is not true that you are available for us. Your actions, or lack thereof, speak volumes.—Gregory J. Topliff Warrenville, S.C.

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There is no doubt that Star Parker’s commentary article on the first anniversary of the Capitol riot is straight and to the point regarding America as it is today (“What Jan. 6 Focus Is Really About“). 

The real question is whether we will now assume the rule of government that is modeled upon Russia, China, North Korea, Venezuela, and so forth, where “elections” are allowed and the new political “Politburo” of America continues with its present course. 

After the “elections,” the former America will be thrown upon the trash heap of history, much like other experiments in government by the citizens, not by fiat.—Wiley LeBrun, Texas

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The Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol is our Reichstag fire (“6 Things to Expect From Jan. 6 Committee in 2022“). Like the 1933 German riot, this one was allegedly staged for political gain. It has been used to flout the Constitution and abuse it.

It seems to me that the peaceful crowd was populated with federal agents-provocateurs. The black-clad Antifa shock forces forcibly broke through Capitol windows and doors and assaulted officers.

“The Jan. 6 committee reportedly plans to recommend improving U.S. intelligence gathering …,” Fred Lucas writes.

So are we looking at the formation of a Gestapo with a remit to arrest political opponents and to crush conservative voices?—Keith Breedlove, Groveland (Fla.

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Elections must be rigged and run with complete honesty if this country is to survive. The Trump-Biden election was totally unacceptable.—Louis Pratt

Americans Have the Freedom to Choose

Dear Daily Signal I appreciated Virginia Allen’s podcast discussion with Jay Sekulow, who has fought the good fight on so many important issues (“Jay Sekulow Explains Vaccine Mandate Cases Before Supreme Court“). He is a major reason why the American Center for Law and Justice is a great organization.

That being said, I am concerned about the implications of some of Mr. Sekulow’s commentary. COVID-19 has been politized, that is obvious. We have a divided nation over these vaccine injections. Many were first in line, but many others are determined to refuse them. 

Geopolitically we are seeing a worrying trend. Governments are moving past coercion and into the imprisonment of those who are now considered to be dangerous to the nation due to their moral or medical decision to not take the injections.  Some are against the injections because they disagree with their morality. 

Precedence requires that Americans have the freedom to make their own decisions. They have never had the need to justify their reasoning. We are free, under God.

We do not have an Ebola-like virus. COVID-19 has not shown any signs of persecution, coercion, or other draconian measures despite our horrific losses. Despite this, many are losing their jobs and feeling anxious due to the relentless promotion and propaganda surrounding these injections. 

The unvaccinated are being sexy and this is only getting worse. This is a dangerous situation which must be stopped.  History has proven this. Bottom line:  Government doesn’t have the right, nor is it indicated, to coerce or try to force people to take an experimental injection with worrisome side effects and unknown long-term side effects. 

This is especially true for children who are not likely to become ill from COVID-19 and are not efficient spreaders of disease. Children are at greater risk from COVID-19 vaccine shots due to the risk/benefit ratio.

Human rights trump federal or state’s rights. I am concerned that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has failed to emphasize the human right not to be subject to medical experimentation. It has also focused on whether it has such a right. Human beings are under God’s free will to say yes or no for any medical treatment. No federal agency nor state has jurisdiction over a person’s sovereign body.—Kate, Rhode Island

This and That

Dear Daily Signal If ever there were a basis to remove appointed or elected officials from office, this should serve (“It’s Illegal, Immoral, and Unconstitutional to Ration COVID-19 Treatments Based on Race“). It’s gross malfeasance, as described by GianCarlo Canaparo and Hans von Spakovsky, and should result in impeachment of President Joe Biden.

Biden has his anti-impeachment, carefully chosen insurance: Vice President Kamala Harris (Vice President) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Backup to Protect him).

This has been a flaw in the executive branch from the 1960s, in “affirmative action,” in quotas elsewhere, in military promotions based upon race rather than competence.

All of these things tell the people that we can’t govern ourselves. This is the worst outcome. Worst because that is what the communist “liberation armies” used to turn populations to distrust, and then to avoid helping their legitimate governments, from Greece through Indo-China and China.

And where is the Supreme Court? Asleep? Or agreeing with it all?—Al Callender, Cookeville, Tenn.

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Maybe I’ve missed such commentaries before, but Terris Todd finally highlights just a fraction of the African-American successes and contributions to Western civilization and American culture (“Black American Triumphs Outweigh Our Tragedies“).

These things are not something we hear from the mainstream media. I also wonder how much of it is taught in public schools, even during Black History Month. Their philosophies and messages, in addition to the historical events surrounding Frederick Douglass Jr. and Martin Luther King Jr. should be at the forefront of any teachings about them. 

I was raised in the era of MLK, and I certainly don’t see his message playing out in the recent protests and the so-called justifications of critical race theory. Instead of unity and acceptance, it’s all about dividing, subdividing, and sub-subdividing. I pray for a cultural reset that will save us.—James King, Indiana

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Here’s my comment on Douglas Blair’s excellent article headlined “8 College Professors Canceled by Left.” If any other country wants to use our once-beloved Constitution, just go ahead. We aren’t using it.—Dave Norby Sun Prairie, Wis.

The Daily Signal is open to all perspectives. This article is not meant to represent the views of The Heritage Foundation.