Wednesday, January 6, 2021

The Big Lie in My Nation's Capitol

I have always been respectful of differing opinions. I try very hard to avoid politics on social media. Today's attack on the US Capitol is NOT differing opinions. It is an insurrection. The continuing support of statements by President Trump that President-elect Biden and the Democrats are trying to steal the election is NOT a different opinion. It is a Big Lie. The Big Lie is a tactic designed by Hitler and Goebbels to perpetrate their crimes. Continuing to claim this Big Lie while calling, on Twitter, for calm is a facade. President Trump with one hand stokes the fire with this Big Lie while whispering for calm. 

Let us NOT be mistaken as to who is leading this insurrection against our legally and democratically elected government. These are hate groups who would undermine all principles for which the United States stands. Nooses, t-shirts branded with "Camp Auschwitz" and Nazi salutes (I witnessed this during the live feed, shocking me to my core) illustrate this. 

Our Statue of Liberty is the Mother of Exiles bearing these words: 

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Those who support this illegal insurrection, align themselves with bigots, Nazis and other hate groups, and those who know not the true ideals of our nation. They stand with those who would see my family and other minorities dead. They deny the strength of our nation, the multitudes who immigrated and built our nation. They stand by violence over the rule of law. And, like those who stood by allowing sinat chinam to cause the Second Temple to be destroyed, they stand with those who would see our great nation fall. 

I have never feared before. But today, seeing a Nazi salute given on the lawn outside the Capitol my heart cried out, and fear struck me to my core. 

When I was a teen, a popular discussion was revolved around the question, "If America and Israel were at war who would you support?" It was never a question. The nations I love, my nations, shared foundational values that could not be at war with each other. Israel is not part of this discussion, but I am witnessing a change in my fellow citizens. I thank those leaders who stood by the Constitution and US values to verify the 2020 election. We won't all agree on many things, but we love the United States and the rule of law. Today my heart bled, but tonight I will hold on to hope that these people will prevail, that our nation will heal, and that I, and my children, will feel safe again in the nation of our birth, the nation we love.

1 comment:

  1. I received an email from a reader, and I'd like to clarify. I do not consider President Trump a Nazi. However, his actions regarding election fraud clearly follows the Big Lie tactic. This tactic has been used by many individuals and groups through history since its creation, not all of whom were on the same side.

    The President has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions in the Middle East. According to Wikipedia, "According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who in the preceding year 'shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'."

    Unfortunately, he's taken the position that no publicity is bad publicity and does not take action to condemn and separate himself from supporters who are Nazis. When one lies down with dogs, one rises with fleas. I imagine his actions of the past weeks will prevent him from receiving what would otherwise may have been well-deserved. What a shame his presidency could not have ended with great accomplishments instead of something that looks like sedition.

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