[0x1F8B]

I agree with you. I think there is something wrong with the way we are reacting to these people and it's ratcheting up every day. I personally think they are deplorable and retrograde and, above all, willfully ignorant. But there is something wrong with this entire system and the path forward feels as untenable as the path we've been on.

There has to be a detente, but I would never suggest that amongst my orbit of people. The language of the moment is so loaded, I'd probably be called a bootlicker. At the same time I had friends calling for the gunning down of these people as they overran the Capitol.

It's very hard to reconcile all of this turmoil.

[mattm]

I agree. I'm left leaning and if I read Reddit I see the same hateful arguments that people on the other side of the political spectrum use. The words may differ but the arguments are the same.

[busterarm]

You have two sides in ideological conflict that are fundamentally unwilling to let the other deescalate.

With neither being allowed to back down, either conflict or subjugation at a national scale are inevitable.

I feel that we have a very short window left to rectify this sentiment lest we be in a completely failed state. Sadly becaue of COVID, it's very difficult to move countries at the moment. I do not plan on sticking around to see what happens though.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

Had we known each other, I'd have been one of those friends who might have said "gun them all down".

But ... to whatever extent I really meant that (and I really don't know what that extent is, though I do know that the sight of the confederate flag inside the US Capitol made my blood boil) ... I didn't do that. I didn't order anyone to do that. I didn't encourage anyone to do that. I didn't even go on social media and suggest it.

Meanwhile, while I was feeling whatever I was feeling, two pipe bombs were carried into the Capitol building. Windows were smashed, offices ramsacked, and there may (just may for now) have been much more serious intent on the part of some of those who got in (reports about plans to abduct various members of congress, not sufficiently confirmed yet).

So please, let's stop with the whataboutisms and the both-sides-do-it nonsense. Yes, there's blame for most things in this country to be distributed across both political parties. But equating some of our angry, privately voiced feelings about a violent attack on the US Capitol with ... a violent attack on the US Capitol ... just seems nonsensical to me.

[filoeleven]

Two clarifications without further comment.

The pipe bombs were left at the RNC and DNC headquarters, not inside the capitol building.

I have not heard any reports of plans to abduct members of Congress being audibly discussed during the riot. Someone in paramilitary gear with a handful of heavy-duty zip ties was photographed in the senate chamber though, and there have been reports of the mob chanting “hang pence.” A gallows was erected outside the building.

[Rapzid]

I had an initial reaction along the lines of "Why didn't they use more force"(to put it mildly), but after the initial reaction and reflecting on it more I believe the officers on the scene did admirably given the circumstances and the overwhelming numbers they were dealing with.

We try to do things different in the west; we don't just massacre protesters or even rioters if we can help it. That's always how it goes, but that is how we try to do it, isn't it? The only thing that mattered, and the officers primary mission, was securing the members of congress and the VP. After that it was human life.

[0x1F8B]

There is no whataboutism coming from me. You are welcome to point out where I've advocated for such a thing.

For the last four years there has been a constant refrain that we need "adults in the room". Right now more than ever, we do. For some people the chickens are coming home to roost and I'm just saying -- we -- and by "we" I mean reasonable people -- should avoid our worst tendencies in this moment, even privately.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

There are adults in the room. I'm not sure why you can't see that.

Sure, they may be adults who are also bought and paid for by powerful and rich interests, but the adults are here and have been all along.