What unfolded in our nation’s capital on Jan. 6 was startling. To see protesters push through police barricades, break open windows and doors and flood through the nation’s Capitol building while lawmakers debated the merits of a highly controversial presidential election is unprecedented.
Then again, much of the last year has been shocking – especially with regards to violations of fundamental liberties and the impartial rule of law and order.
We cannot condone unjust violence or mob rule, but it is important to clarify what actually went down on Jan. 6 – and why.
First off, there were no burning buildings or toppled statues. No one took over a section of the city nor did looters tear through D.C. wreaking havoc on local businesses.
There were, however, hundreds of thousands of frustrated Americans who flooded the nation’s capital to protest what millions more believe was a sham election – stolen from President Trump through voter fraud, ballot mishandling and voting machine irregularities in at least six key battleground states.
Despite high emotions, the massive crowd was not a violent mob. Initially, they peaceably assembled to sing patriotic songs, listen to concerts and hear speeches, including one from President Trump. They then marched in orderly fashion to the Capitol building where, at one point, a tiny fraction decided to enter the halls of Congress. Video footage shows them pushing past police and walking through the building. Yes, they broke some windows, pried open a few doors, threw papers around several offices and sprayed a handful of fire extinguishers.
One police officer was hospitalized after getting pepper sprayed and assaulted by some protesters. A dozen other officers sustained minor injuries. Three people from the hundreds of thousands on hand died of unknown medical emergencies – one was a heart attack.
NBC reported that law enforcement officers also destroyed an improvised explosive at the Republican National Committee headquarters, but they were unsure whether the device was functional.
One unarmed protester – a 35-year old Air Force vet – was fatally shot in the neck by Capitol Police while she attempted to enter the House chamber along with others.
That was the scope of the conflict, and six hours later order was restored, the massive crowd outside the Capitol building had peacefully dispersed, legislators resumed counting electoral votes and ultimately certified Joe Biden as president elect.
While we don’t support the few individuals who acted violently on Jan. 6, it is critically important to understand why the vast majority of protesters ever bothered to fly to D.C. in the first place.
Ultimately, they don’t know what else to do.
Evidence of election fraud (real evidence) was brought to light through surveillance video and sworn affidavits, but no court would permit an evidentiary hearing. No state legislatures have held serious investigations and tens of millions of Americans have since lost faith in the ability to elect their leaders at the ballot box.
This is a dangerous situation for any representative democracy. The peaceful transfer of power hinges on the people’s faith that their votes are fairly and securely counted. When this is drawn into serious question, desperation ensues.
I spoke with several Alaskans who attended the march. All are disheartened.
One young man – a military veteran from Anchorage – said that many marchers believe their elected representatives are unwilling to listen and respond to constituents, and that the traditional means of communication are no longer working.
“We have no confidence in the election process,” John Cunningham told me. “It’s really precious to us as Americans to choose our destiny – to guide the people who govern us through the ballot box, the jury box and the soap box. All of that is being taken away.”
He admitted this is new territory and he isn’t sure what the next step should be.
“Our options are becoming limited,” Cunningham said. “Most of the people I know don’t have a plan. We need to look back through history and see how this was dealt with in the past and how can we adapt for the present. What that is, I don’t know yet.”
This sentiment is shared by a growing number of Alaskans and Americans around the country. Pro-Trump protesters gathered outside numerous state capital buildings across the nation on Jan. 6 to express frustration with their elected officials. So far, it doesn’t appear lawmakers are listening.
Congress roundly denounced any suggestion by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to delay certifying the presidential election for just 10 days to allow state Legislatures to investigate election fraud. Cruz called it an insult to the tens of millions of voters who are deeply troubled by election irregularities.
“What does it say to the nearly half the country that believes this election was rigged if we vote not even to consider the claims of illegality and fraud in this election?” he said.
The leading political figures in Alaska were no exception. They were quick to denounce the storming of the nation’s Capital building, but said nothing about the core problem that brought such a large crowd to D.C. in the first place.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Rep. Don Young all issued strong statements against the few protesters who turned violent without ever acknowledging the deeper concerns about election fraud. All three refused to delay certification and ultimately voted to approve the election of Joe Biden.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Gov. Mike Dunleavy similarly remained silent on the issue of election fraud, saying, “These few extremists do not represent our values.”
This won’t cut it – not in D.C. and not in Alaska.
The only way to ensure the future safety of this nation and peaceful transfer of power in coming elections is to vehemently demand a full, exhaustive investigation into allegations of voter fraud and corruption. This will likely mean prison time for many and a massive unearthing of long-festering political corruption.
This effort must be unleashed at every level of government – from cities and boroughs to state legislatures to the highest levels of Washington. Half measures and empty platitudes will not do.
To be clear, our nation is at a very dangerous crossroads. Elected officials must fight with every ounce of strength they have to restore the people’s faith in their ability to choose and direct the destiny of this country.
Failure to act swiftly will only lead to greater unrest and ultimate disaster for our individual states and our great nation as a whole.
23 Comments
Well said!!
I agree with your comment that Joel has done a great job of explaining what needs to happen now and it is imperative that we follow up with an investigation. We should follow up because a) we don’t want the corruption to continue and b), we need to take responsibility for our part in this problem. One of the things that I seldom see is someone talking about who works for whom. All of those people in the three branches of government are paid by us in the form of our tax dollars. We are not accountable to them. We are accountable to each other under the rule of law. We hired them to do a job and that is to represent each area such that the uniqueness of each area is taken into account when establishing that law. This country was built with a common goal. One of those goals was to ensure that we did not live under tyranny. That is why we have the Bill of Rights. I would encourage everyone to read up on how bills are passed and what the duties of our elected officials are. If they aren’t doing their jobs- fire them. They are accountable to us.
We’re going to war no doubt now. This was just the dress rehearsal. No way they’re getting anybodies guns now. But the lead will be free.
Those in power will try more under our thumb and more lock downs and more fun control. My question to everyone ” where was all the security?” They knew thousands were coming. Even in the best of times, there will be stupid
Nancy critized the use of force against protesters who were looting and rioting not long ago. In the hero’s act she ask for money to defund the police. The liberals made it very clear to every cop they were not wanted. She got a tiny taste of what she wanted.
Yes! And you can bet they all have taxpayer funded security details now. The feds need to investigate voter fraud NOW!
Yes! And you can bet they all have taxpayer funded security details now. The feds need to investigate voter fraud NOW!
All Americans hold a passion and want for the best things for their families (those passions may have positive and/or negative effects on others). No one person or group is purely evil. Things can start out with good intentions, but have the ability to escalate. All of us have so many commonalities. I want to reach out not with my opinions of my party, but as a fellow human. With that said, I hope our commonalities in experiences of treatment and other areas can bring us together. There is unjust throughout our country. Some of our neighbors are paying higher prices, but we will never know if we don’t start having conversations and allow for openness, pause, and space for conversational partners to communicate their message. Sometimes you will have to agree to disagree with respect provided to both sides. These conversations are critical because you can’t have compassion for someone if you don’t know what they are going through, so I encourage everyone to reach out with an open heart and mind. It opened my eyes. I’d like to finish this statement off with a quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” MLK
These 4 are Traitors to the US and Alaska Constitiution and their voters…………………Young, Sullivan, Murkowski and Dunleavy. Never vote for them again, at least with Demonrats you know what your getting.
Elections are compromised, there are no more peaceful solutions available. We either fight back or descend into communism.
Our Senators and only Representative failed to take into account the frustration of their Constituents. I have come to expect it from Murkowski but Sullivan and Young because their lack of understanding of the Alaskans that have elected them to the National level will suffer the consequences in future elections. I have made my mind up that the next election in 2022 I will personally help remove Murkowski and Young to never serve Alaska again.
Yes! Massive corruption being masked and ignored for erroneous reasons so these cowardly officials comfortable with business as usual can keep up their game of bickering charades and extremist, wasteful banter while the heart of America withers and suffocates at the hands of these do nothings. And the few protesters that went overboard are the scapegoats to their reasons for certifying this fiasco of an election rather than the wake up call that should have been heard. I don’t condone raiding the Capital or attacking police (hypocritical and premature not to mention asking for violent response instead of seeking creative, intelligent pleas and outcry) Perhaps there should have been a Martin Luther in the mix, but unfortunately a few bad apples spoiled the cart further empowering this sham of a Congress.
So well written. I have received no response to my emails and phone calls to both Young and Sullivan, asking them to stand for freedom and liberty and get to the bottom of the election fraud.
I don’t expect one. And that means they have flushed and discounted my input and American values.
I am completely disheartened about the total disregard of one of the most basic and fundamental tenants in a free society: election integrity. Now where do we go from here? We can’t even get the Anchorage Assembly to do anything except show disdain and disrespect for their citizens.
I share completely your sentiments. Election integrity is a non-partisan issue and our supposed representatives failed in their most basic of duties. “Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends [securing the unalienable rights of the people endowed by their Creator], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Same here. Time to get new blood as our “representative”, including for Murkowski
Great article.
I also sent letters to Sen. Sullivan, Congessman Young and Sen. Murkowski and also have received and expect no response. They appear to condone removal of our right to a free and fair election and now, in addition, by the lack of their response, support elimination of our right to petition our government. While I would ordinarily advocate voting them out during the next Republican primary, ballot measure 2 and the widespread election fraud will likely put that measure out of reach of Alaska citizens.
I also am appalled at the lack of representation by all of Alaska’s “represenitives”
No response from any of them after asking for their involvement to help solve this election fraud
For what it’s worth I’m changing my affiliation back to independent as the R’s are dead to me
Biden will engage in a limited war with China and then surrender to China. Giving the Western US to China and the Eastern US to a UN Coalition. Think Vichy France when you look to our future, and yes most French cooperated with the Nazi Regime despite what movies depict. Same will be true here, except many more will be sent to labor camps to die, while drones now under CCP control take out resisters in their homes.
Very well written article. I don’t know how much it would help but I would suggest everyone please start calling/emailing our state representative. Let them know we need future elections to be free and fair. We need controversial machines to be disposed of and replaced or go back to how election were done prior. They have the power constitutionally to fix future elections and bring this country back together. But all of it have to start locally.
Let’s not forget that ONE judge also negated Alaska’s election laws by deleting the requirement for Absentee ballots to be witnessed by someone other than the voter! I have heard nothing about that.
OOPS, forgot to mention that this is against the Constitution of the US. ONLY legislators can make election laws, or change them.
Joel, I thought your article and your thoughts were well said, however I have a fundamental problem with your calculus of the situation.
Under normal circumstances I would agree with you regarding the need for civil discourse, “better ideas”, logic, reasoning, critical thinking (both inductive and deductive). Principles that established not only our constitution, but our very way of life by great thinkers like John locke, Thomas hobbes, Descartes, and yes the King James bible. All of these influenced our system of govt, and for good reason.
As conservatives, we always want to speak about civil discourse and winning on an intellectual level; with ideas. No one has addressed the fact that a silent war has been waged and is continuing to be waged on western civilization itself. Higher mathematics, art, music, engineering, the idea of critical thinking and logic. All products of western civilization. So, the natural next step is to destroy all objective thought. That is, if you want to do a political overthrow of a sitting president.
I could go on and on, but it boils down to this; voting matters or it doesn’t. It didn’t matter this time. So, from my point of view all conservatives should never vote again until Republicans start speaking our values.
Our 2 US senators, our 1 congressman, and our governor have all betrayed our state and their country. An election was stolen. That is an indisputable fact. We are in an age of tyranny. That is the situation. You cannot remedy that with civil discourse to people that do not respect the achievements of western civilization.
Did you really expect folks to sit back and take it? No, the British were destroyed by bullets, not discourse. The olive branch has been sent over and over. That is how entitled these folks are. That is how arrogant they are. After all these years we still cannot get our capital out of Juneau, or term limits.
What was extremely concerning was given all this outrage regarding this event, I didn’t hear a single note of condolence for the veteran that gave her life in the name of freedom.
After all the emails I have sent to every government official, not 1 fucking reply.
Over time I was able to contemplate why bush’s hang out with Clinton’s and why the Obama’s hang out with the bush’s. It’s because they are all globalist. In other words, we literally have zero representation. So, it’s time to stop voting, stop being patriotic and move as far away as you can.
When republicans and even you Joel condemn the acts of patriots, well lsocialism has already won.
I do wish the raiders were more competent and organized and possesed more tactical proficiency, but they were not wrong. You are not king George, and that building is not sacred. If history has shown us anything, it’s that anyo e can be killed. Wake up America! We are at war. The time for civil discourse is over. An election was just stolen! Brutus just murdered Ceasar! Socialism just won! Pick up your sword!
You know what name is mentioned here: Sicknick. Police officer, veteran. Killed by the rioters.