January 8, 2021

The most agitated of times stumbles on. Five years ago many of us recognized Trump and Trumpism were inhumane and anti-American; those who portray themselves as discovering it now want praise, or at least forgiveness. Do we grant that forgiveness? What is the proper balance between justice and reconciliation? America erred mightily on the side of reconciliation after the Civil War– Confederate flags were borne proudly through the sacked Capitol two days ago. So, we have to fight and defeat the Confederacy and the Reich again and again. When do we forbear? When do we strike the killing blow? Personally I’m exhausted treating with reason those who glory in being unreasonable. To arrest, try, and imprison those who committed insurrection and treason does not seem extreme when merely written. Do we have the courage to do it? The sweep would include Congressmen, Senators, Presidents, TV savants. What is “free speech”– however idiotic–and what is subversion? We are almost certain to make the wrong choices for the right reasons.