Breathe in, Breathe Out!

 

 

Did you watch the inauguration or festivities this week? I did and thoroughly enjoyed seeing just how normal it all appeared. On Facebook, many of my friends were saying, “I can finally breathe again” or “I slept through the night last night!”. It seems that a good part of America had been figuratively holding its breath for most of the last five years. But the event showed pomp and circumstance with marching bands, singing entertainers, and an amazing young poet (read the poem here). Even though the ex-president broke the precedent and did not appear, the vice-president did show up to represent the former administration. The Capitol Building had been cleaned and polished up; flags and buntings still festooned its West Front, even as some broken windows had not yet been replaced. 

 

The new President spoke of unity and stopping this uncivil war in his remarks; he spoke out against racism and white supremacists and for democracy. He remarked that we have seen how fragile our democracy can be. He spoke of how important it is to repair the damages which have been done by the insurrectionists but also to move forward to solve some big problems, such as the coronovirus, the economy, and climate change. He noted also injustices and inequities which need to be corrected and the importance of working together as one nation. He stated that democracy did not die but will thrive and move forward on his watch and asked all to join him in repairing this nation. He pledged to be truthful and to leave this a better country for our children. It was a speech quite different from that of his predecessor.

 

The scars from the insurrection are still not healed as troops continue to stand in the streets of Washington DC and the FBI is still arresting and charging as many of the domestic terrorists as they can identify. They are working to clean up the ‘carnage’ which came about at the urging of the former president who had promised to do away with ‘carnage facing this nation while puzzling many in his audience. However, the miles and miles of seven foot fences with razor wire are coming down and traffic is again starting to flow on DC streets.

 

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is sending the Article of Impeachment to the Senate for a trial, now scheduled to start on February 8th. Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-8th) will lead the team from the House in the presentation of the issues in the article which deals primarily with the insurrection.

 

Additional causes for concern have been trickling out in the news this week. The New York Times and Washington Post both reported on an attempted coup at the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the former president after the failed call to the Georgia election officials mentioned in previous posts. An attorney in the civil division (Jeffrey Clarke), known to a Pennsylvania Congressman (Scott Perry – R- PA- 8th ), supported the “stop the steal” efforts and met with the president after the introduction by the Congressman. Together they came up with a letter intended to force the Georgia officials to reopen the election results with a possible impending DOJ investigation. When the acting Attorney General (Jeffrey Rosen) refused to agree and sign this letter, the president planned to fire him and replace him with Attorney Clarke. All of the senior attorneys in the Justice Department subsequently met on a conference call and agreed to resign if this coup succeeded. (Remember that this was all taking place right after the time the former Attorney General Barr had resigned.) In the end, both Clarke and Rosen met with the president and tried to sell their point of view, much like the Apprentice TV show, it was reported. Finally, the president backed down.  

 

Also coming to light is the sudden resignation of the US Attorney in Atlanta - again right after the Georgia phone call. Byung “B-Jay” Pak resigned without comment, but it has been reported that he refused to call for an investigation into the Georgia results as urged by the White House. It appears that there were no limits which the president would not explore in an attempt to change the Georgia results. 

 

But I still do not understand why – since even if he succeeded in overturning the Georgia results, he would still not have enough Electoral College votes to get to the critical number of 270. Perhaps he thought that if he could turn one state, others would follow; perhaps he was trying the same elsewhere, it is still not clear. It seems to me to be an insane effort for little gain. Maybe this is why he incited the insurrection; it is as if he truly thought that he could interrupt what everyone else thinks of as an inevitable and pro forma vote.

 

Meanwhile, Democrats in Pennsylvania are now calling for the Freedom Caucus member Scott Perry, just re-elected in November, to resign for his participation with the attempted coup. Perry has a military background and served in the National Guard in Iraq and carries the rank of Brigadier General, (ret.). Perry had previously voted against a resolution in Congress that condemned QAnon as a terrorist group. The FBI has labeled the group potential domestic terrorists, but the former president accepted their support, claiming that they liked him, although he said he knew little about them. QAnon members were active in the insurrection against the Capitol.

 

Meanwhile, back at the White House, President Biden is signing Executive Orders undoing several of the previous administration policies. He has canceled the Keystone pipeline, re-joined the Paris Climate Accords, and again became a nation-member in the World Health Organization. He has canceled the Moslem nation travel bans and started a query for the missing separated immigrant children, among other issues. He has also mandated the wearing of masks in all Federal buildings and on all transportation venues. The White House Pressroom is again having briefings and taking press questions. Administration officials are meeting with the press and Dr. Fauci is no longer banned from appearing on certain Television shows. He seemed happy and liberated when he appeared in the briefing room on Thursday to discuss the efforts against Covid by the new administration.

 

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I was moved that the incoming President held a memorial service on the evening before his inauguration for the more than 400,000 people who have succumbed to this virus. Finally, a national mourning to recognize the sacrifice of so many and the sorrow which has spread across the country! The Service was held at the Lincoln Memorial and marked by short speeches from President-elect Biden and VP-elect Harris, inspirational songs, and the illumination of 400 lights along the reflecting pool. At the same time, the National Cathedral Bell tolled 400 times – one peal for every 1000 deaths. Case numbers passed the 25 million figure, even as the virus was said to be showing a slight plateau. Hospitals, which lag those numbers, are still being overcome with admissions for COVID. Long time ‘King of Talk’ – Larry King, was said to have died of Covid this week at the age of 87. This week marks one year since the city of Wuhan, China was locked done due to the Coronovirus.  What a year we have now experienced!

 

COVID stats – New York Times 1/24/21

Total US cases: 25,166,500. New cases: 167,954.  

Total deaths: 419,077. New deaths: 3,322.

Maryland total cases: 339,307. New cases: 2,392. Total deaths: 6,837. New deaths: 45.

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According to several reports, Congressional members are being met with death threats when they are out and about and continue to be harassed at times. Security has been arranged for many members. The National Guard troops stay in DC has been extended into March as there are some expectations of disruptions during the Senate impeachment trial. However, MD Congressman Andy Harris (R- MD- 1st ) was stopped by the metal detectors recently installed at the House entries, when he tried to bring a gun onto the House floor last week. Harris, who voted against certification, almost came to blows with an opposing Congressman during the certification vote. Just the person who should not be carrying, it seems to me! Other members who wished to carry guns, were also seen trying to avoid the detectors recently. The detectors have been strengthened and fines will be instituted for avoiding the sensors in the future, so stay tuned, as they say.

 

Finally – in conclusion – just in case you did not get a chance to see the fireworks and hear Katy Perry sing on Inauguration evening– here is your chance. Enjoy!

 

‘Til next week – peace.