----- "It was wrong" ... but it is their culture!
What happened in Washington was not the death knell of democracy. Violence is completely antithetical to the concept of freedom-of-expression and will never be acceptable, regardless the cause it claims to support. So, why did that crowd run amok? President Trump's remarks may well have been the spark that set them off. But what made them so receptive to the idea of wreaking havoc? Why had some travelled long distances, at significant expense, to be there? They wanted to be heard. They worried that a triumvirate of Democratic House, Senate, and President would be deaf to their concerns.
There is a great deal of pent-up anger and frustration among that half of the population of the US that the other half doesn't consider “woke”. They're not children of a lesser God; but, yes, they do march to a different drummer. They have their own outlook on life; they place greater value on independence, self-reliance, and community. They're more inclined to help their neighbors with personal intervention than with a cheque. Their concept of society is more individualistic than group-oriented. They're more comfortable knowing fewer people, but knowing them better. Also, they're not so inclined to buy into the latest fads.
Above all, they don't much care for those who consider them hicks, rednecks, and “deplorables”. They take umbrage at being referred to as fascists, racists, xenophobes, misogynists etc.. They don't fancy hearing that their culture should be “cancelled”, that their heroes were scoundrels, guilty of horrific crimes, and that their statues should be torn down.
What the rioters did in Washington cannot be excused; it was wrong. But, in planning for a better future, it might be wise for Americans, and citizens of other democracies, to pause and give more thought to the wishes of those who may not see the world as they do and feel perfectly able to enjoy life without much of the help some seem to think government can and should force upon them.
Ronald Lefebvre
Alymer
