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January 6th Insurrection: A Threat to Democracy Greater Than 9/11 [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-09-11
In the realm of American tragedies, the events of September 11, 2001, stand as a somber reminder of the indomitable spirit and resilience of our nation. The attacks on that day claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people and prompted a united front against terrorism. However, to compare the violence of 9/11 to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, is not an attempt to diminish the scale of 9/11 but to underscore the present danger our democracy faces.
While the loss of life on January 6 was limited, the attack on the very core of our democracy was no less severe. The violence that day was politically motivated, and as former FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress, it amounted to "domestic terrorism." Hundreds participated in the insurrection, and it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the results of a free and fair election—a fundamental pillar of our democracy.
The relatively low body count on January 6 cannot be attributed to the peaceful intentions of the insurrectionists. Instead, it is a testament to the bravery and restraint exhibited by Capitol Police officers, who put their lives on the line to protect our elected representatives. Had lawmakers not successfully fled, the outcome could have been much more tragic.
What is most troubling is the aftermath of January 6. Unlike the terrorists behind 9/11, who faced international condemnation and had no safe haven, those who incited and participated in the insurrection face no such fear. Instead, we witness former President Donald Trump plotting a political comeback, while Fox News attempts to rewrite the history of January 6. Furthermore, members of Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results are actively working to seize control of the legislative process for future elections.
The insurrectionists of January 6, just like the terrorists of 9/11, sought to tear down American democracy. They may disguise themselves as its defenders, but their actions reveal their true intentions. The ongoing division within the Republican Party, coupled with their refusal to denounce the "Big Lie," poses a grave threat to our democratic institutions.
While 9/11 claimed more lives than January 6, comparing the two is valid because the "Big Lie" is more insidious than the terrorists' medieval ideology ever was. It is a threat to our way of life, our democratic principles, and the future of our nation. We must confront this danger head-on, recognizing that chaos from within can be just as destructive as external threats. Our democracy depends on it.
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/11/2192790/-January-6th-Insurrection-A-Threat-to-Democracy-Greater-Than-9-11
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