Last Thursday, apart from being the day after the plumber came, Tropical Storm Ida dumped on us, and the first day of September, the New York Times headlines were disturbing. I don’t have time to read many news stories in depth, but I glance at the headlines to inject just enough worry into my day. After discussing the flooding, Afghanistan, and a few other stories a particular quote caught my eye and kicked my gut: “Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, threatened to retaliate against technology companies that comply with the inquiry into the Capitol attack.” This was a bit much after reading how much suffering is going on in the world. Republicans threatening retaliation to keep the truth hidden in plain sight. Is there any term for this but moral bankruptcy?
I simply can’t understand how any moral Republican can hold their head up proud. I grew up Republican. I was conservative most of my way through college. I would never have stood up for a politician of either party that said “I’ll get you back if you tell the truth.” Lies are the most insidious of acts. How can you ever believe someone after they establish a reputation of being untruthful? How can you believe he actually does support your cause? How can you believe anything he says? Not only that, but threatening his own fellow Americans for wanting to find out what his party supported on January 6. There’s a reason the day is known as Epiphany—“the manifestation.” When truth becomes clear.
A political party that has nothing to offer but lies and violence has become an organ of organized crime. Perhaps our legislators should be given a dictionary open to the entry titled “perjury.” We now have Republicans who lie under oath to become Supreme Court justices. Who try to start rebellions with mobs ready to murder their colleagues and who then sit back and claim the rectitude of God Almighty when it’s over. What have we come to here? People were drowning in basement apartments and people were suffering loss of power and damaged homes. Republicans meanwhile were working up threats of retaliation against people for simply trying to get at the truth. The plumber did the job he said he would. Those who projected and tracked Ida told the truth to try to save lives and property. In the sewers of Washington, however, those loyal to the party vowed to keep their secrets safe.