“Yes,Twiggy it’s Friday.”
“Thank heavens. Didn’t think I would make it.”
“Why? What do you have to do?”
“Wait, Lucy, wait.”
“Blessed is he who stands and waits.”
“Well, I sat most of the time, and I’m a she.”
Twiggy gets her wish. Friday is here, and we are all glad. Before I forget I am also at Story Empire today. Here’s the link but come back.
This has been one heck of a start to 2021. We all witnessed an insurrection act that we haven’t seen since the British burned the Capital in 1814. The sight of those Proud Boy hooligans desecrating the House Chamber was enough to turn the stomach.
There was no excuse for this to happen. The Capitol Police had enough warning from the Hooligan in Chief that this could be a possibility. There were not enough officers placed at the Capital to maintain law and order. If the Capital Police didn’t think they had the human resources to do the job, then Federal troops were needed. I’m no lover of the conduct of Congress but seeing them having to scurry out of the place was a sick sight.
I’m betting that law enforcement needs the mandate to enforce. The sight of that Capital guard chased up a flight of stairs made me wonder how far we are willing to let unruly mobs go. You can draw comparisons to the BLM protests all day long and criticize the lack of Police action as much as you want. The fact of the matter is these thugs should never have gotten access to the Capital, and somebody better figure out why they did and fix the problem.
I’m hoping someone does an honest evaluation of the security needs for the inauguration and then takes the steps necessary to eliminate any mob rule threat. I would also hope that an exercise of the 25th Amendment will ensure that inside leadership of any seditious behavior will be absent.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our heritage. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Our Heritage by John W. Howell © 2021
Mocking the Congress,
Flaunting the laws of the land. . .
Not our heratige.
Fiction Favorites 
Wonderful Haiku, John. And I agree with your sentiments wholly. I was horrified at events. Have a good weekend and stay safe xx 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. Horrifying is a good description for sure. 😊
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Could not agree more, John…on all fronts. Hope you all have a peaceful weekend.
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We all need a peaceful weekend, Lori. Thank you and I hope you have one as well.
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Fully agree. Feels like the whole thing gets scarier and more confusing every time more info comes out.
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It is scary to see so many out of control. I’m so glad to see some of the cabinet members resigning too.
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Can you lend us some money? The printer in the office has gone kaput and the sports editor wants to photocopy his arse.
Pounds sterling only, please. As many as you can muster.
Thanks
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All I have in stock is copper. Sorry.
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In complete agreement with you. Wrapping you all in hope and much love, John. ❤
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Thank you, Jane. We all need more love for sure. ❤️
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Great post, John. A profound sadness has settled upon the U.S. and much of the world. The heartache from all the violence and now the attack on all we hold dear is just too much. The divide must be healed and the nonsense stopped. On All Sides. Stopped. When companies are going awry, they bring in expert negotiators. Our country needs expert negotiators, elected or not, we need people who can listen, bridge, and stop this madness. Leadership has failed – both sides. We are broken. My hope resides solely in my faith that somehow good will come of this. I just can’t envision that right now.
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The best course may be to let the orange one go into the night and try a rebuild process under a new administration. Never in my life had I imagined this situation. We all need to come together and insist on decency and justice. I hope you can find a way to be at peace, Gwen. ❤️
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I agree, John. The issue of security must be addressed. Right now, I’m feeling like Gwen. It is hard to envision things changing for the better without giving up some of our Constitutional rights as citizens of the United State. I love this country, but I hate what both sides are doing to ruin us beyond repair. It’s sad. Thankfully, I have Lucy and Twiggy to brighten my day!
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Lucy and Twiggy take their jobs seriously, Jill. They will continue to try to brighten your day. 😁 I agree on your comments on security.
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I’m still reeling from the enormity of it all. I agree with Gwen. We’re broken. I fear for the decent people of this country. I really do.
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The decent people cannot sit and stay silent. They have to speak up for decency. Thanks, Liz.
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Of course you’re right, John.
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😊
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I was shocked to see how easy it was for the mob to overrun the Capitol Police and breach the Capitol Building! A news reporter claimed that the Capitol Building was one of the most protected buildings in the US! Huh? We appeared weak and unorganized to the world. The USA has a myriad of enemies around the world. Are terrorists sitting around laughing at how easy it was to breach one of our “most protected” buildings? Are they taking notes for their next attack?
I believe the people who stormed the Capitol Building, hurt officers, and destroyed property should suffer the consequences of their actions so that this act will not be repeated. The lack of security should definitely be addressed and those who failed to do their job to protect the senate fired. No one should play games when it comes to the security of the USA. Great post, John! Stay warm, safe and healthy. 🙂
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I agree with everything you say, Vashti. Good to see the Capital Police Chief resign. Those officers who let the insurectionists in should be relieved of duty as well. There should have been a phlanx of officers all around the building and why there wasn’t is the question.
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You’re absolutely right, John.
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Well put, John. I’m on the run today, but I’ll catch you at SE later. I think we all deserve to start the weekend a little early this week – cheers!
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We do. 😊
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I must admit, John, that this whole incident has made me sick to my stomach. I feel I can’t rely on anything in this world anymore.
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Well let’s see what happens going forward. If the FBI brings these thugs to justice and Trump goes away I think you will be able to rely on the fact that the stands for freedom and stability again.
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You spoke truth, John, They should have been prepared, but then it seems no place with riots has been willing to preplan or step in and quell them. Both sides. This is a terrible event!
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Yes it is. Can’t help but feel the Capital Police though it was a joke. Need a few officers out of a job.
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It was a sad moment for our country John. Well said post.
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Thank you, Denise.
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Fridays will save the world, dear John! Twiggy knows that. 😁
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I think so too, Maria. Thanks for the reminder.
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It sure was crazy, John. Have a good weekend.
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Could you see a bunch of roadies busting into the House of Parliament? Makes my blood boil. Have a great weekend Guy.
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You speak for many, John…
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Thank you, Billy Ray.
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Absolutely shocking and unacceptable. We need to stop being polarized by the fringe groups on both sides and come together in the middle.
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And kick the fringe groups to the curb. The congressman who joined those criminals ought to be booted.
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Agreed. Political theater leads to this.
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Sad to say both sides of the aisle are guilty.
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Agree completely.
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You said it so well that there is nothing left to say, John. I fully agree with you and those images were sickening. It’s like we were watching an action movie, only it was real, unfortunately. Have a good weekend, too!
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Thank you, Lauren. Getting those images out of my mind will take some bourbon I’m afraid. Oh well someone has to do it. 🥃
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Haha! I’ll join you with some Chardonnay! 🥂
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Sounds good.
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Horrified is not a big enough word to describe what I felt as the thugs got inside our Capitol and desecrated it. I don’t know about anyone else, but I think we need some big changes and pronto! Thanks for sharing, John. I love the JohnKu!
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Thank you, Jan. I think we need changes pronto as well.
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You’re right, John – a hell of a way to start 2021. I don’t have enough adjectives to describe it. Have an extra margarita tonight.
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Have some bourbon too.
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God I wish I had a martini…
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Yum. Yours will be dirty mine on the rocks. Let’s do it. 🍸
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I could not agree with you more, John! What a way to start 2021. Democracy held and Congress, even after coming under attack, came back and did the work of the people. Cheers!
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I like that too, Jo. Let’s hope we can move on now. 😊
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It was a sight I will not soon forget. We must have faith that the new administration will be able to clean up this mess and forge forward.
Excellent JohnKu.
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Thanks, Dale. 😊 I think the general population has to quit standing silent. There fringe groups on both sides are destroying us.
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I think you’re right. The extremists have had their day long enough.
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😁
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As an international, all I can say was we were shocked. The amount of passion in the US never fails to amaze us apathetic Aussies. Wonder what the rest of 2021 has in store if this is its opening act?
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Yeah as someone said, “I just finished the seven day free trial of 2021 and I want to return it.”
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Hahahaha, love that!
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😁
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Amen, John. As a people, we have to be better than this. We have to do better, too. I shudder to think what the world thinks of us, exhibiting such unruliness.
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The world is nervious sine we usually stand for the peaceful passing of power. Thanks, Debbie.
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Thank you, John. Well said.
Even NATO’s security chiefs are talking about the fact that this wasn’t stopped – and how the mob carried flags in the manner of people making a gov take-over. I’ve been tied up in knots ever since.
I’m worried about anyone I care about who is still in DC. A good friend who is still at my former agency described a man wearing military fatigues with a truck that had a flag mounted on it who was just parked and hanging around the door of (friend’s) building. At the multiple buildings on the agency’s campus, the security guards were standing outside (rather than inside where they’re usually stationed) — they just stood there, and never approached the man, who stayed there for hours. Clearly the guards were instructed not to move. One of the first things Number 45 did four years ago was to appoint a man with a Serbian name, but very strong Russian ties as the head of that agency…
I told people this very kind of thing would happen. No one believed me at all. It isn’t over yet. And I’m beyond scared. There’s no joy or satisfaction in being right.
Hugs on the wing.
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By the way, the “Proud Boys” got themselves trademarked a couple of years ago…
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So if I want to look stupid and act stupid I have to wear a trademark symbol too. Thanks. 😁
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I think it suggests some deeper connection with the agency (not just a random weirdo wanting a trademark, which are expensive to get, by my humble standards). Remember, USPTO, patents and trademarks are meant to protect our intellectual property. Destabilizing, corrupting this would (gradually or quickly) impact our economy through influencing who is awarded the patent or trademark — and so who makes money… for instance a patent for the COVID-19 vaccine… ( https://www.modernatx.com/patents ) Certainly it is not dramatic, not like stealing defense secrets or something.
Okay. Thanks for the conversation. Your words always feel reassuring. I’ll stop now.
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Hahahaha. Yes good place to stop and have a cup of tea. 😁
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I share your concern, Teagan. We saw scenes that could have been third world flashbacks. We know know all the major agencies (homeland, FBI, Pentagon allasked the Capital Police Chief if he needed extra security. He declined. I think he was a Trumper and was not interested in any outside help. I hope he is found out and brought up on charges as well (Just resigning is not enough) We will see what the inauguration brings. I hope it isn’t cancelled since the world has to witness the transfer of power. Hugs to you and thanks for sharing your thoughts and concerns. 🤗
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Watching from the UK it felt a bit like passing a car crash and feeling like I shouldn’t gawp at this awful spectacle but not being able to look away. When we had nationwide riots in 2011 there was a sense of something ending and it wasn’t good. But eventually we lurched back to the centre ( and them had brexit which lurched us again). But the point is the shock leads to a reaction and it isnt being voiced in terms of going further to the extremes. You’ll be fine as a nation, the rationality of your democracy is too well established. But the shock will change attitudes and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s to a more listening form of politics. Hope so anyway.
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The Democrats have a habit of trying to stick the government nose into places where they should stay away. They are also a vindictive bunch. Putting us all through impeachment is insanity. We should hunt down and prosecute the offenders and then if necessary go for the leadership if criminal charges are indicated. Let the Democracy do it’s work on important things like getting the country back to a stable center. I hope you are right about listening politics. I just hope the vast majority of people are the ones listened to this time. These radical left and right factions have got to get out. Thanks, Geoff. I appreciate your words of calm. I like your statement about being fine. We need more of that. 😊
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Great perspective on this sad event, John. If there is one thing that motivates Congress, it’s threats to their well-being. I think action to enhance security will be swift and effective (unlike the other things they do). We’ve already seen multiple arrests and the resignation of the Capitol police chief. I would sympathize with the officers, but I’ve seen video of them removing barriers for the ‘protesters’ and posing for selfies with them. Truly disturbing. Those who compare this to the BLM protests are off-base. While I don’t condone the violence that resulted from either event, one is an unfortunate escalation from a valid protest, the other was an act of insurrection/treason. That’s a significant distinction in my mind. Thanks for your perspective on this.
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Your points are outstanding, Don. The offices and the Police chief need to answer to their aiding and abetting the insurrection. Resignation is not enough. They ought to be made to answer for the abandonment of their public safety duty. Thaks, again.
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So well said, John. I stand with you on all of it. What happened was sickening and unexcusable. It’s scary how bold fringe groups are becoming. I pray that after the inauguration we will find our way back to being a “United” States again.
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I share your hope, Mae.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to you, John, and all your fellow Americans. You’ve all been on a horrible rollercoaster for most of 2020, and this was not a good start for the New Year. This Canadian is sending hopes of better times ahead, for all of you
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Such a lovely thing to say, Mark. Thank you. A unity prayer is needed.😁
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So well said, John.
The powers that be need to be held accountable. If not now, when?
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I agree. Thanks, Marc.
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Hear, hear, John! Well said!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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And I’m a she… hahaha
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Yes indeed.
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