The United States has seen its share of dark days, from the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 to the Twin Tower attacks in New York City in 2001, not to mention other catastrophes that struck our nation in earlier decades. None of America’s struggles have cut so deeply at the carefully woven fabric of this nation like the despicable attack on the United States Capitol building on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Insurrectionists attacked the capitol after both chambers of congress had adjourned from a constitutionally mandated joint session to enter debate, with Vice President Michael Pence presiding over the U.S. Senate. Congress had convened with the Vice President, who is constitutionally the President of the Senate, to certify the election victory of President-Elect Joseph R. Biden.
Article 2, Section 1 and Amendment 12 of the United States Constitution lay out the groundwork of the Electoral College and call for a joint session of congress to certify those results. That is what was attacked on January 6, the very sanctity and cornerstone of this Democratic Republic.
The mob invaded the hallowed halls of our nation, smearing feces across the walls, stealing laptops and electronics that contained sensitive national security information. The rioters tore apart the office of the House Parliamentarian, who ensures the nation continues to work in its proper capacity and they invaded the United States Senate chamber carrying zip tie handcuffs after erecting a gallows platform outside the Capitol building.
The insurrectionists paved the way for our enemies to declare how far the United States has fallen; the unpatriotic crowd’s actions triggered our allies to flinch.
At the same time, The Roundhouse in Santa Fe was evacuated by the New Mexico State Police as protestors congregated in front of the building. The safety of all New Mexicans is endangered when our lawmakers cannot meet to do the necessary business to secure the finances and the business of the people, especially in a time of crisis such as the ongoing pandemic that has caused the death of more than 2,749 New Mexicans in the past nine months.
In a moment where, by virtue of the Constitution of the United States, the American people are certifying their new president, our hearts were filled with sorrow and disappointment instead of patriotism and unity.
With the 60-day legislative session in Santa Fe and the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden coming up quickly, the Cibola Citizen implores our entire readership to shed the shackles of partisanship and welcome patriotism back into all our lives.
Let us support our elected officials, call them out when they work against their constituents and thank them when they work for their constituents.
Mob rule has no place in a Democratic Republic.
Let’s put politics away and be respectful to one another.
History will judge the actions of today very harshly, let us come together and become part of the solution. Encourage your friends and family to stand together, sixfeet apart, to say in one resounding voice – we are Americans.