Friends,
Help me out here. There’s no one aspect of Wednesday’s events that’s dispositive, but I’m trying to sort out the failure of intelligence, planning and policing that allowed what, with proper security, would have been no more than a typical raucous demonstration to escalate into what did happen.
I don’t think it’s a matter of white vs. black demonstrators so much as Trump vs. non-Trump demonstrators, of whatever race. Regardless, I think there needs to be more discussion of three things:
1. The apparent complicity of some rank-and-file police officers, per reports of their opening barricades, taking selfies with rioters, directing rioters to bathrooms and congressional offices, and allowing rioters to leave the building with no arrests. Where’s the force discipline?
2. At the leadership level, the complete failure of normal intelligence and security measures routinely employed. Why? Was there collusion with the move to disrupt the electoral count? Current reports suggest that ongoing investigations are targeting possible negligence, but should they be looking at possible conspiracy?
3. Were there orders, express or implied, issued to federal agencies who commonly aid the Capitol Police, to back off? It’s reported that the Capitol Police declined aid from various agencies. If true, then why? If not true, then why the lie? Many agencies are now headed by acting officials who might be more pliable to the president’s designs.
Any thoughts, folks?
