Legitimate political discourse. What does that phrase mean to you? Does it mean two members of Congress discussing aspects of a bill recently introduced? Does it mean two candidates of opposing parties debating their positions on various policies?
Or does it mean thousands of organized insurrectionists storming the U.S. Capitol building with weapons, beating police officers, tearing down doors, crashing through windows, chanting that they want to hang the vice-president? We have seen the terrifying videos of the whole 187 minutes. Representatives and senators and their staffs were running for their lives or crouched down in their chambers awaiting rescue.
My idea of legitimate political discourse would be either of the first two mentioned. After all, discourse means discussing, debating, conversation. However, the Republican National Committee has used that phrase to describe the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
It certainly was political, but it wasn’t legitimate or any form of discourse.
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We deserve to know from our elected officials where they stand on that very question. As of now, they have been silent; of course, we are accustomed to that: they indicate their approval through complicity.
This will happen again unless we demand truth, accountability, and justice. It is well known that a failed coup attempt is a practice run. Almost all our members of Congress have said they want to be sure it doesn’t happen again. But at the same time, the Republicans don’t want it to be investigated; they don’t seem interested in finding out the truth of how it happened. They don’t want to cooperate with the bi-partisan House Investigation Committee or the Department of Justice.
In fact, the Republicans promise that if they control the House after the 2022 election, they will shut down the committee. In doing that, how will we ever learn the truth about who organized it and how it was carried out? How will the principal organizers ever be held accountable? How will we finally achieve justice?
Our democracy is fragile; it is being shattered all around us. Once again, the Republicans say they support democracy. I was taught at a very early age that actions speak louder than words. How can some people praise democracy at the same time they are trying to tear it down?
So many questions and too few answers. Let us answer with truth, accountability, and justice for all.
— Susan Moore, Stevensville
Valley Women’s Voices is a Sunday feature in the Ravalli Republic. Send submissions to OnMyMindMFT@gmail.com
"discourse" - Google News
February 20, 2022 at 11:25PM
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Valley Women's Voices: The meaning of legitimate political discourse - Ravalli Republic
"discourse" - Google News
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