Like millions of other Americans, I was enraged and deeply saddened by the assault on our government by domestic terrorists.
But I wasn’t surprised.
There will be plenty of discussion about the causes of the deadly insurrection — ranging from the president, social media firms, lies, conspiracy theories, political enablers, and agitators purporting to be journalists.
But my mind was occupied with this single thought: this attack was a betrayal of every American who has ever worn a uniform to protect our country.
The police who protect our streets and members of the military who protect our borders take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. They put themselves in harms way to guard our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
These acts of sedition desecrated the memory of the millions who have died to protect our government and our way of life.
While criminals attacking the Capitol carried American flags and claimed to be patriots, in reality they betrayed the principles of our nation.
At this time, we know that five people have died, including one police officer doing their duty, during the insurrection. Terrorists left pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. They endangered the lives of children, police, and our elected officials, including the vice president and the vice president-elect.
The insurrection worried our allies while delighting and emboldening our enemies.
Authorities have discovered that some attackers had Molotov cocktails and other weapons. There may have been plans to take hostages or kidnap our representatives.
We are fortunate that the effort was not better organized.
This isn’t a time for whataboutism or false equivalencies. Some public figures are already spreading lies and spinning ridiculous conspiracy theories from the dark corners of the internet.
If someone chooses to believe these things, no amount of reason or evidence will change their minds.
All I know is what I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears — live on television.
Our law enforcement officers and members of the military risk their lives to protect our government.
We live in a republic, a system where citizens choose other citizens to represent us when making decisions.
Because people are involved, that system is not perfect. It has often made me angry and frustrated. Too often the results of our system are wrong, ugly, and corrupt.
But it is far superior to any other form of government.
I, for one, prefer to live in a republic rather than a fascist state, an oligarchy, a theocracy, a dictatorship, or a monarchy.
It is altogether fitting and proper that the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans sits on the grounds of the county courthouse. It is a reminder of what veterans fought and died for: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Enabling, encouraging, inciting, or approving of an attack on our government dishonors the memory of those who have fought and died for this country. And it endangers the lives of those who continue to keep watch.
Aaron Miller is one of The Republic’s community columnists and all opinions expressed are those of the writer. He has a doctorate in history and is an associate professor of history at Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
