# 7 Jan 2021 and beyond - the aftermath of the storming of the Capitol **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 8, 2021, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020 "2021-01-08T10:28:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/542 "2021-01-13T18:08:06Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > The economic anxiety argument has been used a lot to explain Trump’s rise starting with the Republican Party primaries but these people aren’t working the type of jobs that have been associated with the image of the Trump base. These people are well educated, are in the so-called ‘professional managerial class’, probably live in nice houses in suburban neighborhoods. That’s been a lot of the Trump base all along. You’re right that the “image of the Trump base” in a lot of people’s minds is some ignorant rural redneck. But he got a lot of his vote in 2016, and a lot of support since, from urban and suburban upper income people with decent educations and access to all sorts of news sources; though they may choose to ignore most of the latter. While evangelicals did go strongly for Trump, he got a lot of support from non-evangelicals, also. I think some of this perception of Trump voters as being all poverty-stricken uneducated rural fundamentalists is a defensive mechanism – a way for people who are none of those things to think ‘it wasn’t us! it wasn’t anybody like us!’ No, it may not have been ‘us’ in the sense of the particular individual or even that individual’s immediate social circle – but yes indeed it was ‘people like us’ who got us into this mess. Whatever socio-economic group of ‘us’ general-you think you’re in. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > We do not yet know what will be turned up WRT the severity/extent of what underlay 1/6 insurrection. I think the evidence will continue to pile up, and people will increasingly try to distance themselves from it. I think that in itself is good reason to delay trial in the Senate. Evidence is still being gathered, and won’t be anywhere near all in by the 19th. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/543 "2021-01-13T18:08:27Z")
Maybe they don’t want security because they think they’ll need their guns! And they might be in ‘say anything’ mode, to let the left think they have the Bull by the horns Because they know that something big might happen on the 20th. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/544 "2021-01-13T18:08:32Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > It’s hard to reconcile this with the images of cops taking selfies with the rioters. All I’ve seen is images of **a** cop taking **a selfie**. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/545 "2021-01-13T18:08:38Z")
Thank you very much for this link, **Steve** ; excellent content in that particular column and I already look forward to more. Thanks again for the introduction to a good thing! ---
**Author:** ![RyanAdam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@RyanAdam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyanAdam)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/546 "2021-01-13T18:10:00Z")
Which is why this current effort is so important. If it fails, I will have to leave it. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/547 "2021-01-13T18:15:41Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > > “You have a man who would get followed to the ends of the Earth by a hundred million Americans,” Eric Trump said. Now there’s a thought – send them all to Antarctica! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/548 "2021-01-13T18:17:21Z")
It has already failed, **Ryan**. Look at the percentage of GOP in the House who voted with the insurrectionists; was it fewer than half? I recently posted this in another, unrelated, thread; perhaps you and/or others here might find it helpful: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VDKOY0ZTDPI/maxresdefault.jpg "The Capacity to Give up on People") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDKOY0ZTDPI) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/549 "2021-01-13T18:25:21Z")
It’s not so much that McConnell is a psychopathic narcissist; it’s that he’s the leader of a party that has radicalized beyond his control and isn’t sure how to respond. He’s feeling it out. From his point of view, there’s no harm in privately voicing tepid support for an impeachment vote in the House. He doesn’t risk anything by doing voicing such support. He’s not committing to anything; just like when he said “the electoral college has spoken,” his words can be interpreted any which way. I think that an impeachment vote in the Senate would probably be a little more interesting this time around, but I’d be surprised if it results in a conviction. I’d love to be proven wrong, though. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/550 "2021-01-13T18:37:05Z")
I haven’t read the entire thread so this may have already been asked. While I realize that actual charges are still being sorted out, is there any reason why everybody that entered the Capitol illegally shouldn’t be charged with treason? ---
**Author:** ![Drsunflower1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drsunflower1/32/12711_2.png) [@Drsunflower1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drsunflower1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/551 "2021-01-13T18:37:07Z")
I think you’re right. It’s more the underlying pattern in which they’re behaving that smacks of abusiveness ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/552 "2021-01-13T18:44:12Z")
I’m starting to lean towards “enemy combatants” and I think the story will get much worse once they start detailed checks of all the correspondence and financial transactions surrounding the events leading to the insurrection. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/553 "2021-01-13T18:48:57Z")
Very interesting. Thanks for posting this. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/554 "2021-01-13T18:50:49Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > “How did we get here?” > > Next thing, he’ll be asking how babies get made, and whether it is possible that bears shit in woods. This isn’t the right thread for a full discussion of religion, but this quote says a lot: “Part of this reckoning is: How did we get here? How were we so [easily fooled by conspiracy theories]?” he tells NPR’s Rachel Martin. “We need to make clear who we are. And our allegiance is to King Jesus, not to what boasting political leader might come next.” So he wants to know why they’re easily fooled, and in the same paragraph, talks about allegiance to a fairy tale. Look, okay, maybe a person reading this believes in God and whatnot, and you should be free to do that. But it’s very difficult to ignore the rather huge possibility that there might be a connection between being religious, which is a belief held without the benefit of any evidence, and a tendency to believe OTHER things for which there isn’t any evidence. There also strikes me as being an obvious connection between religion and Trumpism in a willingness to accept authoritarianism. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/555 "2021-01-13T18:50:56Z")
You have to prove intent to commit treason; some could have just gone along with protesters because they were in a mood to be rowdy. They should be prosecuted for criminal trespass or unauthorized access. I’m not in favor of 20-year prison sentences just for being a dumb ass. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/556 "2021-01-13T18:52:45Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > While I realize that actual charges are still being sorted out, is there any reason why everybody that entered the Capitol illegally shouldn’t be charged with treason? Treason is a very specific charge in the US that would be exceptionally difficult to prove. **18 U.S. Code § 2381** Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/557 "2021-01-13T19:01:03Z")
I think the Oregon Capitol building breach was brought up in this thread already; if not, well, this is definitely some aftermath from people storming _a_ Capitol, just not the one in DC: > **[Oregon lawmaker faces outcry after state Capitol breach](https://apnews.com/article/us-news-united-states-oregon-capitol-siege-750e6954247ddc51c3e201560ea6ff73)** > > PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sixteen days before the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and nearly 2,900 miles away, an eerily similar incident occurred at the Oregon Capitol when 50 protesters breached the building — where lawmakers were working — and... > [@](#): > > The legal consequences that Nearman, one of the chamber’s most conservative Republicans, might face are still unfolding as state police investigate his actions and the Legislative Equity Office discusses if they will pursue further disciplinary actions. > > “If the investigation finds that actions taken were criminal, legislators are not above the law and will be held responsible,” Rep. Christine Drazan, leader of the House Republican Caucus, said in a statement. “As we affirm the need for due process and the right of the public to fully engage in the work of the Legislature, we commit to protect public safety and hold accountable those who would willfully undermine that commitment.” > > In the meantime Kotek has stripped Nearman of his committee assignments, rescinded his commission appointments and will bill him $2,000 for damage done after he let people inside, according to the news release. > > Nearman has agreed to forfeit a badge granting access to the Capitol, give 24-hours notice before arriving there, and not allow “non-authorized personnel” access to the building. Nearman read those terms Monday on the House floor. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/558 "2021-01-13T19:15:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I think the Oregon Capitol building breach was brought up in this thread already; if not, well, this is definitely some aftermath from people storming _a_ Capitol, just not the one in DC: > > > …In the meantime Kotek has stripped Nearman of his committee assignments, rescinded his commission appointments and will bill him $2,000 for damage done after he let people inside, according to the news release. This story is obviously getting a lot of play here in Portland. While armed protesters were trying to enter the OR Capitol, Nearman opened a lock door for them (as seen on security camera footage). The best part: not only has Nearman refused to resign, he is arguing that Speaker of the House Kotek should resign because she’s being very mean to him, and because she released the video of him several days late, just for political purposes. Of course, she didn’t actually release the video; the media obtained in through a FOIA request. Mr. Nearman isn’t too concerned with truth. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/559 "2021-01-13T19:46:24Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It would seem like the GOP has already passed up a chance at the 25th Amendment, The GOP has little power over that. It is Pence. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/560 "2021-01-13T19:55:49Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The GOP has little power over that. It is Pence GOP congresspeople have little _direct_ power over that, but could have had lots of influence on Pence. If 90% of House and Senate Republicans told Pence they were going to vote to impeach and convict but wanted to avoid a damaging public trial, that would have been some leverage (cf. Nixon, Richard M). ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020/561 "2021-01-13T19:59:33Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I think the Oregon Capitol building breach was brought up in this thread already; if not, well, this is definitely some aftermath from people storming _a_ Capitol, just not the one in DC: I have long thought and said here more than once that Oregon will be Ground Zero for this national conflict. It’s been a very long time coming, and unavoidably so. I wish it were not going to unfold here, but wishing changes nothing. People should keep an eye on Oregon to see what might well be coming to their own neighborhoods. Since I live rural, I live among quite a few Trumpists. On January 5th, I listened as neighbors about a mile and a half away fired off their big guns for half the day. Hard not to think they aren’t getting ready for The Big Reckoning – whenever that may be. (We can guess.) I’m glad my state legislators are hanging tough on the events of December 21st. The rioters were absolutely gobsmacked when they realized the state police were not going to aid them in their efforts. They turned on the cops like the vipers they are. We do have a big problem here with penetration of Trump garbage into law enforcement, but thankfully, the majority of our police do take their oaths seriously. Gonna be a rough week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-jan-2021-and-beyond-the-aftermath-of-the-storming-of-the-capitol/930020.md?page=29)