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To the editor:
I do not desire a letters section "ping-pong" match but wish to respond to "Capitol Alibi," by Joseph Cannisi (The Chief, Oct. 4).
There are no excuses for Trump's role in the January 6 insurrection. Trump could still possibly be made to answer for his role. And I agree that according to a certain twisted logic Charles Manson would not have been convicted, since he was not physically present during the Tate-LaBianca murders. But …
Manson chose women in their teens and early 20s for his "family." Many of Trump's followers are presumably much older and knew the courts dismissed all Trump’s fraud claims. Manson gave his followers drugs such as LSD to make them compliant. Trump manipulated his followers through demagoguery. The murders ordered by Manson were premeditated. As horrific as the insurrection was, the specific, misguided goal was to disrupt the transition of power, not the collateral damage that resulted.
Of the five participants in the Tate-LaBianca murders (including Manson), one is free after decades in prison and multiple parole denials. Two died in prison and two remain in prison. I guess the prosecutor and judge didn't believe Manson only was responsible for the murders.
Trump is the Republican candidate for president, having won primaries and caucuses. A convicted and/or accused felon is permitted to run for president. The voter is allowed to cast a ballot in absolute secrecy for the candidate of his/her choice without having to justify that choice. This is neither happy nor sad but the law of the land and the American political system.
Nat Weiner
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reenjoe
Nat, are you sure "the specific, misguided goal was to disrupt the transition of power, not the collateral damage that resulted."? For months, Trump lied that the election was stolen, plotted to overturn the result, pressured state legislators, created false electors and tweeted about being in D.C. on Jan 6th multiple times before the date. The tweets culminated with "Be there, will be wild". That message lit up twitter and the far-right media. InfoWars help recruit J6 "warriors" and had guests actually suggest "storming right into the Capitol". On J6 Trump knew the mob was armed and angry yet he still told them to "Go down to the Capitol". Read the report.
But I guess like most Republicans you either tuned out or dismissed the J6 committee hearings and findings as "partisan". The final report details how J6 was Trump's last ditched effort to either pressure VP Pence to change his mind and failing that to exploit mob anger into intimidating Congress into denying Biden victory.
You cite the age of Mansion's followers and their drug use to emphasize Mansion's larger role and guilt. Trump was the PRESIDENT of the U.S. I think he knew his words held as least as much sway with his deluded followers as did those of a failed musician over his drug-addled disciples.
It may be the American political system, but those who vote for Trump after J6 are more than sad, they are living in denial. The justification of their votes is to their consciences, assuming they have any.
Wednesday, October 9 Report this