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Showing posts with label insurrection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurrection. Show all posts

MAGA Delusions

MAGA-inspired Attack on Capitol 

Was A Despicable Act

Lack of Shame, Remorse Make Recovery Impossible for Some

By Steve Rensberry

    EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (RPNews-OPINION) -- 1/7/2024 -- I don't care which way you try to spin it, the attack that took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, was disgusting and stupid. A noble cause? A movement to "save the country" from "evil Democrats" and "woke liberals"? A spiritual awakening or prophetic occurrence? Sorry, but it was none of these, as much as the black-and-white-thinking folks who either defend or participated in it would like to think. The full report.

    There is no need to tell the story, yet again, because we all know what we saw with our own eyes. For those who still values facts over ideology, one source of data among many is the organization American Oversight, which has provided an update on the investigation and news on all of those involved, including on state and local levels. See: The January 6 U.S. Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

    But here we are in 2025, while many of us are hoping for peace and some degree of civility, when an angry, hyper-political, vengence-filled veteran like Matthew Alan Livelsberger loses it mentally and kills himself while intentionally blowing up a Tesla truck, all to make a point that we should embrace the "hegenomy" (Livelsberger's chosen word) and aggressive type of toxic, bullish masculinity represented by Trump, Musk, and Robert Kennedy Jr., showing zero empathy toward other Americans who think differently, and that Dems should be violently removed from power along with anyone else deemed a threat. Are we still living in America, a Constitutional Republic built on democratic principles and a desire to live in peace? 

    Why are people not straight up arrested and charged when they make threats of violence against others like this, like Trump himself has done? We'd be naive to think such terrorist-style leadership was not influential with Livelsberger, fueling the idolization of such behavior. Do those who voted for him have an answer? Does it matter? Do free speech rights include the right to slander someone or make death threats (direct or implied), which Trump has done repeatedly? No.

    I sometimes wonder if the entire nation is preparing to go over the edge in one big mass cultish end-it-all scenario, similar to what happened with James Warren Jones. Everyone will be gone, but it'll all be okay because they'll just be resting comfortably in heaven, or perhaps hell. Up is down. Down is up. Life is hell. Death is good. Fundamentist evangelicals believe their God thinks liberals and "woke" Americans are evil, so anything goes, right? Is that how the new Domination-At-Any Cost MAGA radicals think?

    The irony is that those making and encouraging this type of thinking appear to many of us more as bullies than tough guys. Whatever toughness they hope to project is negated by their overwhelming bigotry and phony masculinity. Like made-up and choreographed World Wide Wrestling matches, they lack integrity, emotion, and humanitarian elements. It's a show, a disingenuouis, threatening,  violent-when-necessary show that helps them get their way.

Officers Arrested

 Two Off-Duty Police Officers 

Charged Following Events at Capitol

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – (DOJ) - 1/14/2021 - Two off-duty Rocky Mount, Virginia police officers were charged on Jan. 12 in federal court in the District of Columbia in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

    Jacob Fracker and Thomas Robertson were charged by complaint with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Both defendants were arrested on January 13, 2021, in Virginia. It is alleged that during the events at the U.S. Capitol, Fracker and Robertson were photographed in the Capitol building making an obscene gesture in front of the John Stark statue.

    On social media, Robertson is quoted as saying, “CNN and the Left are just mad because we actually attacked the government who is the problem and not some random small business ... The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. Keep poking us.” He also stated that he was “proud” of the photo on an Instagram post that was shared to Facebook, because he was “willing to put skin in the game.” On Facebook, Fracker posted a comment that read, “Lol to anyone who’s possibly concerned about the picture of me going around... Sorry I hate freedom? …Not like I did anything illegal…y’all do what you feel you need to.” The post has since been deleted.

    These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

    The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

    The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Criminal Charges

   Retired Firefighter Criminally

 Charged for Actions at Capitol


    WASHINGTON, D.C. – (DOJ) - 1/14/2021 - A retired Pennsylvania firefighter was charged on Jan. 13, 2021 and arrested on Jan. 14 in Pennsylvania in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.

    Robert Sanford, 55, of Boothwyn, Pennyslvania, was charged by criminal complaint with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly or disruptive conduct on capitol grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers while engaged in the performance of official duties.

    It is alleged that during the events at the U.S. Capitol, Sanford struck three U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers with a fire extinguisher. A video, recorded by an individual who was present in the crowd, captures when a man throws what appears to be a fire extinguisher at a group of USCP officers protecting the lower west terrace of the Capitol.

    The fire extinguisher struck one officer, who was wearing a helmet, in the head; then, the fire extinguisher ricochets striking a second officer, who was not wearing a helmet, in the head; and ricochets a third time and strikes a third officer, wearing a helmet, in the head. After throwing the fire extinguisher at USCP, Sanford leaves the area in the opposite direction. Federal authorities were able to identify Sanford, after receiving a tip on January 12.

    The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The cases are being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the United States Capitol Police.

    The information contained in the charging documents are merely allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

    The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.