Disappointed by riots in Washington, D.C.

Window on the West
Opinion column

by Mary Rupert

The events of Wednesday in Washington, D.C., were alarming, even evil.

Rampaging through the U.S. Capitol building, terrorizing everyone inside, defying the police – how can any of this be good for America?

Our leaders, starting at the top, need to be more responsible and understand that their words can incite actions in their followers. There are ex-Presidents in both parties who could give them some good advice on how to handle their words to their followers.

I’m disappointed, too, in the votes of Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas and Sen. Joshua Hawley of Missouri in supporting this nonsensical effort to overturn an election. They were part of a group of six that objected to the Electoral College certification of the election results. Congress returned to work last night and certified Joe Biden’s election.

“Sore losers” are the first thought that comes to my mind. The actions Wednesday remind me of people who think it’s all right to trash an apartment after they have been evicted, or people who think it’s all right to take revenge on others when they feel they have been slighted. Well, it’s not all right to take the law into their own hands.

It is OK to seek lawful means and go to court if you feel you’ve been slighted, or to write letters or to march in a peaceful protest. But huge protests sometimes invite fringe elements that can take a crowd into violence quickly.

I’m all for free speech, too, but in my field, I learned early that “you can’t shout fire in a crowded theater” because of the risk of people getting trampled.

In the little league, we learned how to shake hands and say congratulations after losing a game. Something was missed in the education and training of these Americans who are not doing the same thing.

Any of our leaders who encouraged these groups in the past are responsible for the actions Wednesday, in my opinion.

To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].