Peace is a Miracle, and a continuing plague upon their respective houses

Peace is a Miracle:

 

Nihilism is what is killing our democracy. The leftists who toppled statutes believe, because they are taught to believe, that the people the statues depict – the people who founded our country – hated them. And thus that the country itself hates them. The Trump supporters who invaded the Capitol believe – because the people in that very building told them – that the people in that building, who run this country today, hate them. A country cannot have peace while its government tells its people the country hates them. Yet our government has managed to tell both halves of its divided nation that they are hated. If there were a Darwin Award for governments, the American political establishment would be tough to beat. 

There's a lot to digest here.  As a historian, I can indeed think back to the Election of 1800, the "magnificent catastrophe" described by Edward Larson  where James Monroe threatened to send the Virginia militia to prorogue the Federalist Congress (I guess Gov. Northrup DID have a precedent). I can think back as well to "Tilden or Blood" being spoken after the 1876 campaign, and several Northern governors threatening to mobilize their own militias in support of their preferred candidate.  I can think about 1960, where Nixon was urged to push vote fraud claims in Texas and Illinois (the former, at any rate, probably traceable to allies of "Landslide Lyndon").  2000 comes to mind with Bush v. Gore and the beginnings of the marginalization of non-majoritarian voices (or, "the year Democrats realized they could be hurt by third parties, too!" [Search terms "Ralph Nader Florida 2000"]).  And then OMG ROOSKIES! and 2016 (which we are starting to conclude was, yes, largely fabricated).  

But this is different.  Two people died this week.  The Capitol was breached.  And that was wrong and those responsible should be punished.  So moted be.

Remember, however, that a "tu quoque" argument may be a form of ad hominem attack, but it can be useful otherwise in illustrating hypocrisy.  And therein lies the animus of my plague-upon-the-houses: while I cannot support Trump, the rank two-facedness of many who oppose him prevents me from actively working with them.  I've seen your endgame, I want no part of it.  The revolution always eats its own, and the Montagnards always come for the Girondists.