Rioting as Politics by Other Means
In quick succession I read two different accounts of the attack on the capitol: US Representative Pramila Jayapal (R – WA) and others trapped in the House chambers, and Donald Trump calling Senators to lobby them about the election while they were hiding from the rioters. It made me think about Clausewitz’s “War is a mere continuation of politics by other means”. This got me thinking about some other calls Trump may have made.
Donald J Trump: Hello, this is Donald Trump.
Congress Member: Mr. President, boy am I glad too hear from you. When can we expect a rescue from…
DJT: Yes, I wanted to talk to you about something very important.
CM: Of course! Has the National Guard been called?
DJT: What? I don’t know. I mean, I want to talk to you about this election. As you know – as everyone knows, really – I totally won but I need to get more support in Congress. I heard that you were wavering and I need you to take a strong position on this.
CM: Um. You’re… talking about the vote? I don’t know if this is a good time right now Mr. President. Maybe once the attackers are cleared from the –
DJT: I can’t really hear you. Can you speak up? You sound kind of muffled. Strange. Usually you are a much better speaker than this.
CM: Sorry, I’m talking through the bag over my head.
DJT: A bag? Why the hell are you wearing a bag on your head?
CM: For the, you know, the tear gas. In case the Capitol Police have to use any, they told us to put these on. Speaking of which, Mr. President, we could really use-
DJT: OK, whatever. Anyway, I know you’ve come through for me many times, you’ve been really good, but sometimes you’ve been not so good, and I just want to make sure that this time – What is that racket now? Are you banging your phone on something?
CM: I think there’s shooting outside the door. I don’t know, I can’t see. They told us to crouch behind the seats so we don’t get shot and I dropped my phone.
DJT: Stand tall, always stand tall. Unless they’re shooting at you, then maybe its a better idea to duck. But until the shooting starts…
CM: Mr. President! I’m seeing on the news that the people attacking the building are your own supporters! We need you to call them immediately and tell them to pull back. And where is the National Guard? I demand immediate protection.
DJT: Sure, I’m going to do all that. But first I need a little favor from you…
Along with we the living who are saddened and outraged by the attempted cuop, there must’ve be a lot of Union soldiers in nearby Arlington spinning around in their graves at the scene of some hate-filled nut parading though the halls of Congress waving a Confederate flag.
Pardon a bit of editing: Change “Along with we the living” to “Along with the rest of us” and “must’ve be” to “must’ve been”–I guess I have to be more careful with my typing when I’m saddened and outraged.