- Acquittal does not mean Trump is innocent
- True patriots support democracy, not subvert it
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| A Filipino American carried a FIlipino broom as he joined insurrectionists during 1/6 |
OPINION
Well, AAPI Republicans, it's time for some honest reflection.
As expected, 43 Republican Senators voted to acquit Donald Trump from the charge of inciting the 1/6 Insurrection that saw a mob take over the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump.
The Senate's vote Saturday was preordained despite videotaped evidence and a seemingly endless stream of subversive Trump tweets. Conviction would have required 17 GOP Senators to vote with the 50 Democrats. Only seven Republicans were principled enough to put country over party and voted to convict Trump.
It's important to note, however, that acquittal does not mean Trump is innocent.
Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell said as much, when after voting for acquittal, he said: "Former President Trump's actions that preceded the riot were a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty. Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day."
His statement is not so ironic because McConnell intentionally provided the reason for Republicans hid behind justify Trump's acquittal by not calling the Senate back to work until Jan. 19, the day before President Biden was sworn into office.
With a straight face, McConnell the former Senate majority leader last month, ignored calls by Senate Democrats for a speedy trial during Trump's final days in office -- said Trump was constitutionally ineligible for conviction since the punishment is removal, and Trump was already out of office.
Still, it is disappointing to see how democracy, which depends on men and women of good faith to follow the Senate's procedural rules instead of twisting the rules for their desired outcome: acquittal.
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| The flag of the former South Vietnam regime flew over the Capitol on 1/6. |
More important, though, this posting is directed at to those AAPI voters who favored Trump last November. I ask you, isn't it about time to reconsider your support for a party that sought to overturn the government to which you pledged loyalty, and subvert democracy, which you love?
To the Filipino American known as the "Walis Man" because he carried a Philippine broom known as a "walis" into the Capitol during the 1/6 Insurrection; to the Vietnamese American who carried the flag of the former South Vietnam or the people who waved the banner of India, the Asian American woman who posed with the noose and the other AAPI who gleefully chanted "Hang Mike Pence" or "Stop the Steal" when they took part in the failed coup last; take a look at those around you: the man with the swastika tattoo, the guy carrying the Confederate flag that represents slavery, the dude with the "Camp Auswitz" t-shirt, the white supremacists who beat a policeman, who killed an officer of the law, who wanted to start a new civil war.
Again ... do you really think these people will accept you, your culture, your history, your accent, or your language?
Seven people died as a result of the 1/6 coup attempt, including three police officers: one who was bludgeoned to death and two by suicide.
There are honest debates to be had over immigration and economic strategies to heal our country ... OUR country ... even though I may be on the opposite side of the political spectrum than you, I love our country as much as you. I am as patriotic as you. Those policy discussions can be had if we realize, we are not enemies.
Perhaps this message my Republican friends from award-winning film maker Matthew Cooke will help you reflect on the future of your party and the future of our country and help you rethink on who and what you are supporting.
From the Editor, a word of caution: This post is news laced with my opinion. You are encouraged to seek other news outlets to form your own opinion.
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