Let us not fail in this way again.

Becca caught me up on what she did with the Youngers yesterday. I have not verified this from independent sources, but she possesses a decent amount of integrity and honesty over the last 20 years, so I’ll believe her until disproven. Apparently she had them do chores, which I was happy to hear, and hoped this might include cleaning the garage (note: later evidence proved this hope to be false).

She also absorbed a number of books alongside, practiced reading with our 6-year old, did Mathematics with both, and accompanied, unarmed but well-heeled and nice-legged, into the dangerous dark forest not far from our home; this was done allegedly in the pursuit and study of ‘nature.’ At some point, she supposedly allowed them a recess as well - an incomprehensible waste of time, if you ask me and the majority of normal children - and they climbed trees, fed a goat, and danced to Annie songs. Sounds like a dreadful experience for all, if you ask me, but good on her for making them do it. There was other stuff too, but in the end, she kept them alive, they learned a tiny amount, they giggled a bunch when I asked about their day, and she smiled in a happy-tired way at the end. So I guess it was a decent day of learning, if you‘re into that learning sort of stuff.

I have recently learned that she did not have them clean the garage. So that is something she failed at. That’s a day we’ll never have back. I guess I’ll just clean it next weekend, or maybe year after next.

——

Let us also honor this day:

Two years ago, some people stood up for justice and law and the peaceful transfer of power in a legal and legitimate election.

Someone won, someone lost, as is the way of elections. For the first time in American history though, an outgoing President - the Loser - galvanized enough support to get an armed mob revved up enough to try out a coup. He falsely claimed victory, against overwhelming and consistent evidence to the contrary, and invite-exhorted his many followers to do something about it and…some listened to the dog whistle from on high. Some did, entering the Capitol illegally;

a mob of disgruntled faux-patriots who betrayed their country, their nation, and their Constitution and instead chose to embark on an illegal and violent attempt to change the lawful results of a free and fair election.

They failed.

Let us not fail to remember those who betrayed their country on this day, and the meaning of respecting law, law enforcement, democracy, and the peaceful transfer of power.

Let us also remember those who spoke out, stood up, and sacrificed much to speak out in rejection of this violent attempt to topple election results, and let that be encouraging and inspiring to all of us to stand up for what is right.

What happened January 6, 2021 was not right. No excuses, no defense, no explanation. Full stop.