“Once your faith, sir, persuades you to believe what your intelligence declares to be absurd, beware lest you likewise sacrifice your reason in the conduct of your life. In days gone by, there were people who said to us: ‘You believe in incomprehensible, contradictory and impossible things because we have commanded you to; now then, commit unjust acts because we likewise order you to do so.’ Nothing could be more convincing. Certainly anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.”

The above text is adapted from the work of the French writer known as Voltaire. The words appeared in 1765, but they remain relevant to this day. Voltaire was referencing miracles and the violent actions of “organized” religion, but his words apply today to the actions of “law and order” President Trump and his cult followers (“patriots”) who stormed the Capitol, maiming or injuring many police officers and killing one (thus Trump is indirectly enabling maiming, injuring and killing cops — certainly a “norm breaker” for a president). The events of Jan. 6 were driven by absurdities (widely debunked election theft theories) accepted by the cult and at Trump’s urging manifested in the mob assault on the Capitol. Trump supporters apparently have no floor to actions they will find unacceptable.

Finally, to non-Trumpites: Is it not refreshing to wake up every morning without having to process idiotic, mean, menacing and disturbing tweets from the White House? And to have a president who will not be groveling before Vladimir Putin at every possible opportunity?

James Kvitkovich

Hempfield

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