Republican Senator Mitt Romney said yesterday, we cannot have unity without accountability. Yet, some Republican Senators are still echoing the planned fraud by the former president on the American people claiming unproven voter fraud. Others are saying the former president should not stand trial in the Senate.
As for those who do not want to hold the former president accountable, here is metaphor that uses a crying toddler example with intent.
-The toddler cried to anyone who would listen he was cheated.
-He took all measures he could to say he was cheated, unable to prove such.
-He bullied other toddlers to go along with him or he would be mean to them.
-He invited the tin soldiers to his room having wound them up for two months.
-He revved them up some more. Then he pointed them at the perceived enemy and sicced them to go do harm.
-Then, as per usual, he denied responsibility saying Mommy, it is not my fault.
The media did not do this. Democrats did not do this. The judges and election officials did not do this. Former Vice President Mike Pence did not do this. The instigator of all of this is Donald J. Trump. And, Senators who almost died cannot bring themselves to make him accountable. Really? After all that.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said if the former president is convicted in the Senate it would destroy the Republican Party. Too late, Senator. You, Cruz, Hawley, Paul, Gohmert, Brooks, Jordan, Nunes, et al have aided and abetted the destruction of the Republican Party by the crying toddler.
“Everyone knows I won by a lot. I was cheated. Mommy!” No, Little Donnie, you did not. And, five people are dead.
musingsofanoldfart 
I don’t think there can be peace without accountability either. I suspect it is not just lies that need to be weeded through, but also manipulation.
VJ, I truly believe the truth of what transpired in the White House is far worse than even we imagine. This latest New York Times report is yet one more example. As I have shared with Republican Senators and Representatives, after asking is this person you want to spend your dear reputation on, is you do not even know what you will have to defend tomorrow or next week or next month. And, the scary corollary to that is you do not even know if he has already committed the sin.
Keith
So true.
Excellent, Keith. Your thoughts echo mine exactly. I will always remember when my children were quite young, and my son was outdoors playing with his sister and one of her friends. He came running into the house, and said … “Mommy … whatever they say I did, I didn’t do it!” Sound familiar?
Jill, thanks. It sounds very familiar, but what boggles the mind is why adults do not see that as well? His lack of accountability, bullying and lying are overt. Keith
PS – what I quoted has more impact if read with the voice of a toddler whining.
I think the adults actually do SEE it, but are willing to overlook it, for he was their tool, and one can overlook many things as long as one is getting their wishes fulfilled … at least, they can overlook many things if they turn their consciences off, which I believe many have done.
Jill, thanks for the reblog. There are many things the former president did that should not be overlooked. But, what he caused on January 6 is unforgivable. And, there is not enough perfume to make the smell on the pig he reared go away. This was sedition. Keith
Until a large part of the USA’s population….. about say 60,000,000 (I’m assuming 10,000,000 are having second thoughts) take a long hard look in the mirror, with a Bible in their hand and say>
‘God? After the 6th January this year, I think I may have made the wrong choice’ and about two-thirds admit to that the forces which picked up Trump and placed him where he was will continue.
The GOP needs to apologise to the Nation.
Roger, no argument here. Keith
Reblogged this on Filosofa's Word and commented:
Our friend Keith has perfectly echoed my own thoughts, and likely many of yours as well. His words are so very apt … certain members of Congress would do well to listen to Keith … hmmm … perhaps he should run for office! Thanks, Keith!
Jill, thanks for the reblog. Keith
Always my pleasure!
There always has to be truth before reconciliation.
Agreed.
I’M not sure where I am going with this, so be prepared:
It is easy to sit in judgment over anyone as asinine as Fake-President Donald J. Trump, and the people who supported him, and they should be called to account for their actions. But how do you punish someone for the events of the last four years, and in particular for inciting insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Biblical law requires an eye for an eye. American Civil Law requires removing convicted felons from the company of normal society, to wit, vacations in jail or prison.
But will that change what has been done? Will it force these people to feel remorse? Will it help them to become better human beings?
We all know, none of them are going to actually change. Many have already reversed their political positions, but we know that is just for appearance sake, generally called “covering your own ass!” Not one of them actually feels regret, or remorse, for their actions. Moscow Mitch is the worst of them all, after Trump!.
What is going to hurt these people is not banning them from public society, but fining them to the full extent of their fortunes, including all stocks, bonds, bank accounts, businesses, possessions,and properties, including their fancy homes and vacation dwellings. (And use the proceeds to pay down the national debt they built up through theft and sheer stupid greed. Turn them into homeless paupers, including their family members who rely on them for support. Let them face the real court of public opinion, losing their wealth and privilege, and learning to exist on miniscule handouts. It is punishment, but it is fitting punishment. Let them eat other people”s garbage, as so many homeless people are doing right now because of them.
This they will regret, but still without remorse.
RG, not holding this former president to account would be the greatest miscarriage of justice. To your point, the reckoning has started with Dominion Voting Systems suing Rudy Giuliani for $1.3 billion for defamation. And, they have and will sue others. It would not surprise me if they sue Trump. Keith
I can’t support punishment that feels malicious. That people are living without dignity, does not justify forcing a few more into it.
My sentiments exactly, which is why I call for restorative justice over punitive justice. I can say no with no word of a lie, punishment never taught me a damn thing as a kid, except to make me hate my father, which I will take to my grave with me.
And, when I turned 18, jail only taught me to be a smarter criminal, until I decided on my own that even victimless crimes had victims, they just weren’t as obvious.
I agree restorative justice is the better path, but for people like the former president who values himself at all costs and will use any means necessary to profit, to what do you restore him? The best way to punish Trump would be to take a page out of Sartre’s “No Exit,” and put him in a room
by himself with no contact. Keith
“The Mind and the Matter” by Serling (teleplay) is worth a try too (;
FC, is that “A Twilight Zone” episode? I’m a big fan. I will do a search. Keith
FC, I watched a little of it this morning. I don’t think I have seen this one, but it fits nicely. I was remembering also of the one where the leader of a lost space mission group was rescued and he chose not to go, so was left on the planet by himself. Keith
“On Thursday We Leave for Home”
You are a fan.
I like his work, but dislike motion pictures (movies or TV), so it is hard. Just reading the Wikipedian summaries and imagining the actual acting is satisfying so I do that often.
FC, the writing for the show is at a high level. We enjoy seeing the later stars who made early appearances on the show. Keith
One that I do want to actually watch is “A Penny for Your Thoughts”.
So, I guess a president can do whatever he/she wants as long as no one does anything about it while they are in office? The Supreme Court just ended the emoluments suits against him as moot since he is no longer in office. What’s to stop other presidents from doing the same, if not worse? After Watergate, I seem to remember a flurry of rules and regulations enacted to stop those actions in the future. Maybe, instead of rules and regulations, the republican party will just write a playbook for their officeholders.
Janis, as a citizen, I am ashamed at how low the now Trump Party has fallen. The most corrupt and deceitful president in my lifetime has been rationalized, lied for, and abetted. He and his toadies deserve every bit of criticism and more. Keith
I don’t have quite the fear they will get very far now that the lights are back on. More interesting is what comes now for conservative types and the idea of conservativism in the United States. (Have to go to work now, so can’t type more.)
FC, I agree that shining a spotlight on bad behavior makes it more difficult for them. Yet, there is a reason the Trump Party embraces conspiracy theory – to make people doubt the truth. Keith
If he is not held accountable, I would believe, we will see more insurrection This isn’t a problem to slap a band aid on. We know (all of us) what exists (there is no normative way to deny this) and if Trump and those he both directly and indirectly influenced aren’t held accountable the stage is set for future attempts to harm (end) our way of life. The effects of which would be felt around not only our country but the world. As always, thank you for your thoughts and reporting.
LaDonna, this is well said. Sadly, the former president has not been held accountable for far too many things. So, he feels empowered. The Senate missed a golden chance to convict him last year, but did not call witnesses. If they did, they could have saved their party and our country. And, maybe something shy of the 420,000 Americans would not have died with someone in charge who took action and did not naysay the pandemic. Keith
PS – I used to work with a LaDonna. She is sharp, diligent and conscientious and her clients loved her.
I agree with that you have said here. Our new administration has their work cut out for them . Much of it truly was avoidable.
(On a side note, I appreciate the comment on LaDonna. It is a rare name and I have only met one other in my time, and really love the compliment you have given your colleague. She must have valued her clients very much. I certainly do).
LaDonna, my pleasure. Is that a family name? I like unique names as they often start conversations. If I see a woman named Olivia as a cashier, I will ask if her mother was a fan of Olivia Newton John, e.g. I worked at another place with a WaDonna. Keith
I met a store employee was called [name], like the (then) attorney general, so I asked if she was a relation. No, but she did want to be a federal prosecutor at one time! Said she was more interested in social work now, but felt that it was meant for a different [name] to get to the top.