Friday in China was the anniversary of a horrible event when the Chinese government forcibly put down a protest in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Seeing a young man stare down a tank in the square is the most memorable occurrence. But, China has done its best to erase this event from their history arresting some protestors in Hong Kong two days ago who tried to honor the memory of those who died that day..
I have written before about May 35 which is a real reference to an imaginary date. Per the attached article in the New York Times, it is a reference to what happened in Tiananmen Square in China on June 4, 1989, which has been expunged from Chinese history, including internet search references to that date. So, to make sure the Chinese kids remember this protest which was brutally squashed by the Chinese army, historians established a May 35 web link.*
In America, the Republican Party is doing its best to erase further discussion of the insurrection incited by the former president on January 6. In their minds, we cannot have people thinking the former president’s lies about election fraud, his invitation of zealous members of his base to Washington, and his winding them up and pointing them at the Capitol building had any thing to do with people storming the Capitol.
So, to make sure we don’t forger this heinous day in our country, nor the former president’s role and continuing untruthfulness about election fraud, maybe we should start calling it December 37 like the enterprising Chinese people did to avoid the memory being erased.
People died at these events. We owe it to them to remember who caused them. We cannot do anything about China’s delete key, but we can remind folks here that January 6 would not have happened if the former president did not have such a fragile ego and could not accept the fact he lost the election. Or, as his niece said in November, her Uncle cannot handle failure, so he will burn it all down to avoid losing the election.
May 35 and December 37. Bad days in China and the US People in leadership need to be held accountable. Especially when they play an active role in causing these bad days.
* http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/opinion/global/24iht-june24-ihtmag-hua-28.html?_r=0eal
Tiananmen Square incident | Summary, Details, & Facts | Britannica
musingsofanoldfart 
Well said! Good idea!!
Thanks Joy. Maybe we can draw attention to the autocratic parallel.
You draw an apt parallel, Keith.
Thanks VJ. The fan base of the former president likely does not realize the autocratic parallel. Keith
I listened to a podcast with two political historians, and they say this attitude has been developing for sometime even before Trump.
Agreed, VJ. When I left the Republican party in the 2008 timeframe, one of my three reasons included a tendency to make things up. I believe the former president switched to being a Republican as he saw it as a more exploitable party. given that bent to make things up. Keith
I’m all for this Keith!
Thanks Kim. Maybe if we do more of this, it will draw attention to the autocratic parallel. It still amazes me that so many incumbents in the Capitol were endangered by the former president’s words and actions, yet remain loyal. That is pretty spineless and my guess is the former president thinks so too. Keith
Well said Keith. In both instances there are those who need to be honoured and those who need to be reminded of what is not acceptable. There will be countries where thy won’t like this as they don’t want to journey towards democracy but with reminders of the sacrifices made by some, the people who do want democracy can move steadily forward.
Hugs
David, agreed. But, what frustrates is those who take advantage of what looks like democracy to hide an autocratic bent. Putin is a classic example. He was KGB trained to fool people. Keith
Note to Readers: The following is from a series of tweets by Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist and a co-founder of The Lincoln Project. He is hyper critical of the media underestimating the power of the former president.
“These people are fools and their delusions are dangerous for the survival of American democracy. We are at an hour that requires people to wake up. Trump is powerful and he is a clear and PRESENT danger to our democratic society and national stability.”
I’m all for December 37. My birthday is January 6 and I really hate that it’s now forever linked to that terrible event.
Janis, I am so sorry your BD is tainted by this insurrection. Keith
Great comparrisons drawn and shared Keith💖💖💖🌷
Thanks Cindy. Maybe such a move would help draw attention to the similarity with China.
Yes, so I should hope so!💖
une excellente idée!
Thanks David. This gaslighting by the former president and his sycophants is right out of “1984.”
I agree Keith. Changing history should not happen. Its to all our benefit to keep this in our awareness.
Thanks LaDonna. Well said. What amazes me is people will erase history and then believe their own BS.
Great post, Keith!
Thanks Peg.
History has always been written by the victors, but the victorious are not always righteous or diligent upholders of democracy. The Chinese believe their Government’s line. Sad. Lest we Forget the sacrifice. May bloggers such as you continue to remind us to not forget.
You were a member of the Republican party??? I am surprised given your egalitarian beliefs. This is not something I usually associate with the Republicans. I do believe that Trump would have capitalised on their spineless nature.
Amanda, I have been a member of both parties. I tend to be fiscally conservative and socially progressive. What those fancy words mean is I like helping people, but we have to find a way to pay for it. Keith
PS – I left the GOP about thirteen years ago, long before the former president entered politics. Key reasons were the GOP ignoring climate change,, fascination with guns and making things up. Keith
Practical egalitarianism. You need to start an alternate political party!
Amanda, thanks. If we cannot pay for stuff, which right now we are deeper and deeper in a hole of debt, it makes it tough to do what is needed like fix the infrastructure. Keith
The level of selective memory of the Republican Party and the Frankensteins who manufactured the previous occupant of The Whitehouse is not unusual in Human History. Their principal problem is that they have a narrow power base in a multi-cultural system. This may work in a nation which has a history of non-representative government , for a time. However in a nation with a democratic system (bearing in mind all democratic systems have flaws) if it does not extend across the cultures it cannot hope to maintain its influence or traction; it can attempt to rig the system but that it turn leads to a restive segment of the population, prone to ‘alternative’ action.
No amount of their bluster will remove from many the stain of January 6th.
Roger, true, but they are working hard with big belt sanders to sand away the disgrace of January 6. And, it is working with members of the base. Keith
But not the rest of the population.
Preaching to the converted simply does not work profitably.
Roger, I thank you for sharing your view of his hypocrisy and untruthfulness. Keith