
After 4 years of demagoguery from everyone involved in the process of politics and governance, words have never been more important. That’s why using the term “coup” to refer to the January 6 Capitol riot/mob/protest gone amuck is grossly negligent and, maybe even worse, historically ignorant.
In order to be considered a coup attempt, there has to have been some sort of plan to achieve overthrow of the government. I beg you, anyone, to demonstrate to me what plan was in place when organic-only horn-shaman guy, or quarter-for-your-thoughts desk sitter, or zip-tie guy, or tase-my-balls guy gained access to the heart of our democracy to seat a government. That’s what a coup accomplishes, by the way: a new government to govern our institutions. You really think anyone at these riots has the patience or wherewithal for any of that?
Now, does this discount the lunacy, or danger, of people that went with violent intent, the people that died, the people who WERE intending to harm members of our government? Of course not, and those people should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their violence against our elected officials.
But do not call this a coup attempt. The following morning, there were no tanks on the White House lawn. Democrats quartering troops in the halls of the Capitol is what they have gotten so good at over the last four years: political theater. Trump is a Nazi! Fascist. Muslim ban. “Very fine people on both sides”. Covid presented the sort of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some truly authoritarian moves and, lo and behold, Trump did none of them. National Guard to enforce lockdowns/work permits. Nationalize industry. Censorship. The only person that was censored..was Trump!
Referring to the ragtag buffoons as a coup but the protests over the summer (that did account for dozens of deaths, hundreds of injured officers, billions in damages to businesses) as mostly peaceful is gaslighting. Those numbers from the summer are facts, not spin. Stop trying to rationalize one form of political violence over another because you support one cause over the other.
I wish so desperately that this riot had never happened because I would love to celebrate thousands of people gathering and marching for what they believe in. That’s how we continue to expand our political network and progress, getting people engaged. This denial of service attitude toward anyone that you disagree with is lazy and, frankly, more totalitarian than anything we have seen over the last few years.
Use your words correctly, put critical analysis and thought into your writing. This was not a coup attempt, so stop referring to it as such and giving them credit far beyond their capabilities.