Letter to Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO5) re Acknowledging the Biden Victory & Administration

 

Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO5)

The following is the text of an email letter that I sent to my congressman today. If you share my opinion and you have a senator or congressman who has not acknowledged the Biden victory (and therefore the lawful legitimacy of his administration), I urge you to join me in writing your representatives. We need to speak out against the big lie. Please feel free to copy and paste to your heart's content!

Dear Congressman Lamborn: 

Today marks the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America. If I’ve counted correctly, this marks the 16th inauguration of a President in my lifetime. Some of the presidents were elected in landslides, some in squeakers, and some even after having lost the popular vote. But in each instance, the nation came together under the duly elected president by the time of the inauguration. In each instance, the defeated candidate recognized and affirmed the outcome. On several occasions, defeated incumbent presidents have looked on as their successor was sworn in. This has been an American tradition and a ritual affirmation of our democracy. But this will not happen this year. Our electoral system has been plagued by what we now know definitively as “the big lie,” that somehow, President Trump had actually been the choice of most voters. I know that you are a supporter of President Trump and that you voted to disqualify the votes of some states that Biden carried, even after the attack on Congress. I know that you supported the re-election of President Trump. I know that you voted against impeaching President Trump for his role in promoting the mob’s attack on the Capitol. But now Trump’s run is over, and it’s time for everyone--especially persons in your circumstance--to speak out in defense of our democracy, the rule of law, and the promotion of civil discourse. Given that your website indicates that you’ve not congratulated or even acknowledged the victory of our newly elected president, now is the time to do so. You--and as many of your colleagues as you can persuade--should immediately issue a statement along the following lines: 

20 January 2021

Press Release of Congressman Doug Lamborn & Colleagues

Today marks the inauguration of Joe Biden as our 46th president. We congratulate President Biden on his electoral victory, and we want to wish him all the best as he embarks upon his service as president of our great nation. We pledge to take every opportunity to work with our new president and his administration whenever we can to promote the well-being of the American people and our system of government. When we don’t agree, we pledge to act in good faith to pursue alternatives consistent with our form of government.

The result of the recent election has been doubted by some. However, the states, the Electoral College, the Congress, and the Courts (after numerous instances of judicial review) have all affirmed the sanctity and validity of the election results. Let there be no further question that Joe Biden won the election. One of the hallmarks of the success and longevity of the American electoral system arises from the tradition of fair play and good sportsmanship that we teach our sons and daughters each day. The American people have spoken, and even we who supported President Trump must acknowledge the election results according to provisions of our Constitution and laws. Any disagreement that any of us--from congressional representatives to ordinary voters-- have with the new Biden Administration must be expressed in words and not violence. Violence is the antithesis of democracy and the rule of law, and we must all reject it. 

God bless the Biden Administration, this Congress, and the United States of America. 

Thank you for your consideration. I eagerly await your response.

Stephen N. Greenleaf

Moyers & Colbert

First, for some background for any younger readers (if there be any). Bill Moyers has been a staple of thoughtful, insightful television journalism since the 1960's. He seems to bring a thoughtful, learned, yet modest and inquiring attitude to each interview, whether it be a woman on the street or someone of the highest learning or office. His initial program will feature two political scientists (Jacob Hacker of Yale and someone from Berkeley), and then he'll do someone on the street, and with each interview he seems to speak to the palace where the individuals are at and draw the most from them. Having him back on the air is good news, indeed.

His interview with Colbert shows he's lost nothing much with his advancing age (good news to those of us not far behind him!). He goes toe-to-toe with Stephen, and in the end, leaves Stephen a bit speechless. Fun viewing.

One side note: Are corporations "people"? Moyers got it right when he said "persons", not "people" (that's Mitt Romney). Colbert got it right when he cited the nineteenth century Santa Clara case decided by SCOTUS. Both sides have to be correct in some sense. Of course, on one hand, corporations are not individuals; on the other hand, corporations are organizations of individuals (human individuals, no androids allowed as of yet) that must have some legal standing and, yes, rights. If group entities, corporations (profit and non-profit), partnerships, married couples, churches, etc. don't have some legal rights as "persons", we're in deep trouble.

The Citizens United case (and I admit to not having read it) does trouble me, but it has to do more with the equation of money with speech than with the characterization of a corporation as a "person". I define "person" as a entity with legal rights under our Constitution--I don't equate person in this context as an individual. (To go further, distinguish a "soul" (religious), a "self" (philosophical/psychological) and an "individual" (biological)--it all depends on what you're asking and why. In any event, the equation of money with speech is a brutalization of our political discourse, and a sad chapter in this history of SCOTUS. (Perhaps more on this later.)

Some Good Guys & Some Real Disappointments on Protecting Our Security

From Truthdig (an excellent site), I learn that my Senator Tom Harkin and neighboring congressman Bruce Braley voted against the Defense Authorization Act that allows the government to hold citizens without trial. My compliments to them (and I've sent them emails saying so) for their courage & wisdom in so voting.

I'm deeply disappointed that my Representative Dave Loebsack (D) voted in favor of the act. I wrote him so, too. My disappointment, not quite so sharp, that Senator Grassley voted in favor of this. Actually, I used to have a grudging admiration for Grassley, who showed some independence, but now he simply goes with the crowd, even though he's safe for another 5 years. Sad, but true.

Truthdig links to sites that can tell you how your representatives voted, and I suggest you let them hear from you.

P.S. My earlier post expressed my disappointment with Obama.

Shame on Obama

Reading about the recent passage of the defense authorization bill, I was unclear what provisions were included and which excluded. Alas, I learn through this editorial from the NYT that arrest without trial has been left in. I feel a sense of shame in all of this. I expect as much from Bush, but not Obama. A bitter pill to swallow. Perhaps it's a good thing that the Republican offerings are of such low and frightening quality.