I just finished reviewing the third televised meeting of the January 6th panel. It’s becoming clear that the Republicans divide into two camps: those who are old-line, intellectual, loyal to the Constitution, and the new Republicans, loyal to the guy who gave them their positions, perhaps believing their own propaganda concerning the ‘evil’ Democrats, and … not particularly bright. Given the statements of and critiquing Professor Eastman, whoever awarded him that doctorate should be ashamed and reverse the conferral, and that appears to be Claremont Graduate School.
But long-term readers should not be unsurprised.
I also observed, in the montage clip of the actual violence at the Capitol, that I think the rioters were quite earnest in their beliefs concerning the theft of the election.
A Baptisia of Hope.
But, and this is important, sincerity is not an excuse. Just as easily resolvable ignorance is generally not considered to be an excuse for committing crimes, an inability to understand and think rationally about the political and legal system we use to keep ourselves in a relatively peaceful and prosperous ways is not optional. It is a duty for Americans. Understanding the philosophical concerns of corruption and its negative impacts on society, the competing concerns of government of Law vs Man, the importance of specialization, and recognizing that ‘common sense’ is rarely applicable when it comes to technical issues concerning, say voting, is, or should be, necessary to an American’s informal education. That is, they should go and seek it out.
These are so important that now people are going to jail because they didn’t pay attention, and did not learn to be rational. They are non-rational actors who allowed themselves to be used, and are now paying, or going to pay, the price: punishment of various and unpleasant sorts.
We can call it a failure of education, but, really, this may be deliberate malpractice by portions of society. We need to find a solution.
