BRIANS DREAM NOW OURS

Communicating effectively is a pain but in a nation, society, community civilization that aspires to a rising tide of multi-generational experiences in a framework of democratic values and in a context where every person is equally entitled to human dignity at all times in all ways -- no exceptions, no conditions -- and where children are the be all and end all of everything we do --- no exceptions, no conditions -- there is a corresponding responsibility to use the practiced art of diplomatic engagement, which is not flattery or threat, of negotiation, which is not feints and then explaining why you are always right and the other guy always wrong, of conciliation which is not chronic apology or partial capitulation. It's working to see the other guy's point of view before they have perhaps even mustered it themselves and catching it at its most optimistic bounce. Whatever it is, for better or for worse, the dialogue is never-ending. It's about a tide of future tomorrows that's coming whether we like it or not. So we must work every day in every way to raise all the Nations boats; this moment's friend and the long time foe alike, each is perfectly entitled to the same dignity of humanity, of mercy, of an outstretched hand. The forgiveness we give is the redemption we receive. We all live in the same glasshouse of memory and history, of error and miscalculation, of falling short and regret, and of course of paying the debt of intentional inhumanity. Each of us falls short when held to account. Our path ahead is full of false starts and dead ends, is often unforgiving and many times we ask why in God's name are we stuck in one thankless position or another. The answer is easy, obvious, and eternal -- we do the work of the Nation because it is there to be done. None of us is made of stone. Each of us feels pain and falters under the weight of conscience. Even when smoother sailing would make any given day less dicey for any one of us there is no path to a solid future in a democratic republic that is complete without all of us all the way all the time.

Barbarians crashed the secular cathedral of our Nation. We saw. They intended a coup. Their goal was to install Trump, jettison the vote, and enslave our free will. They brought guns and bombs, and they committed murder. Don't believe your eyes? Read what they published in the weeks ahead, listen to what they said at the scene, see what they did afterward. Brian Sicknick wore a uniform with our flag on his shoulder and a badge on his chest. To prepare for law enforcement he volunteered for six years of military service, including foreign deployments in war zones. Purposely, intentionally, viciously and with the whipped malice of a self created zealot, barbarians took his life to remove an obstacle to the sedition of their insurrectionist coup. Did Trump rush to the scene to restore order? Did he move heaven and earth to rush aid to the defenders? Did he protect the Legislature? Did he express rage and condemn, or shed tears and apologize, or provide facts and a plan? Did he? What did he do? He told you by word and deed, and unless you want to insult your own intelligence you know this without anyone else telling you, "Barbarians committed murder, mayhem, riot, and revolt. Good. Mike Pence was to be lynched. No problem. Nancy Pelosi kidnapped. Better.' He told you how terrible the PGA is for canceling a golf tournament, he said Twitter is an abomination for objecting to wholesale perfidy, and, of course, Big Tech, Fake News and the Democrats are no good. Did he speak to the Vice President? Did he inspect the scene? Did he pay respects to Brians's widow or his orphaned children? Did he close ranks and promise a full investigation? Did he say Never Again? 

After a death sentence at the Capital by murderous barbarians please ask why you didnt hear an Executive branch official apologize, promise his death was not in vain, that his sacrifice would be honored, and that those responsible would be held to account. Mercy yes but swift and sure justice is the hallmark of a civilized democratic republic and is of course the heritage we owe the children soon to assume our leadership. The seditionists are entitled to the dignity of their humanity, We want to hear the facts they offer, We want due process, equal protection, and the rule of law. And at the end of it, we want every person who made Brians's wife a widow and his children orphans held responsible for the role they played -- no more no less. Some will confess stupidity, others will say they misunderstand the intended action, still more will say Brian was a casualty of war and thus the death is not murder. Let each stand in the well of a Chamber and state in simple terms why they took Brian's life. Why? As Americans we believe free exchange of conscience is the path to forgiveness redemption, and a better life for the children whose future is our sacred honor to protect. As Americans we fear no barbarian, we recognize human frailty, we understand, so when mob labels themselves patriots, when murderers say it was self defense, when cowards slink back towards the rock of bigotry, hate, and reptilian repulsion from which they came we say Justice for all, Justice for them, and most assuredly putting aside all other tasks, burdens, gifts, and entitlements, as one calmly resolutely voice we as a Nation say: Brian did not die in vain, his sacrifice will be honored no matter the price, no matter the time, no matter the risk, we will not falter: Justice for Brian

     NEVER AGAIN 

Dennis A. Durkin, Sr.