A Tragedy in Two Acts
MADISON, Wis. -- The presidential torch passed from Dwight D. Eisenhower, who seemed ancient at 70, to vigorous young John F. Kennedy, 43, a Bostonian who spoke these stirring words on a bright new day, snow glistening on marble: "Let the word go forth from this time and place ... that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans."
On the night of the presidential debate, family and some friends thought all was lost when President Joe Biden turned in a shockingly poor performance. Biden shifted the national focus to his readiness to serve and away from former President Donald Trump's twisted rhapsody of lies, boasts and insults.
Aghast is the word.
I missed it, because my father was honored at a medical dinner. I noted with irony that he retired as professor emeritus at 81, Biden's age now. Rep. Nancy Pelosi stepped down as House speaker with grace at 82.
A few days later, on the first of July, the thunderbolt came out of the John Roberts Supreme Court, as we knew it would. Suddenly, Biden's debate stumbles, while troubling, seemed small compared to the monumental decision the Roberts Six delivered.
Daggers were drawn to democracy itself by giving a president immunity from "official" crimes committed while in office.
So they first stole human rights away from women and girls. Now, for the first time, one man will be above the law. It's spelled out in black and white, on July 1, 2024. Remember the day.
In this time and place, that means the crime of inciting a mob attack on the peaceful transfer of power will likely not see the light of day in court for a long time, if ever.
The six Roberts Republicans are not even pretending not to be corrupt in this 6-3 delayed decision.
For me, it's personal. I was there Jan. 6, inside the Capitol, and heard the mob's hideous shrieks and pounding footsteps as they shattered glass, coming closer. The gunshots fired outside the House chamber where Congress and the press froze shall -- and should -- never be forgotten.
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