an editorial from Garrick A Moritz, editor
If you want my advice, if you’re still flying a Trump flag, take it down. Put the stars and stripes up instead. That’s the only flag that belongs there.
America is dedicated to ideals, principals of self-governance and the rule of law. Last week, an angry mob broke into the Capitol building carrying Trump flags, guns and bombs. Blood was spilled. People are dead. None of it had to happen.
In the summer of 2001, I was part of something called the Institute of Political Journalism. I took classes at Georgetown University at night and worked for a news-wire service as an intern during the day. This was before the 9-11 attacks that would happen mere weeks after I came back home to South Dakota. Back then, it was much freer and more open in Washington DC. The people had more access to their halls of government without an appointment. There were security checkpoints, there were barriers, but security was much subtler, and things were open and easily accessible to the people.
I remember, in the course of my reporting out there, I ran right into then Congressman John Thune on the steps of the Capitol Building.
“Garrick Moritz of Faulkton South Dakota!” he said, right off. “Nice to see you! What brings you to Washington?!”
This is why Mr. Thune wins elections and why people vote for him. He has met with my mom and dad several times over the course of years. He remembers your name. One could even argue that he actually cares about the people he serves. I told him about this opportunity I had been given. I told him that I was learning a lot and enjoying myself too, but that I did miss home. He was congratulatory and said, “That’s great. I know your parents are already proud of you. Take advantage of every opportunity you can here, because you’ll never forget it. You’ll be better for it when you get back home.”
I have never forgotten. So, watching the Capitol be attacked by a riotous mob last week was especially heartbreaking for me. I was pleased to note that Senator Thune, Senator Rounds and Congressman Johnson all voted in opposition to the objections of our presidential election. They did the right thing and put America first. They know that the multiple court cases the President filed in multiple states and the Supreme Court had no legal merit, which is why they failed. Anyone who believes otherwise is deluding themselves.
In my humble opinion, continuing to fly a Trump flag thereby tells your neighbors and all the world that you support the violence and anarchy that happened on Wednesday, Jan. 6th. In this great nation, you can fly a swastika in front of your home if you want. But I don’t recommend it. Just like I wouldn’t recommend letting a Trump flag fly.
This nation and its character are more important than any one President. This is still the greatest country in the world. This still is the bedrock of civilization for the modern world. This is still the land of the free and home of the brave. This is still the America where Right is the Master of Might, as my American Legion friends would say.
This attack on the Capitol building threatened our elected leaders, up to and including the Vice-President of the United States. It was the work of the worst elements of our society, who deliberately stoked people to violence for their own profit. These are scenes we’ve seen played out on history’s stage before, and sadly we’ll see them again. The work of tyrants, autocrats, fascists, white supremacists, and tin-pot dictators the world over. The very things America stands boldly against. The things my grandparents fought against in the second World War. And in the end, this attack was a miserable failure because America still stands strong. Though she was wounded last Wednesday, she fights harder when she’s been hurt. And woe be to those who started the brawl, because she will end it and them.
So, if you have that Trump flag flying still, ask yourself what it represents and if it is really what you support. I think you might find that the Stars and Stripes is, and has always been, enough.
