Editor, The Beacon:
I write in response and opposition to the (Feb. 16-22, 2023) letter of Mr. DiChiara regarding the value of the Jan. 6 Committee’s work.
First, it is at least negligent and disingenuous to criticize Nancy Pelosi for rejecting the two Republicans McCarthy put forth, given that they supported the insurrectionists. Those two would only have served as disrupters, just as they have during their tenure in Congress.
The two Republican committee members (Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois) who served were lifelong Republicans. Cheney has been a stalwart Republican her entire public life and voted with Trump 99 percent of the time.
As far as “defiance of long-honored precedent” is concerned, who would argue that the Liar in Chief former President Trump broke more precedents than anyone.
One other thing, the key committee witnesses were Republicans, and the most damning documents were written by Republicans.
Likewise, the video/audio evidence of the insurrectionists is undisputed; so is the police blood on the Capitol steps (the blood of patriots defending our republic, our Constitution, and the safety of Congress, their staff and the Capitol premises).
The report of the committee will be required reading for Americans who want to understand the insurrection and help craft viable solutions to prevent another one. The report reveals curated conclusions, developed within the extant political context. Nevertheless, it contains useful truth.
Mr. DiChiara raises a number of questions as to area security and the involvement, if any, of government agents among the insurrectionists.
Today, people still have questions about the Kennedy assassination. So questions are to be expected and pursued. Meanwhile, what we don’t know does not discount what we do know.
Second point, his references to our justice system are a real non sequitur because the hearings were part of a congressional investigation, not a judicial proceeding, not a trial.
When Trump, his acolytes and the insurrectionists appear in court, they will be afforded the constitutional protections guaranteed to every citizen. Also, the adversarial elements of our justice system ideally can be “the crucible through which we learn the truth.”
Unfortunately, truth is too often an anomalous byproduct of the system, and justice is elusive and on a light schedule.
Bob Brooks
DeLand
Good letter. Thanks for setting the record straight.