Yesterday was the first public step in the investigation of the Jan 06th insurrection. Called to testify, 4 of the approximately 100-ish police officers there that day from various forces (Capitol and DC) that managed to keep 1000+ members of a violent mob from overthrowing the government spoke their truth. Due to work obligations, I was unable watch the proceedings in real time. However, I've read and seen enough video to know that it was difficult for them to relive that heinous assault.

As bad as it was for them to rehash that day, what would be worse is to let it go unquestioned, and let those questions go unanswered. Certain members of the Republican party have tried to do just that. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tried to load the investigative committee with tRump loyalists who continue to deny the terrorists who assaulted our democracy did anything wrong. Seriously:

This group included Gohmert, MTG, Gaetz, Scalise, Stefanik, Banks, Nehls, and Gosar. I won't even give them the customary honor of including their states and party. You know the latter. As far as I'm concerned, they are all guilty of treason (giving aid and comfort to our enemies) by their actions.

The only two Republicans with enough love of country-over-party are Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who are voluntarily serving on the committee, knowing they will be ostracized and primaried by their other party-mates. However, they are dedicated to exposing the truth about what happened on the day their own seats in government were attacked. It's incredulous that they are the only members of their party interested in doing so.

I write "exposing the truth" not "finding out the truth" because it's pretty clear what happened. The NY Times put out a timeline video back on June 20th that shows exactly what happened. If you haven't seen it, it's very difficult to watch. It's important, though, because it shows something very important.

The Boogaloo Boys and Oath Keepers came to DC prepared to commit a self-styled military action against our government. They were dressed for action, with bullet-proof vests, helmets, weapons, and a plan. They left the rally early to get into position because they were the tip of the spear. They knew they were the tip of the spear and not the entire spear, because they knew that the whole point of the rally was to inspire the mob to assault the Capitol building. This assault/insurrection was planned in coordination with the highest levels of government.

The guilty include the former pResident, the other speakers at the rally, and some members of Congress, who helped those planning the assault to reconnoiter the building by giving them "tours".

These people are all traitors to their country, having committed the treasonous act of trying to overthrow our duly elected government. They are not heroes; they are not partisans.

We no longer execute those committing treason, and I object to the death penalty out of principle, but in their cases (particularly those holding government office), I might be willing to bend. The insurrectionists brought a mock gallows with them, ostensibly for Mike Pence and/or Nancy Pelosi. Perhaps it's not too late to use it on those who truly deserve it.