Bits 'n pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling, all centered on the U.S. Capitol:

Jan. 6, the day slated for official Congressional counting of electoral votes for the U.S. presidency, will be a prominent date in the nation’s history books. It started with an invitation Dec. 19 by President Donald Trump to come to D.C. for a “wild” rally. In a lengthy talk to thousands of protesters, Trump outlined his theory that the election was being stolen from him, urged supporters to “fight” and block election certification, and concluded later with “our incredible journey is just beginning.”

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) described the armed invasion of Congress that followed as an insurrection incited by the U.S. president. Others called it an “attempted coup” and “sedition.” Boiled-down, it was an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government, by far-right Trump supporters, who believe the election was stolen. Lawmakers managed to evacuate a minute before Senate chambers were breached.

One Trump insurrectionist died of a gunshot wound. Three others died from medical emergencies. One police officer died after being hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. More than 50 officers were injured.

The insurrectionists left behind a trail of destruction, the New York Post reported. Along with theft (including laptops with national security documents) and smashed windows, feces had been tracked around the halls of Congress by the invaders, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Outside the building sat a makeshift gallows with a noose.

A vast national investigation is being led by top law enforcement agencies. Those charged so far include a state lawmaker from West Virginia, who resigned after being charged with illegal entry. Federal law enforcement is scouring social media posts and video footage to identify those involved. Violent intent was confirmed with the discovery of Molotov cocktails and assault rifles, and bombs planted at both Democratic and Republican National Committee offices.

Videos revealed police officers letting protesters into restricted areas. At least one officer posed for a selfie with a member of the mob.

Trump’s presidential legacy, as compiled by The Atlantic magazine: a fifth of the world’s COVID-19 deaths occurred in the U.S.; Trump’s 2017 tax bill allows the wealthiest 400 American to pay less than every other income group; Trump withdrew the U.S. from 13 international organizations, agreements and treaties; in his first three years in office, 2.3 million people lost their health insurance; the number of admitted refugees fell from 85,000 annually to 12,000; 400 miles of U.S.-Mexico border wall were built; 80 environmental rules and regulations were reversed; the national debt went up 37 percent; and taxpayers and campaign donors enriched his family business by at least $8 million. But The Atlantic said the most lasting legacy is the fallout from his pattern of routine lying. Trump made 25,000 false or misleading statements (an average of 18 per day). The Atlantic noted that, with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter, all presidents have lied to a degree. Typically, it is done to cover up a scandal or mislead the public. Trump’s falsehoods are different: they have undermined reality, with blatant statements contrary to settled facts. What drives the ability of a listener to turn their back on facts, according to the book The Origins of Totalitarianism, cited by The Atlantic, is “a desire to escape from reality.” That can morph into total rejection of “elites,” such as scientists, who rely heavily on the reality of facts.

But, given the recent election outcome with the highest voter turnout in a century, one of Trump’s legacies is that “we learned that we still want democracy.”

Blast from the past: “A dying mule kicks the hardest.” The phrase is attributed to a saying in South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle.