Personal Perspective on January 6, 2020 Capitol Insurrection, Trump & How We React
Folks, I am not a politician or a journalist. I don't post often. In this case I have to. I cannot just sit by. Politically I am independent - I vote for people, not party. The U.S. Capitol insurrection is a symptom of deeper ills & a president who is unhinged & whose values offend me - self-aggrandizement, lying & a racist. In our reactions after yesterday, let's be careful. I have been fortunate & worked in 50+ countries. Today I received a private email from a Costa Rican saying: "To everyone in the US media who is saying “We only see things like this in third world countries” I take offense and have this to say: I live in a third world country and we don’t do shit like this! We respect the transition of power! We have universal health care and a world-class health care system. Our voting system is recognized worldwide for being just and transparent. And we wear masks and don’t bitch about it!" To my friend, THANK YOU. I would also note that the term being used by some, "banana republic", is offensive. Unfortunately too many times American companies & our government played a role in making or keeping them as "banana republics" or dysfunctional governments. We should celebrate that we are overcoming all this stupidity, I think/hope, e.g. the commitment to law & our constitution by Congress last night & early this morning, massive voter turnouts by American voters from the full political spectrum & efforts to stop racism, voter suppression & gender discrimination. From where I sit, probably half of those who voted for Trump did so because of policies & laws he advocated for that they support. Though I may disagree with some of those policies, legitimate differences are OK. The other half of those voting for Trump may be "Trumpers" - those who have aligned with a demagogue not unlike dictators in many countries where I have worked, whose values are an affront to me & my heritage. We can do better. Thank you to Vermont governor Scott & others who are speaking up, even when this may provoke angry reaction. I know these are only words right now, but action will follow, & thank you for reading. Keep safe, Richard
president at vista fabrics
3 年Well said. That term 3 RD world country is a vestige of the Cold War. All countries are the same. I hate flag waving and so called patriotism. It’s a slippery slope. It gets lots of people killed. I was called unpatriotic when I Opposed US in Vietnam. Hmmmmmm
Head of sustainability - Skogss?llskapet
3 年Thank you Richard for sharing your perspective in this matter! A big part of the world has their eyes on the US (always, but especially these days) and there are many things that raises questions around what is happening right now in the most powerful country in the world. I get the feeling that you (and subsequently we) stand at a tipping point and we can only hope things will fall in the right direction. So much (none the less within our field of forest and environment) is on stakes now.
HSEQ Management - Health-, Safety-, Environment-, Quality Consultant, Lead Auditor
3 年Thank U, Mr. Donovan for setting a perspective and for defending the Pride of The Real USA which is documented i your Constitution. I (still) want to believe that the Principles set in this Document will be Maintained and Protected by the Majority Of Americans. ??
Forest Sustainability Consultant / Ex-Board Member at Forest Stewardship Council - FSC
3 年Thanks Richard! It is important that people are not influenced by hot last minute words and thoughts! There are much more behind scenes!
Chief Operating Officer at World Forest Group LLC
3 年Thanks Richard, fuerte y claro. No more words needed. Lucky us that have had the chance to work in different cultures, and have an open mind.