Hi Roger,
I don't think I could agree with you on most of the points you make, but thank you nonetheless for making them in a cogent and civil way.
I think this following remark of yours is most relevant to the main point I wanted to make.
(And how I wish now I'd never mentioned the convoy. But I did, didn't I...
)
roger hao wrote: It gets back to what I said about what you might be exposed to.
My opinion is that the legal and constitutional condition is at heightened awareness
and being honed to sharpness rather than destroyed.
Well, what I was "exposed to" was the President's own words, saying on multiple occasions that he might not respect the election result because it would be 'crooked' or 'fake' or suchlike, or refusing to confirm when asked that he
would respect the election result. (Unless he wins, of course). And then to my knowledge, once (!) saying he would respect the result. With him being him, with promises or statements often being reversed or 'forgotten', that's still a clear statistical overhang towards the incumbent president casting doubt on whether he will vacate the White House if he loses the election. Based very much on his own words, so clearly no 'propaganda' from other sources involved here. Which is kinda... unprecedented. As regards, you know, confidence in democracy, rule of law, stuff like that, etc. That's what I'm trying to say.
If you think this is a positive thing, something which is
'honing the legal and constitutional condition to sharpness', then I find that a startling and to me questionable take on the issue. As said, even as a non-American it scares the bejesus out of me. So even if he does lose, and then departs more or less gracefully (would be nice), it seems to me that clear damage has already been done to the democratic institution.
If one person kicks a few bricks out of the house foundations, the house may still stand. But the bricks are gone and it makes it easier (weakens the fabric, and creates a precedent) for like-minded people to come along later and do some more kicking. But this of course is my opinion again. What is NOT my opinion is the above-mentioned statements by POTUS. 'Read my lips', and so on.