A stain on our nation

On Jan. 6, I found myself watching the attack on the Capitol in complete horror. American citizens repeatedly chanted, carried mammoth American and Trump flags along with some most notable racist flags across the Capitol’s manicured lawn, up the majestic steps, through the newly broken window panes, crossed the newly demolished hallowed doorways, and proudly paraded through the sacred walls only to viciously assault Capitol police, dismantle relics and offices, and deliberately seek out our duly elected officials to sadistically atone with their lives.

Most tragically, somehow … in some minds … that this somehow portrays actions of patriotism is well beyond any line in any American history books. The Americans who chose to demonstrate are all well within their rights, yet when they also chose to participate or to stand idly by and watch and not intervene into the multiple egregious assaults, this is in no way an American patriot; not in the history of our nation, my view nor in the world’s view.

There is a substantial stain on the Capitol lawn, the steps, and throughout the confines of our nation’s Capitol. Wholeheartedly, this stain will line the pages of our history books for generations, photos and video clips that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for years to come will view as not patriotic acts, but a body of facts of those who participated, and of those who blatantly chose to be spectators while there was a horrendous attack on the very pillars of our American Constitution and the fabric of our democracy. Where do you see yourself?

NANCY FISCHER

Jacksonville