Sharon Kennedy: Recalling the Capitol riot of 2020
Just when everything’s looking rosy and we’re still high on holiday eggnog, something comes along and upsets the apple cart — or in this case, the Capitol.
It’s hard to believe it was three years ago yesterday that we witnessed a vile attack on what we thought was a fortified building in Washington. Unlike some “insiders” who can’t remember where they were that day, I have no problem recalling exactly where I was and how I felt. I was sitting in my brother’s recliner in his living room. My feline friend, Miss Peggy, was on my lap. We were watching the Thom Hartmann Program when it was interrupted by news of the riot. I switched the channel to CNN and other cable news stations. I was horrified at what I saw. I felt sick.
It’s hard to believe people beyond the age of reason cannot recall where they were or what they were doing on Jan. 6, 2020. Recall is such a fickle thing. It’s not always reliable. Events get a little blurry, especially with the passing of time. Fact and fiction intermingle until it’s hard to distinguish one from the other. It’s like awakening from a dream and wondering if what we dreamed really happened. Sometimes it takes a couple of minutes to separate reality from dreamland. This becomes more difficult as we age.
Perhaps the folks who were in the West Wing and don’t remember much about that day should submit to an Alzheimer’s test with a well-respected physician. It’s crucial this be done before accepting an important government position or one in the private sector. A poor memory is not a sign of competency. I’m sure even Grandpa Joe remembers where he was on Jan. 6 two years ago.
There are times when it’s easy to forget someone’s birthday or anniversary, especially if we have lots of relatives or have been married a half dozen times. Dates tend to merge and blend together so it’s only natural we’re unsure about anything specific in our personal lives. We can be forgiven for our faulty memory of what might be considered an important date to others. A quick apology, a belated birthday card or an expensive anniversary gift will usually excuse our temporary slip-up.
However, when it comes to a spectacular national event like the assassination of a U.S. president or walking on the moon for the first time or an attempted Washington coup, there are not many excuses that pass the sniff test.
But maybe I’m being too harsh in my judgment of “insiders” who cannot recall their whereabouts on Jan. 6. They might have been at a shopping mall grabbing the last of the white sale items. Or perhaps they were vacationing in Mexico with someone other than their spouse. They might have been in the toilet and stayed there, too scared to do anything other than sit tight and keep the door locked. If the latter was the case, they deserve a pass because no one wants to admit they were scared s***less.
In the past two years, there’s been so much talk about 2020, sometimes I forget we’re not still there. It’s kind of like the movie “Groundhog Day” although it’s doubtful using our free will to choose “goodness” was the aim of those who were forgetful. But what do I know? Like a former commander-in-chief, I’m suspicious of people who “take the Fifth” or say they “do not recall.” One always wonders what they’re hiding.
— To contact Sharon Kennedy, send her an email at authorsharonkennedy.com. Kennedy's new book, "View from the SideRoad: A Collection of Upper Peninsula Stories," is available from her or Amazon.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sharon Kennedy: Recalling an event from 2020
