Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Compassion


Dave and I tried to watch "Bridgerton" last night, given all the buzz about this Netflix show. We got 17 minutes into it before I turned to Dave and said, "I hate this." He said, "I do too." We turned it off.

It's entirely likely (even probable) that we gave up on it too early, but I truly don't understand the appeal. A bunch of people prancing around in Austenian garments, wielding posh accents, and having soft-core sex? If you're a fan, please help me understand what I am missing. Maybe I need to read some reviews.

Now, on to the real subject of this post. You may remember that I suggested a few days ago that Biden consider pardoning the Capitol rioters. I said that sort of off the cuff, but I've been thinking more about it. I probably shouldn't have said "pardon," because it's way too premature -- the cases haven't even been adjudicated. And I do think we need to seek some form of justice, particularly in the killing of the Capitol police officer.

But what I think would be immensely powerful is if the Biden administration -- the same people that those in the cult of Trump think are communist "Demonrats" who are going to exterminate white people and Christians and destroy the country -- instead showed some degree of compassion. Wouldn't it be a kick if Biden did the most Christian thing of all and forgave those people for their delusions? Where would that leave their expectations of persecution? Would it help defuse their anger? What could Biden do to show that he is, in fact, supportive of all Americans, liberal and conservative, even those on the fringes?

Believe me, I am as appalled and angry as anyone at what happened in the Capitol. But I think it could be argued that those demonstrators were manipulated and deceived by Trump, having already been made vulnerable by their own political paranoia. It could even be argued that people who believe in Q-Anon and similarly insane conspiracies need mental health care. I think many of them are essentially lonely, and spend a lot of time online feeling bonded to others in their twisted community, trading secrets that the rest of us don't get. They would hate being characterized that way, but the fact remains that manipulation of the vulnerable and the mentally unstable are extenuating circumstances when it comes to prosecutions.

One could even argue that there's been a measure of punishment already -- the public exposure, the loss of jobs, the national humiliation.

I'm not saying pardoning is the answer. Again, some punishment is appropriate, but I also think it will be incumbent on this government to reach out to those people somehow and show them that they are not despised, as they believe themselves to be. Working with them would go a long way toward defusing the fury of the right.

Perhaps charges could be dropped in all but the most extreme cases. Forgive the people who broke the windows and roamed around taking selfies, but prosecute the ones who stole government property and most directly caused that officer's death.

This perspective may be rooted in my years of practicing Zen Buddhism. I think a compassionate response to this situation could make all the difference in helping the country to move forward. Will there still be people who think Democrats are evil communists? Of course. It won't cause the keyboard warriors and gun nuts to set aside their weapons. But it might deprive them of another opportunity to be persecuted martyrs to their misguided cause.

So, something to think about. I'm not sure what the answer is. Which is why I'm not president, I guess.

(Photo: A billboard near Willesden Junction, torn up by storms a few weeks ago.)

55 comments:

Mitchell Block said...

I agree that perhaps charges could be dropped except in the extreme cases (sadly, there are a number of those). I don't think there can be a uniting of the country without some (more} give on "our" side. It will be interesting (heartbreaking) to see who Drumpf pardons today. And on a lighter note, We started watching Bridgerton expecting to hate it. It did improve after the first half hour. We actually enjoyed it. It's important to see it as a fantasy. I'm sure it won't have staying power for us. I mean six seasons?!? I loved the first couple of seasons of Gray's Anatomy and then found the characters inconsistent, the behaviors and outcomes unbelievable, and finally the story lines and escape from reality on a reality based drama too much to tolerate. I KNOW Bridgerton will get on my nerves. And oh all the softcore straight sex. At least the guys are hot. Ooh, sorry, a really long comment!

Steve Reed said...

Yeah, Trump may render all this moot if he pardons the protesters himself. I'm not sure he will, though.

Ursula said...

Like you I am all for compassion. As I haven't followed the "Capitol" story in detail (other than Trump's role in it) there is little I have to contribute. However, what strikes me in your post, and I'd caution against it, what I call "psychologizing" people; or, worse, naming them names. You talk of mental health problems of those who have a theory (which only to those who don't agree amounts to "conspiracy" ones). Careful when it comes to amateur and armchair psychology. We need to engage (as you advocate) not declare the other side as (more or less) deranged. Not least because the other side (and all those in between two sides) will have their own take on our mental abilities. By all accounts, and you have hinted at this before, the States are a divided country. Remember North and South? The Civil War? Scarlett O'Hara (to put a lighter touch on it - though the story itself is harrowing)?

Before I fall into essay mode, let me just say that (as shown again and again) mob mentality is when the individual leaves their brain (and moral compass) at the front door. People in groups, any group, will do things they'd never do if it were just them. Does that absolve them from being responsible for their actions? Sometimes. Sometimes not.

U

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Mr Biden is caught between a rock and a hard place isn't he? A degree of wisdom should be exercised in relation to Trump's ragbag mob of malcontents. After all when a pack of hounds kill the fox, who is more blameworthy - the baying dogs or the master of the hunt riding on his grey mare blowing his hunting horn?

I am anxious about the presidential pardons that Trump is likely to make on this - his last day in power.

Steve Reed said...

There was certainly mob mentality on display in this incident. As for the psychologizing, I agree it's hazardous and the people I'm psychologizing would resent it immensely. But I also think anyone who truly believes that Democrats drink baby blood and run pedophilia rings out of the non-existent basement of a Washington, D.C. pizza parlor are, in fact, mentally ill.

Steve Reed said...

Your allusion to hunting is apt, I think. We'll see what happens with those pardons.

Kevin Wood said...

NO NO NO.... they all should all be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
This wasn't some picnic that got a little out of hand... it was planned insurrection. End of story.

Steve Reed said...

It WAS planned insurrection. I don't dispute that at all.

Ms. Moon said...

I don't know, Steve. I just don't know. Perhaps it is the lowest form of me but I feel quite strongly that it is not pardons which are needed here. This was not a victimless crime. If these people get away scot-free, won't that further the idea in their minds that they, being white, can get away with almost anything? In this case, insurrection and treason and attempted murder? It is a beautiful idea that Biden would pardon them and I see your reasoning but in my mind, the severity of their actions, of their crimes, cannot be seen as pardonable.

Steve Reed said...

I guess the flip side, though, is that if they're all prosecuted and jailed, doesn't that intensify their hatred and make them all a cause celebre for their crazy right-wing pals? Does it widen the gulf rather than bridge it? Believe me, I don't know the answer either and I'm entirely open to the possibility that I am dead wrong -- but I'm trying to consider the best way to defuse the tension and anger.

Anonymous said...

I don't think pardons are the answer to an insurrection. I do think the only answer is enlightenment How does one get there? How does one awaken to a reality that we humans are one crazy reckless species on this aching planet? How does one awaken to the reality that despite the color of our skin, it is truly the content of our character that matters? Jail won't do that, but neither would a pardon. How do we rid the psyche of hatred? Is it possible?

Bob said...

hI think the rioters that went INSIDE the building and broke windows and doors and defecated on the floors--yes, some did that dn used their feces to write on the walls--and stole things, should be jailed.
The others? Maybe not so much.

I have this aversion to the new 'It' thing and tend to avoid it at all costs, so Bridgerton is a 'No' for me.

Sharon said...

I watched the second episode of Bridgerton last night. It's getting interesting. I haven't seen enough to grade it yet.
Your thoughts on the some forgiveness of the rioters are something to think about. I'll give that some thought. As long as such a high percentage of elected officials still push the same lies, I'm not sure it would work.

Red said...

You and I are forgiving people but if we pardon any of these people they will think that they won a great victory. they just don't get it.

Debby said...

I guess that I would look at it from this point of view. When someone understands what they've done wrong and comes to you to ask pardon, by all means, as a Buddist, or a Christian, or what have you, the pardon should be forthcoming. However many of these people still think they'd done nothing wrong. Many of these people feel themselves to be great patriots. Many of these people will do this same thing again. Indeed, they are threatening to do it even as I type.

Steve Reed said...

That's a good point. A certain degree of repentance is usually necessary for forgiveness, isn't it?

Steve Reed said...

They really DON'T get it. That's true.

Steve Reed said...

OK, I'm impressed you made it to two episodes! I think we should probably try it again. (Sigh!) And yes, it is frustrating that elected representatives who should know better are touting the same conspiracies -- probably to bolster their own popularity with their constituents.

Steve Reed said...

There's also restitution. I think paying for the damage is fair. I suspect many of these people won't ultimately be sentenced to jail even if they are prosecuted, but I could be wrong.

Steve Reed said...

That really IS the million-dollar question, isn't it? I think the only way to eliminate hatred and anger is with kindness, but admittedly it doesn't always work. There are people who simply ignore any proffered kindness -- indeed, mock it as weakness -- and go on hating. What do we do with them? I have no idea.

Soupspoone said...

Steven, I am sensing a repetition of old behaviours here.
I hope SHADOWS LIGHT doesn’t become a platform for these.
Best Wishes,
Soupspoone

Catalyst said...

I say lobotomize them.

Steve Reed said...

LOL! Not so compassionate! :)

Steve Reed said...

You let me worry about that, OK? :)

John Going Gently said...

People are angry and frightened and when they feel listened to , as they did with Trump , they suddenly have a hero and a champion
People are essentially good

Steve Reed said...

I agree, John. I think Trump was just using them, but they felt heard. Is there some way we can make them feel heard by a more mainstream leader?

The Bug said...

It really is a hard decision to make - what's best for the nation? What would be most effective in nipping all of this in the bud (although "bud" is probably wrong - we need to pollard these people!). Note: I am not advocating pruning actual people.

Ellen D. said...

Biden has said over and over that he will be a president for all of the people and his speeches are filled with compassion for others. I hope his words and actions will reach all people and help us heal as a country.
I read Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" yesterday and recommend it to all who have not read it yet. His profound words are so moving and thoughtful.
I am so glad that Biden/Harris will be in charge. Wishing us peace!

John Going Gently said...

I hope so

Linda Sue said...

pardons are doled out like the priests behind the curtain doling out eleventy million "Hail Marys' and "our Fathers" to redeem the evil doer- they are not valid. Pardons passed around like ice cream samples at Cost co. misses the intent of Presidential pardons in the first place. No. No pardons. Addressing their issues may be more effective. Listening is the most effective part of conversation. Pardoning is saying you have been unjustly judged.

Linda Sue said...

oh, and I agree, I could not make it through the first ten minutes of Brigerton.

Linda Sue said...

held accountable for the damage and fined heavily for the insurrection. jail is not the answer to much of anything.Money out of their pocket might get their attention, though...

Margaret said...

I watched it, but thought it was ridiculous most of the time. It was a Regency bodice ripper. As Rege-Jean Page says, "Jane Austen meets Gossip Girl meets 45 Shades of Gray." Why did I even finish it? I got attached to a couple of the characters, so I ignored the silliness. My parental side says tough love and consequences are needed here. Finding the right buttons to push and hitting them in their finances if that works.

Linda Sue said...

"Moreover, a pardon could increase one type of risk: When a pardon eliminates the possibility that the recipient might be prosecuted for a purely federal crime, it also eliminates the ability of that person to invoke the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in order to avoid testifying about it. Thus, pardon recipients subpoenaed before Congress or a grand jury would be compelled to talk; if they lied or refused to testify, that would be a new crime." - so, there is that...

Angelicastar said...

I am not compassionate when it come to stupidity. These were adults involved in theft and murder. Meaning the police officers and not the others. They got what they came and bargain for. More of them should have been killed. Even if Joe forgave them, it will only make them feel like they can get away with anything. Like their leader trump think, even if he killed someone. This young lady that stole Pelosi lap top and tried to sell it to the Russians. Her ass need to be burned. Even if all of us showed compassion for them they will still be the same because this is how their mind work. It doesn't work like ours because if it did they wouldn't have gone to the capitol. Burn their asses.

Jennifer said...

These people wouldn't be moved by forgiveness and pardons. They would laugh and claim they had "owned the libs". I truly believe that. Plus, they MUST pay for their crimes for their to be any justice in this country. Black and brown people have been overpaying for THEIR crimes for....forever. These entitled criminals, smug with their privilege, deserve to pay more than most.

Steve Reed said...

I'm with you. I hope Biden is successful in bringing us a more united country, and I am THRILLED he and Harris are in charge!

Steve Reed said...

Sometimes pruning doesn't seem like such a bad idea! LOL

But yeah, that's the question -- what will move the country forward.

Steve Reed said...

As I said in my post, "pardon" may not have been the right term to use when I wrote it a few days ago. There really can't be a pardon without a conviction first. (I read that the 5th Amendment consideration arose when Trump was thinking about pardoning himself or his family.) I guess I'm thinking more of leniency in prosecution. But as you can see, I may be alone in advancing this argument! LOL

Steve Reed said...

Well, I guess if you got attached to some of the characters, it wasn't a total failure! We may give it another try, but Dave and I concluded it just wasn't really our thing. You may be right about the tough love. I honestly don't know what the best answer is.

Steve Reed said...

That woman who stole the laptop and allegedly tried to sell it to the Russians really IS guilty of sedition, if that's proven to be the case. I wouldn't object to prosecuting that! I think anyone on the right OR the left could see that as a potentially treasonous act.

Steve Reed said...

Well, that's probably true -- they wouldn't even appreciate being shown leniency. They'd just bluster that the government didn't have anything on them and continue on their merry seditious way.

Anonymous said...

Instinctively I disagree with you but it is worth thinking about. It would be much easier to come up with a conclusion if it was a more decisive victory for Biden but so many people voted for the megalomaniac.

Michael said...

I watched the first episode of Bridgerton and asked myself, "What's all the buzz about?" I am not sure if I'll watch the second. I don't envy President Biden. (It sounds so good writing President Biden) He has some hard choices ahead of him and a divided country to hopefully heal.

Janie Junebug said...

I haven't watched Bridgerton or anything else on Netflix of late. I'm concerned that if the mob is forgiven, their response will be "Look what we've done to the suckers and losers." I'm a firm believer in compassion, but it's lost on some people. I'm glad you're discussing the issue, though.

Love,
Janie

Mike O'Brien said...

I've been thinking a lot about your previous post, Steve, and the responses to it. I'm one of the few that lean toward your side on this. There's a great deal to be said for restorative justice, which is not the same as leniency or forgiveness. And no, I have no idea if/how it would work, either. But taking a different approach seems the only way out of this awful mess. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

Hoping that tomorrow (today already for you?) goes smoothly.

Chris from Boise

Unknown said...

I love a good historical drama or romance, but Bridgerton was terrible. I flicked through a few episodes and it just got worse. Bad acting by the two main characters didn't help either.
J

Steve Reed said...

Yes, it is disconcerting how much support he got. I still think, though, that a lot of those people held their noses and voted for him. I think they wanted a Republican and he was their only option.

Steve Reed said...

Biden is definitely in a tough position. I think as time passes all but the most hard-core Trump supporters will normalize, but it would be great if we could accelerate the process and take some healing action.

Steve Reed said...

They might say that, it's true. But that's probably a danger whenever you extend an olive branch. That's why a lot of people have so much trouble doing it! It creates vulnerability on both sides.

Steve Reed said...

Hi Chris, mysteriously posting as Mike! "Restorative Justice" -- YES -- that's the term I needed here. An approach that makes these people feel heard and not persecuted, but that also provides a degree of penalty. Is such a thing possible? How can Biden bring these extremists into the fold, thereby (hopefully) making them less extreme? Thanks for supporting me on this! :)

Steve Reed said...

Ha! That's a pretty decisive review! We basically decided it's just not our thing. We don't like romantic costume dramas that much under the best of circumstances.

Chris and Mike said...

LOL, Mike is the Other Half. His computer insists upon announcing itself.

ellen abbott said...

well, I missed this post nd you make some good points. Trump should definitely be convicted and the ones who did actual damage but maybe let the larkers off lightly.

37paddington said...

The appeal of Bridgerton? Well The Duke of Hastings was rather pretty. And the racially inclusive casting won some points with people, including me. It was confection, high camp in costume. If you tried to take it too seriously I imagine it would be quite galling. As for the Capitol mob, I think leniency sends exactly the wrong message. We're now learning there were people in that mob with murder and hostage taking on their minds. We're just lucky it wasn't much worse.