REGAN: Observation, intent and distortion

Contrary to opinion expressed in a recent column, a mind-reader isn’t necessary to accurately judge intent of others’ actions. If a nation lies that its neighbors are Nazis, repeatedly invades and steals their lands, bombs its cities and infrastructure into rubble, tortures, rapes and murders its civilians, rational observers correctly identify the invaders as barbaric war criminals.

Similarly, rational observers — watching the chaos, violence and murderous intent visited Jan. 6, 2021, on the U.S. Capitol, police, elected officials and staff — can accurately identify the invaders not as “tourists” nor “patriots” but as armed malign actors intent on preventing peaceful electoral transfer of power and overthrowing the government. No non-threatening, sit-down demonstrators chanted “We Need an Investigation!”

They built a gallows, chanted “Hang Mike Pence,” hunted for the vice-president, and 80-year-old Nancy Pelosi to drag her out of the Capitol by her hair. During a 4-hour siege, the Capitol and grounds suffered millions in damages while police were attacked with baseball bats, clubs, flag poles, pipes, batons, fencing pieces, a bike rack, bottles, shields, bear spray and tear gas, injuring 140 Capitol and Metropolitan officers. Police endured brain injuries, shattered spinal discs, cracked ribs, stab wounds, crush injuries, rib fractures, broken bones, chemical burns, a heart attack and death. Four officers committed suicide in the months after the attack and more than 150 officers left the police force. Survivors’ PTSD will last for years.

Claiming observers can’t possibly discern intent is gaslighting nonsense, not “common sense.” The proof: 22 months of investigations, testimony, prosecutions, convictions and prison sentences.

CAROLYN F. MATTOON

Hayden