What Did The Person In Charge Think?

For John, BLUF:  The idea that there was a uniform sense amongst all those demonstrating on Capitol Hill on 6 January strikes me as ludicrous.  Yet some want us to walk in that direction, in lockstep.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

---

FBI Cannot ‘Disclose the Cause of Death’ of Officer Brian Sicknick:  Director Wray

From The Epoch Times, by Reporter Jack Phillips, 2 March 2021.

Here is the lede plus three:

The FBI “cannot disclose the cause of death” of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, after The New York Times and other news outlets either retracted or updated reports claiming he was killed by being hit with a fire extinguisher during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.

FBI Director Christopher Wray responded to a question from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) during a Senate hearing on Tuesday about whether the agency has determined Sicknick’s cause of death.  Grassley noted “conflicting reports” about his cause of death and whether there is a homicide investigation.

“There is an ongoing investigation into his death,” Wray said, adding that “I certainly understand … and appreciate the keen interest in what happened to him.”

But despite Wray’s testimony, it’s still unclear whether the FBI does not know Sicknick’s cause of death or whether the agency simply will not disclose it.

It sounds to me like FBI Director Christopher Wray is being too clever by half.  It seems he won't disclose what he knows.  Is it something about FBI Directors?  Mr Wray reminds me somewhat of James Comey.

On the other hand, Director Wray was quick to attribute the overall fracus to "white nationalism":

Meanwhile, Wray described the Jan. 6 incident as “domestic terrorism” and claimed it coincided with the rise of white nationalism and extremism in the United States in recent years.

Frankly, I find the term "White Nationalism" offensive and a form of discrimination.  It seeks to catagorize a whole group of people on the basis of actions by a few, based on supposed skin color.  In other words, Mr Wray is playing to an audience.

That said, there were, I am sure, ignorant people on that day who thought that this was all about "race".  It was not.  The actions of a few obscured the more peaceful intent of the many.  Those few need to be condemned.  Then there are others, who thought it right to push around elected representatives.  They too were wrong.  They too need to be condemned for their actions that day.

Finally, there were enthusiastic citizens present.  After the doors were opened they poured through, hundred of them.  They need to be sat down and given a talk on situational awareness.  Help them see when things started to go wrong.  When they should have backed out, walked away.

And, finally, if any agents provocateurs were present they should be punished to the full extent of the law.

Having said that, I know at least one responsile person who thinks the demonstrators should have been met by a wall of police with weapons drawn and ready to shoot the demonstrators if they did not disperse.  I think that would be a bad look and would have garnered sympathy for the demonstrators.  The real question is what was Speaker Pelosi thinking?  Ultimtely, she is responsible for the protection of the Capitol.

Regards  —  Cliff