A little over one year ago, I published an article entitled, “United We Stand – Divided We Fall”. The article was focused on the need for Republicans and Conservatives to stand together because together we are stronger. I offered the following Aesop Fable to support my ideas on the matter.
United We Stand --- Divided We Fall. This is a saying, a concept that is known to all of us. It is as old as Aesop’s Fables. In the 6th Century BC, Aesop gave us the fable: The Four Oxen and the Lion … a lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time, the lion tried to attack the oxen; but whenever he came near, they turned their tails to one another … so that whichever way he approached them, he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then, the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
In addition to the Aesop Fable, there is a biblical tale “The Bundle of Sticks”.
An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a bundle of sticks and said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. “Untie the bundle,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break it” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning,” said their father.
And those of you who know the Bible … Mark 3:25 - And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
As we approach the 2024 Presidential election season, the message … United We Stand … is being tested as the Republican’s leading candidate in the polls, Donald Trump, faces 4 indictments for “crimes” allegedly committed during the 2020 election. One of these alleged crimes is focused on the January 6th riots that took place on Capitol Hill. As we all know, the Democrats, who controlled the House on January 6th, impeached Dolald Trump for the alleged crimes of that date … and subsequently, the United States Senate found Donald Trump to be not guilty. But that did not stop the effort to keep Donald Trump from seeking the Presidency in 2024. Next, the Justice Department set lose their own attack dog, Jack Smith, to develop novel interpretations of the law. Smith did not disappoint as he brought charges against Trump in Federal Court.
Now, it’s important to understand that with all the effort put in by Jack Smith to contort the law, there is one thing he did not charge … and it is significant. He did not charge Trump with “Insurrection”. That one word … Insurrection … is already beginning to test Republican resolve to stand united.
By all accounts, Jan 6th was a dark chapter in the history of the country. However, it did not rise to the level of an insurrection … a riot, for sure … a really bad riot, perhaps. But despite all the hype by the January 6th Commission, the DOJ’s attack dog did not make a charge of insurrection against Trump. There is plenty of reason to think Smith really wanted to --- but the law would not support it.
The word “Insurrection” is critical to those who want to deny Trump a place on the ballot because under the 14th Amendment, Section 3 of the Constitution states: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Imagine this … Democrats have been trying to use this amendment to keep Trump off the ballot in their states despite the reality that … while it may be their opinion that an insurrection took place on Jan 6th … the facts do not support a legal conclusion to support use of the 14th Amendment. We might expect Democrat legislatures to try this tactic. What we should not expect to see is a GOP legislature taking actions or espousing rhetoric to accomplish the work on behalf the Democrats. But we only have to look to the great state of New Hampshire and their State AG.
Today, the AG of the State of New Hampshire … a Republican, although I suspect an anti-Trumper … announced that he is investigating using the 14th Amendment in an effort to keep Trump off the ballot in New Hampshire. This appears to fly in the face of Republican voters in that state and across the country. You can bet that if New Hampshire is allowed to get away with this, there will be other states across the country … both Democrat and Republican … who will pile on. And they will do so, despite the wishes of the voters.
If you were worried about foreign interference in our elections in the past, fear not --- we have met the enemy and he is us
Mark 3:25 - And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.