Love is still the answer
A snow-topped tree overlooks the water along the Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
This week, for the first time, the presidential inauguration will be guarded by 25,000 troops in the nation's capital, with National Guard soldiers there from all 50 states. Also, government buildings are heavily guarded throughout the nation.
That's the current security posture following the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, of Vermont, gave a first-hand account of what it's like in Washington D.C. right now, during a phone-in Town Hall with Vermonters on Tuesday.
"If you were in the area, you couldn't get within eight or 10 blocks of the Capitol, the Mall, the Lincoln Memorial or the White House," Welch said. He was sad it had to be that way, because Jan. 20 is supposed to be a day of "public and civic celebration," the congressman said.
But the good news is that the inauguration will go forward, Welch said Tuesday.
"That's going to happen tomorrow, and we're going to get Joe Biden working on COVID and on some economic relief," he said.
On Tuesday night, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris hosted a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor victims of COVID-19, as the nation passed a total of 400,000 deaths from the virus. It was a powerful image of national mourning, and also an acknowledgement of the tumult of the past year, which has impacted the entire country.
Looking at the image of the 400 lights around the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was sobering, but also incredibly inspiring. It was a national moment, at a time in our history where we haven’t had many invitations to jointly reflect as a nation, together. Such a moment is beautifully normal, and something we must do, especially after such a challenging time when we need each other.
Tonight, the country is poised to enter a new time of leadership. It begins with much work to do as a nation. Whatever your political view is, it's clear this will be a time of change during an especially difficult part of our history. But instead of retreating to the comfort of tired political arguments, or sinking into fear, we should look forward more simply: Just start this new chapter with love. That is this country's most powerful protector, which will also serve to strengthen the fabric of our society and unveil new ways we can bridge our differences and work together.
We've felt the sharp edge of political division. Now, we have a great mountain to climb, and many hard steps line the path forward. But only one thing leads up to a better future by fostering genuine collaboration for the greater good. Love breaks patterns of distrust and leavens thought, leaving room for compassion to encourage more constructive, more understanding connections. That is the solution to guide the moment. Love has been the answer before, and still is.
— Gareth Henderson
