Citizens Respond
“Citizens Respond” 1/27/2021
I sit here at my computer reflecting on recent events, savoring a glass of my homemade iced tea while I await the arrival of FBI agents at my door. I have no direct knowledge of their imminent arrival but, since I and my compatriots have been tarred with the label ‘domestic terrorist’ by Moe Davis and various dimwitted TV talking heads, I am sure it is only a matter of time before I am scooped up in this century’s biggest manhunt. Yes, I attended the rally in Washington, D.C. on January 6th along with many thousands of patriots including some from Polk and other local counties. And No, I did not witness or partake in any violence or any other illegal activity that day. As far as I know, that is true of everyone from this area who attended the rally. What I did witness was hundreds of thousands of patriotic Americans who came from across this country to show their support for President Donald Trump, to peaceably assemble and exercise their rights to free speech and to petition the government. What I have witnessed since our return is something quite different.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners recently heard comments from several local residents, concerning the events of January 6th, who expressed their fears about who might be lurking among them. A more ludicrous display of overwrought hand wringing I have not seen in some time. One person asked for a list of those who made the trip to D.C. so that it could be provided to the FBI. (At this point I glance at my copy of “1984” on the bookshelf.) Do these complainants expect the people of Polk County to accept this vision of hooded nightriders ready to drag innocent people out of their beds? If push came to shove and actual violent arsonists and rioters, like BLM or Antifa, came to town, it would be I and others like me who these whiners would be hiding behind. At no time have I heard of concerns about violent insurrectionists brought up to the county board after Antifa attacked a police station or BLM burned down a small business. Please remind me of any instance when local Democrats decried the destruction of American cities by those fascist groups or of steps, they recommended be taken to ensure the peace and tranquility of Polk County. Spare me the fevered displays of outrage from Democrats who care not one whit about the lives lost and businesses destroyed if they think it serves their political goals or because they lack the moral backbone to stand up to real thugs.
Rather than address each complainant, I will concentrate on one individual who, I believe, represents what was an obvious attempt by Democrats to paint all Republicans with a broad brush. Ray Gasperson, former Polk County Commissioner, who is no doubt smarting after being roundly defeated in his reelection attempt, complains about “the widespread use of misinformation and disinformation.” Pardon me if I do not accept Ray Gasperson as an unimpeachable source of the truth. Has Mr. Gasperson ever condemned the outrageous campaign of baseless lies alleging that President Donald Trump had colluded with the Russians and that he was a tool of Vladimir Putin? Has he ever decried the many times that President Trump was called a dictator, or his supporters were called NAZIs? Has Mr. Gasperson denounced the outrageous tweet by Moe Davis calling for a “domestic war” on his political opponents? Of course not, and we now see the same type of hyperbole and slander recklessly strewn about without concern for the consequences. Mr. Gasperson, while campaigning for reelection, regularly described himself to voters as a ‘fiscal conservative.’ When speaking to those voters, I would offer them the alternative of voting for candidates who were consistently conservative. The voters of
Polk County apparently recognized the difference and I trust that they will recognize Mr. Gasperson’s hypocrisy in this case also.
Emboldened by the new Biden administration, the events of January 6th are now being used to justify a crackdown on Republicans and Conservatives in general. Social media accounts are being closed down and entire social media platforms are denied support or internet access. Republican politicians who refuse to knuckle under to the orthodoxy are attacked relentlessly, accused of complicity in terrorism. CNN and other mainstream media are openly calling for Fox News to be barred from cable; Mike Lindell, the ‘MyPillow Guy’ can no longer sell his products in certain stores because he had the temerity to support President Trump; the Department of Homeland Security has issued a nationwide alert, citing domestic anti-government extremists opposed to Joe Biden.
Let me be clear: the members of the Republican Party of Polk County will not be intimidated; we will not be cowed into submission. We will continue to fight for our Conservative beliefs and to proclaim the truth as we know it. We will support and defend the Constitution of the United States as we have sworn to do, and we will do it fearlessly.
Gene Comiskey, Treasurer
Polk County Republican Party