An assailant broke into the Pelosi home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. I'm happy to hear that he is expected to make a full recovery. Like many in our nation we are wondering what actually happened and what might be some of the motivations. More importantly, how do we stop these things from happening again?
It appears the perpetrator had posted all types of conspiracy theories online and had some radical political leanings "Where is Nancy?". The nature of politics is thus that rationality is sometimes thrown out the window. We could minimize these conspiracy theories if our leaders stay focus on factual evidence based conclusions and solutions (Most do but a large percentage bank off of misinformation and chaos creation as avenues to power).
Interesting questions arise that would help determine the nature of the attack. For example, the time the person broke in could be an issue, did they steal anything, were they looking at other things, what comments they made, why a hammer versus other weapon, age could be a factor, etc.
On the surface I don't think they were a professional unless they intentionally wanted to look unprofessional (Likewise, I would assume this person had no real exit strategy.). A hammer seems sort of a tool of convenience more then something someone might plan out in advance. Its just a brute tool (...weapon choice likely indicates state of mind and capacity)!
Either way, we need to get a handle on crime and domestic extremism. I think we should learn to tackle this issue (I'm not sure we are doing as much as we should on a local level where we might first experience these types of behaviors among people who are familiar with the person. In some cases the precursor behaviors to these incidents are given wink and nod if serving a particular agenda or against a particular group. The risks to our democracy are on the local hate based level that often make their way onto a national level. i.e. Capital Riots. We are a social species so when leaders hype up the rhetoric to the point that we are looking at others as "less than" we begin to have increases in similar behaviors and that eats at the safety and security of society. If we believe in "...one Nation under God, indivisible...." then we must talk and act like it.) before we start looking like we have to spending significant resources protecting and defending ourselves from random lone wolves spurred by destructive political rhetoric of coming from some members of both sides. Once we start needed security everywhere go, we start looking different as a nation; things become more fatalistic like they do in declining nations. Let us not drag our feet on bi-partisan solutions. Its a current hurdle our nation faces and must be overcome to move into its next state of development where we are all rowing in the same direction (Using our unique backgrounds and political perspective to solve problems.).
(I'm a light R Republican and no matter the politics or the party we have responsibilities to maintain our sense of moral direction and national community and concern. I find the behavior of breaking into homes, this or any other, highly inappropriate and hope the Mr. Pelosi has a speedy recovery. There are certain basic things we all should agree upon and that is peace and safety are the seams that keep this country together. Whether terrorism, extremism, theft or mental health we all have the right within our local communities, homes, and across the nation to feel a sense of safety. There is no place for hate even if we don't like someone's politics, policies. race, religion, etc. Unfortunately, we are still dealing with trying to understand the mental health aspects of how these things come about on a local level and when track and solve policies might be helpful when someone is prone to the projection of hate based violence. Whether powerful or powerless, rich or poor, connected or unconnected, religious or not religious, etc. people have the right to live without fear that someone is going to "get rid of the problem" {Problem being subjective to the perpetrators misunderstands. )
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