Stories of hope from the insurrection, Part 6

The violent insurrection in Washington, D.C.  Wednesday was both utterly predictable and unimaginable. My feelings about those events go well beyond the scope of this blog, so instead of laying out my feelings, I’m going to share a variety of responses to how our media responded to these events over the next few days.

While there have been endless dark stories coming out of last week’s insurrection in Washington, D.C., there have also been some positive signs coming forward as well. People standing up for what is right, companies trying to uphold public civility, moments of grace. Here are a few things that have given me hope:

C-SPAN gives us live, uninterrupted by commentary, coverage of the debates in congress over how to respond to last week’s events. When so much of cable news becomes a shout-fest that ignores what is actually being said, C-SPAN is a breath of fresh air. Actually hear what both Republicans and Democrats are saying:

I don’t always want to hear everything, but when I do, C-SPAN is the place for it.

Commentators who take the long view on current issues. For example, journalism prof Michael Socolow wrote about how preserving net neutrality would be a force for expanded free speech… 14 years ago.

Actor/former Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent out a heart-felt message on how an Austrian immigrant reacted to last week’s violence.  While some of what he says is a bit tone-deaf, it is refreshing to hear a celeb making a thoughtful response that lasts more than 30 seconds.

And finally, my favorite story from last week – the story about New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim getting down on his hands and knees after the attack on the Capitol to pick up all the trash left in the rotunda. Instead of making privileged complaints about metal detectors, he was physically cleaning up the mess left behind by the rioters. What a model for a public servant who remembers the service part of his job.