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As a 73-year-old American who believes strongly in our U.S. democracy, I was sad to read that 49 Maine House Republican representatives did not vote to condemn the domestic terrorism that took place at our U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Three Hancock County Maine House Republican members, Reps. Sherm Hutchins from Penobscot, Kathy Downes from Bucksport and Billy Bob Faulkingham from Winter Harbor, did not vote to support the resolution.
Do they approve of the hate and violence everyone saw on TV, where supporters of Donald Trump broke down doors and windows to unlawfully enter, damage and defecate in the Capitol Building? To me, their vote sanctions the beating of police officers with flag poles, fists and a baseball bat.
I was proud to hear that the Maine State Senate unanimously condemned the Jan. 6 insurrection. The five House Republicans who did vote to condemn the insurrection made their party stronger and showed their integrity. The director of the FBI labeled what happened as domestic terrorism. Were the 49 Republican “leaders” afraid to condemn the thugs and terrorists who stormed our U.S. Capitol building and caused death and destruction?
Thankfully the joint resolution commemorating the Jan. 6 insurrection passed because all Democratic and the five Republican members voted for it.
Rev. Charles Stephens
Blue Hill