2000:Supreme Court Makes George W. Bush The New President-Elect
On December 12, 2000, the United States witnessed a pivotal moment in its electoral history. The U.S. Supreme Court, sharply divided, reversed a Florida state court’s decision to recount ballots in one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history. This ruling effectively handed the presidency to George W. Bush over his opponent, Al Gore. The election underscored the critical role of the judiciary in electoral disputes and highlighted the enduring deficiencies of the Electoral College system. The decision remains a landmark controversial case in the legal and political arenas.
1870: Joseph H. Rainey Is First Black Man To Join Congress
On this day in 1870, Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina was sworn in as the first Black lawmaker to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born into slavery, Rainey rose to prominence during the Reconstruction era, advocating for civil rights and equality. His groundbreaking entry into Congress symbolized a significant step forward for African Americans in politics, occurring at a time when the nation grappled with the challenges of rebuilding after the Civil War. Rainey’s service paved the way for future generations of Black legislators.
2015: Adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
On December 12, 2015, nearly 200 nations convened in Paris and adopted the Paris Agreement, a historic global pact to combat climate change. This landmark accord called for collective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, with aspirations of keeping it below 1.5 degrees. While the agreement imposed no binding sanctions, it represented an unprecedented level of international cooperation on environmental issues. The accord marked a turning point in global awareness of climate action, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all nations to address an existential threat to humanity.
2020: Rallies in Washington Discount Electoral Integrity
On December 12, 2020, thousands of supporters of the failed incumbent president gathered in Washington, D.C., to rally against the certified results of the 2020 presidential election, which had been decisively won by Joe Biden. These events highlighted the intense polarization within the United States and underscored the challenges to democratic norms and institutions. The rallies served as a precursor to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, which further strained the nation’s political fabric and emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional processes.
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December 12th, When Democracy Slipped
It may not be said very often, if at all, but over the past two centuries of experience, it is absolutely evident that the survival of a democracy relies entirely on people being well informed. In contrast, tyranny thrives on people being mal-informed.
On December 12, 2020, thousands of deceived Americans rallied against the certified results of the recent presidential election. They acted upon the behest of their president who consistently and persistently lied to them about the election results as well as what they could do to fight it. Thousands of Americans went to the streets that day, misinformed by the lies of their leaders and/or by their own prejudices. Little harm was done that day. However, this rally can be seen as a precursor to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.
Disintegration of democracy in the United States began well before the 45th president entered the oval office. A milestone event took place also on a December 12th, again in Washington, D.C. On December 12 in the year 2000, the United States Supreme Court made a decision that the justices have been embarassed to talk about ever since. Five conservative justices voted against four non-partisan justices for the state of Florida to stop counting votes in the presidential election. With that decision, five Supreme Court justices essentially determined who would be the next president of the United States – a decision that in a democracy, should be made by the voters.
This one decision enabled the corruption that followed. The administration of George W Bush was caught off-guard September 11, 2001, when Islamist terrorists pulled off the bloodiest terror attack in United States history. Leadership was absent in Washington, D.C., as not one elected official took responsibility or held himself accountable for their failure. Instead, with the help of a Republican Congress, they shored up greater powers for the president – powers the president could use unilaterally, without the consent of Congress.
The corruption that ensued led to two prolonged wars, hundreds of thousands killed, and a very severe economic disaster. The greater harm came from how these events were presented to people. Conservative media portrayed the acts of the George W Bush administration as not only normal, but as befitting a great leader, which George W Bush wasn’t.
Conservative media portrayed the Republican party as the party of freedom and toughness, when it came to matters of national security. Conservative media portrayed all Democrats as evil and against Christian values. Fed a diet of lies and distortions every day over months and years, viewers of Conservative Media and avid supporters of the Republican party believed the untruths and distortions they listened to everyday.
When the Obama administration actually succeeded in restoring the economy, and actually succeeded in taking out Osama Bin Laden, and actually succeeded in securing affordable health care for many Americans, Conservative media continued to portray Obama as incompetent and evil. And the viewers of conservative media bought that depiction.
The same misinformed viewers of Conservative media helped elect the 45th president, and proceeded to believe his lies, as well. The rallies on December 12, 2020 may have been spectacular for the idiocy found within them, but they were also spectacular for the sheer number of people who believed all the lies they were told. Incited by more lies, such people went to Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021 to take part in an insurrection
Today in History: December 20
A Look Back At Today, December 20
The Louisiana Purchase was completed.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered at the Globe Theater.
The United States launched Operation Just Cause.
The United States Space Force was established.
Today in History: December 19
Today in History: December 19
In 1777, General George Washington led an army of more than 12,000 soldiers to Valley Forge.
In 1972, Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, concluding the Apollo program.
In 2011, North Korean announced the death of Kim Jong Il and proclaimed Kim Jong Un as the leader.
In 2022, the House Jan. 6 Committee urged the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against the previous president
Today in History: December 18
Today in History: December 18
In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, was proclaimed in effect.
In 1892, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia; although now considered a classic, it received a generally negative reception from critics.
In 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, the first nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States, went on line. (It was taken out of service in 1982.)
In 2011, the last convoy of heavily armored U.S. troops left Iraq, crossing into Kuwait in darkness in the final moments of a nearly nine-year war.
Today in History: December 17
Today in History: December 17
In 1903 The Wright brothers’ flight redefined the possibilities of travel and opened the skies to human exploration.
In 1933 The first NFL championship laid the foundation for professional football’s evolution into a national pastime.
In 1989 “The Simpsons” redefined animated television, blending humor with social commentary to leave an indelible mark on entertainment.
In 1992 NAFTA reshaped North American trade, fostering economic ties while sparking debates on globalization.
In 2014 The U.S.-Cuba rapprochement signaled a pivotal moment in the post-Cold War world, rekindling hopes for reconciliation.
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