Today is Friday, January 6, 2023. Today marks the second anniversary of that infamous day in our nation’s history, the revolt inside the Capitol fomented by a rogue ex-president who still hasn’t met accountability for his vile action, where the current President held a public ceremony honoring those who defended democracy on that ignominious day. Calling the events on that day “one of the darkest periods of our nation’s history,” President Joe Biden honored the law enforcement and election officials who held firm against the most serious effort to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in American history. At a commemoration ceremony at the East Room of the White House, Biden paid tribute to those indefatigable workers who beat back a deadly attack on our most fundamental principles.

This event is covered in a CNN online article by Phil Mattingly, Betsy Klein, and Maegan Vazquez entitled “Biden honors January 6 democracy defenders: ‘History will remember your names.'”

At Friday’s White House ceremony acknowledging the solemn anniversary, Biden said “our democracy was attacked” and that the insurrection was all “fueled by lies about the 2020 election.”

The President awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to more than a dozen individuals – including law enforcement officers who were injured defending the Capitol, a Capitol Police officer who died the day after rioters stormed the building, officers who died by suicide after defending the Capitol, as well as elected officials and election workers who rejected efforts by former president Dumpf to overturn the results of the 2020 race. Those in the room being honored, Biden said, “embody the best before, during and after January the 6, 2021.”

Biden also acknowledged that for many the ceremony was “bittersweet,” noting that that “more than 140 law enforcement officials suffered physical injuries and untold numbers are suffering from psychological toll of that day as well.”

To those who received the nation’s highest honor, the President said, “History will remember your names. They’ll remember your courage. They’ll remember your bravery. They’ll remember your extraordinary commitment to your fellow Americans.”

One of those recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal was the mother of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, Gladys Sicknick, who accepted the award on behalf of her deceased son. Another recipient of this award was U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell who has appeared frequently on MSNBC to talk about his harrowing experiences during that horrific day. Besides Gonell, U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Harry Dunn also received the medal from President Biden.

In another breaking story, all eyes will be on the House as the chamber reconvenes for yet another try to vote for Kevin McCarthy as House speaker at 10 p.m. Today the weasel, as I call him, gained more support in the 13th round of voting – flipping 15 votes – earlier today, but again failed to win the speakership. His team believes McCarthy has the votes to win tonight. Too bad!

As a result of this standoff, the House cannot start the new Congress or swear in new members until a speaker is elected. This is now the longest speaker contest in 164 years. Sheesh!

Should this bastard be successful in winning enough votes for speaker of the House, he will have given away the House so to speak to the far-right fringe known as the Freedom Caucus thus weakening his overall influence on his divisive base. Good luck with that, Kevin, if you finally get your most fervent wish to be Speaker of the House.

I’m ready to vomit after hearing McCarthy’s name being placed into nomination by some Republican toady. I don’t even know his name, except that he tried to make some jokes that fell flat as a brick. Peter Aguilar of California is now making the nominating speech for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He is talking more about being united behind Jeffries. After making a pointed remark about some people who were behind the insurrection being present in the House, he was unsurprisingly met with jeers from the chamber. I called out, “Fuck you” to the Republicans who were jeering Aguilar for telling the truth.

So let’s see what will happen tonight: Will there be a new speaker at the end of this session? Does anyone care?

It’s too suspenseful. I’m going to sign off so I can hear what the results are. Steve Kornacki seems to think that McCarthy will have the votes. Even the Grinch, Matt Gaetz, believes McCarthy will sew up the votes, and that’s a big thing coming from this former foe of the Republican leader.

Have a good weekend.

Stay safe and be well.