The last 48 hours has uncovered both the strength of the Georgian populace and the arrogance of the terrorists’ sedition. In a swirl of highs and lows we stand in today’s aftermath with a shattered republic underfoot. Yes, there is the call of the wild in the air but it is a tainted one: more than ever we need to chase down every trail of hope we can. This messy business will be pondered by those far more engrossed in politics than me, over and over for days and weeks and many years ahead, as it should be for acts of this magnitude: our temple to Democracy was desecrated by a mob of craven and ignorant anti-Americans. But I clearly believe these people do not represent most citizens. They do not listen to facts of Science or Math, they don’t attend a church that preaches compassion or love, and they certainly don’t understand how government works. Instead they raise the vile confederate flag, adore themselves with racist tattoos, and find their facts from unvetted news sources. Their views are alien to our scholars’ interpretations of our constitution and the morality of our best. For sanity’s sake, I’ll trust our elected officials and law enforcement to bring justice to these criminals and their President, and now, loudly applaud the brave and brilliant efforts of Georgian voters, who have heralded in much needed change to our Senate. Moving with faith, we head into our wild woods.

Once home, we bring that wild joy in with us, with the promise of all that is good and bright. I invite you to join me and return to the belief that ours can be a safe country, for you and me, for our brown and black citizens, and for the immigrants living among us. Together let’s stand ready to be the United States of America.