This past week has marked the first year since (1) the murder of George Floyd by a uniformed police officer aired on TV turned the stomachs of tens of millions of Americans, (2) the explosive spread of a deadly airborne virus that began killing people in the tens of thousands daily and stretching the nation’s health care system beyond its limit, (3) the descent of the American presidential administration into sheer madness with claims that ingesting bleach could cure victims of the Covid-19 virus, and (4) the demonstrated inability of so many among us to handle the full consequences of the pandemic, insisting it was a hoax, and must not require keeping kids home from school.
Yes, the long weekend surrounding Memorial Day in 2020 was perhaps among the darkest times in our national history. How different than this week, only one single year later. The transformation has been little less than miraculous.
Think about it. In just this past year the officer who murdered George Floyd was found guilty of murder by a jury of his peers, an unprecedented development in a nation that more are now keenly aware that it still has much, much to do to be cleansed of the foul stench of white supremacy and racism.
The pandemic has wound up taking a million lives of Americans, it is estimated, above the official stats. But in just a year now, over 50 percent of the adult U.S. population has now been fully vaccinated against the virus’ spread and health and government experts are indicating we are within just weeks now of being able to safely reopen our entire society to all those fully vaccinated now without need for masks. We need to better appreciate how extraordinary this is, how amazing the efforts have been of everyone from the front-line health care workers to the researchers to came up with the vaccine in such a short timeframe, and the myriad heroic citizens who contributed to stemming this once-in-a-millenium scourge while never giving a serious thought to throwing society’s most vulnerable, including its elderly in nursing homes, overboard in the process.
The worst presidency in the history of the U.S. was defeated in its attempt to use the full power of the incumbency to rule for a second term, a very critical achievement again owing to the American people, the blessed rank and file, who took up the challenge to unceremoniously unroot this would-be tyrant and agent of a hostile foreign power (so potentially lethal to the global cause for democracy).
Finally, America will always have nay-sayers, but a new spirit is now awake in the land to revive the best values of the founding of this democracy that will ensure the nation prospers as a beacon of hope for all humanity into its future. The revival and advancement of the spirit that drove out tyrants to establish a free and open society for all is now before us.
Monday, June 23 — Virginia U.S. Congressman Don Beyer issued the following statement today announcing that he will seek reelection as U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District: “Today, Northern Virginia
What’s the tallest building in Arlington? And where is it located? That second question is likely the easier one to answer. The tallest building is in Rosslyn, with a host
A Minnesota legislator and her husband murdered in their home. Another legislator and his wife shot multiple times. A United States Senator wrestled to the floor and handcuffed in a
Earlier this month, two lengthy articles appeared almost simultaneously in the Financial Times and Washington Post aimed at addressing the persisting problem, how we’ve wound up with Trump. One in
Legitimate news organizations need grass roots support like never before, and that includes your Falls Church News-Press. For more than 33 years, your News-Press has kept its readers informed and enlightened. We can’t continue without the support of our readers. This means YOU! Please step up in these challenging times to support the news source you are reading right now!
Editorial: What a Difference A Year Makes
FCNP.com
This past week has marked the first year since (1) the murder of George Floyd by a uniformed police officer aired on TV turned the stomachs of tens of millions of Americans, (2) the explosive spread of a deadly airborne virus that began killing people in the tens of thousands daily and stretching the nation’s health care system beyond its limit, (3) the descent of the American presidential administration into sheer madness with claims that ingesting bleach could cure victims of the Covid-19 virus, and (4) the demonstrated inability of so many among us to handle the full consequences of the pandemic, insisting it was a hoax, and must not require keeping kids home from school.
Yes, the long weekend surrounding Memorial Day in 2020 was perhaps among the darkest times in our national history. How different than this week, only one single year later. The transformation has been little less than miraculous.
Think about it. In just this past year the officer who murdered George Floyd was found guilty of murder by a jury of his peers, an unprecedented development in a nation that more are now keenly aware that it still has much, much to do to be cleansed of the foul stench of white supremacy and racism.
The pandemic has wound up taking a million lives of Americans, it is estimated, above the official stats. But in just a year now, over 50 percent of the adult U.S. population has now been fully vaccinated against the virus’ spread and health and government experts are indicating we are within just weeks now of being able to safely reopen our entire society to all those fully vaccinated now without need for masks. We need to better appreciate how extraordinary this is, how amazing the efforts have been of everyone from the front-line health care workers to the researchers to came up with the vaccine in such a short timeframe, and the myriad heroic citizens who contributed to stemming this once-in-a-millenium scourge while never giving a serious thought to throwing society’s most vulnerable, including its elderly in nursing homes, overboard in the process.
The worst presidency in the history of the U.S. was defeated in its attempt to use the full power of the incumbency to rule for a second term, a very critical achievement again owing to the American people, the blessed rank and file, who took up the challenge to unceremoniously unroot this would-be tyrant and agent of a hostile foreign power (so potentially lethal to the global cause for democracy).
Finally, America will always have nay-sayers, but a new spirit is now awake in the land to revive the best values of the founding of this democracy that will ensure the nation prospers as a beacon of hope for all humanity into its future.
The revival and advancement of the spirit that drove out tyrants to establish a free and open society for all is now before us.
Recent News
Rep. Beyer Formally Announces Re-Election Plans for Next Year
Monday, June 23 — Virginia U.S. Congressman Don Beyer issued the following statement today announcing that he will seek reelection
Our Man In Arlington 6-19-2025
What’s the tallest building in Arlington? And where is it located? That second question is likely the easier one to
A Penny for Your Thoughts 6-19-2025
A Minnesota legislator and her husband murdered in their home. Another legislator and his wife shot multiple times. A United
Cult Century: 1970s Roots Of Trumpism, Part 6 of 25
Earlier this month, two lengthy articles appeared almost simultaneously in the Financial Times and Washington Post aimed at addressing the
We Are Here To Help
If this Monday’s Falls Church City Council meeting is any indicator, then the best assessment of the current state of
Supporting Reproductive Healthcare in Our Community
By ARCH Fund Board As we approach the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Stories that may interest you
Rep. Beyer Formally Announces Re-Election Plans for Next Year
Monday, June 23 — Virginia U.S. Congressman Don Beyer issued the following statement today announcing that he will seek reelection as U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District: “Today, Northern Virginia
Our Man In Arlington 6-19-2025
What’s the tallest building in Arlington? And where is it located? That second question is likely the easier one to answer. The tallest building is in Rosslyn, with a host
A Penny for Your Thoughts 6-19-2025
A Minnesota legislator and her husband murdered in their home. Another legislator and his wife shot multiple times. A United States Senator wrestled to the floor and handcuffed in a
Cult Century: 1970s Roots Of Trumpism, Part 6 of 25
Earlier this month, two lengthy articles appeared almost simultaneously in the Financial Times and Washington Post aimed at addressing the persisting problem, how we’ve wound up with Trump. One in