Who Says Politicians are Spineless?

    On January 6, 2021, a mob of domestic terrorists attacked the Capitol building and the representatives inside. I am not here to discuss the reasons for this insurrection nor the identities of the terrorists or their affiliations. I am here to discuss two men who were willing to do whatever necessary to protect themselves and their fellow representatives: Jason Crow and Ruben Gallego. 

    Representatives of Arizona and Colorado respectively, Jason Crow and Ruben Gallego were present in the Capitol with the other representatives. When the attack began, many if not all of the representatives began to panic. Crow and Gallego were no exception, but they were able to keep their cool and help against the siege. 

Crow, an ex-army ranger, is the subject of a photo taken in the Capitol on the day of the riot. In it, he is shown consoling representative Susan Wild who was panicking. He understood that trauma affects everyone differently and that he had the benefit of years of military training and conditioning to keep his psyche intact during the conflict. Crow also was prepared to fight back against the rioters. After helping the guards barricade the doors, he searched for a weapon but found nothing better than his own pen. 

Gallego, an ex-marine, reflected back to more specific training from the gas chamber, a large room in which military soldiers train against the use of chemical warfare weaponry. So, when the representatives were ordered to put on the gas masks hidden beneath their seats, Gallego did so as any soldier would. But, his peers needed help. He taught them the proper technique of taking purposeful and light breaths to maintain necessary oxygen levels. Gallego was also prepared to fight against the terrorists. 

On January 6, 2021, two politicians showed bravery and strength rarely seen in the political world. Their courage and training readied them for the situation and allowed them to help their unprepared peers. If it were not for Crow and Gallego, the situation within the Capitol would have been much worse.

                    -   Welcho