Stand up for truth, justice

Brian Greenspun’s May 30 column “What the hell’s wrong with us?,” in response to the murder of nine members of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, questions why Americans have such a difficult time ensuring the basic protection under the preamble to the Constitution — to promote domestic tranquility. I would add to that, in this era of mass killing, the preamble protection to promote the general welfare.

Greenspun quotes California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cited the problem of apathy in everyday Americans because “There’s a numbness ... because there is a sameness to this. Anywhere, USA.” Like Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6?

It’s one thing for everyday Americans to succumb to numbness and sameness and something entirely different when Republican senators vote against pursuing truth and justice involving five people’s deaths in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

These same Republicans swore an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution, which means to follow the courage of their convictions and not be subservient to Donald Trump. Isn’t courage of convictions the bare minimum we should ask from our public servants?

Abraham Kuyper, former Netherlands prime minister said, “You must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.” To all Americans: Follow the courage of your convictions; rise up and do the right thing.