To the editor:

Many years ago in a classroom not so far, far away, having finished the day’s lesson, I was sitting at my desk and recording scores in my grade book. I was disturbed in my efforts by the rustling of a notebook from a nearby student. I looked up to see him holding the offending notebook with a scrawled message that read, “I have throw-up in my mouth.” I immediately told him he was free to go to the restroom. He returned in short order and proceeded to get back to work. A few minutes later a familiar, urgent fluttering interrupted my scribing, and it was the same distressed student waving his emergency notice. Again I urged him just to go.

I’ve told this story many times, and people laugh. The conclusion drawn is that I was some kind of tyrannical dictator. I’ve always thought I was a benevolent despot. The point of this allegorical trip down memory lane is that I think we have a lot of Republicans, especially in the U.S. House and Senate, who are sitting in office with “throw-up in their mouths.” Most of them, when confronted with all of the administration’s ridiculous actions, statements/lies, unconstitutional overreach, etc., keep their mouths shut as if they, yes, “have throw-up in their mouths!”

Why? The answer is simple. They’re afraid of being primaried, of being called Rinos or something more alliteratively personalized, or being tracked down by one of the fiercely loyal Jan. 6 insurrec..er…patri…er…pardonees. Mitch McConnell tried to resuscitate a legacy for himself with a couple of “no” votes recently. Too little; too late. He missed that chance in the impeachment of 45 following Jan. 6. Nope. No amount of no-vote mouthwash will ever eliminate the putrid, nauseating aftertaste of having drunk the “Kool Aid.”

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan

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