86 favorites     113 comments    838 visits

See also...

◉✴ Digital Dreams ✴ ◉✴ Digital Dreams ✴


A l'Atelier A l'Atelier


Tolerance Tolerance


IPERNITY - Masterpiece IPERNITY - Masterpiece


Give PEACE a Chance! Give PEACE a Chance!


Editing images Editing images


Artistically Yours Artistically Yours


Artistes sans frontieres Artistes sans frontieres


See more...

Keywords

United States
Scabble
Pawns
We the People
Coup
Government
Constitution
Democracy
Chess
Freedom
Rights
Political
No Coup
Symbolism


Authorizations, license

Visible by: Everyone
All rights reserved

838 visits


1-1_3-1-1-3

1-1_3-1-1-3
Larchmont, NY

Note: I selected the title 1-1_3-1-1-3 since often during times of repression people have to use symbols and numbers to protect their lives and to express the magnitude and gravity and global ramifications of a coup if it succeeded in the United States. In my photo, I used an image of the constitution with the preamble “We the People” since it is the fundamental basis of the American democracy and all free countries and Scrabble® letters to form my message and provide the code numbers – “No Coup” and two pawns, one black and one white to represent people of all races and genders. The pawns are fallen since a coup would be the death knell of the United States, the people, our inalienable rights including that to even exist, our dreams and ultimate control over our personal destiny.

Sadly, today's events in the United States has compelled me to move this photo to the front of my photo stream. This is the first time Washington, D.C. has seen political violence since 1876, the first time since 1814 during the War of 1812, the Capitol was stormed, and the first time people have died in this violence -- one brave Capitol police officer among the five who died. Regardless of what happens now, one cannot say we had a peaceful transition of power when President-elect Biden is certified the winner tonight or early tomorrow and sworn in on 20 January 2021. Those who engaged in this political violence and stormed the Capitol are terrorists, insurrectionists, and traitors. It was a violent coup attempt to overturn the will of the people expressed in free and fair elections. There's no other way to put it. I condemn these despicable acts in the strongest terms. Long live the Constitution and democracy! They will prevail while those involved including President Trump will be forever viewed with shame as history has no reason to be kind to them... ever!

Günter Klaus, L. L. Wall, micritter, Helena Ferreira and 82 other people have particularly liked this photo


113 comments - The latest ones
 Don Sutherland
Don Sutherland club
Very creative, but I don't consider a constitutional process set forth under Article I, Sections 2 and 3 and Article II, Section 4, a coup. Also, as per that process, even if the House of Representatives votes to impeach, that is the equivalent of an indictment. The Senate would hold a trial and removal would depend on a 2/3 vote.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
From a technical standpoint you're correct. However when history is used considering the deep state operatives said Trump would not be elected, then attempted to prevent him from taking office with statements urging "Electors" to defy the election results, and comments about an "insurance policy" to remove him from office with false Russia collusion claims, the fact President Obama recommended that Ukraine investigate Paul Manafort, Hillary Clinton's campaign had real collusion with the Russians to create the Steele dossier, Senators Durbin Leahy and Menendez threatened to cut off Ukrainian aid if they didn't help Mueller, VP Biden gave Ukraine 6 hours to fire their prosecutor investigating his son or lose billions in aid, John Kerry went rogue and held a secret meeting with Iranian officials to undermine official U.S. policy, etc. -- there is a lot more than the technical standpoint to be viewed. This is plain and simple a second coup attempt being driven by the deep state, those who want their power back and congressional pawns.

If this succeeds, then perhaps every political party will use "impeachment" proceedings to damage and/or remove every president they don't like or don't agree with politically.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
Interesting photo and interpretation. Agree especially with your last statement.
4 years ago.
 Malik Raoulda
Malik Raoulda club
Toujours tres evocateurs vos sujets.. Cette fois c'est la politique qui prend place ,face a une democratie un peu pietinee... Un president qui nie les faits,et les democrates qui veulent le destituer ( constitution oblige ) . Le resultat incombe aux deux chambres, avec un avantage aux deputes du senat majoritaires .
4 years ago.
William Sutherland club has replied to Malik Raoulda club
It's not a good situation when each side has there share of "pietinees" that refuse to accept facts if they paint a negative picture of their own kind and policies but this is today's USA. Still childish behavior is not an impeachable offense even if it does invite gridlock. It also isn't good that sometime between 2018 and recently, the intelligence community "deep state" changed their definition of a "whistleblower" from someone who has direct knowledge to someone that can have second or third hand knowledge to entice their operative to come forward with claims about a call he really knew nothing about. For those who support impeachment, perhaps talk about Hurricane Dorian, his Alabama mistake and the strong arm tactics directed at the NOAA might be something legitimate to look into.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
Malik Raoulda club has replied to William Sutherland club
Je suis d'accord avec vous et c'est dommage d'en arriver la,
surtout pour un grand pays démocratique comme le votre.
Bon Mardi.
4 years ago.
 by the way
by the way
Schöne Arbeit!
4 years ago.
 Reyk
Reyk club
Politik war und ist ein schmutziges Geschäft, aufgebaut auf Kompromissen, Lügen und Intrigen.Interessengruppen und nicht zuletzt die Wirtschaftliche Politik bestimmen die Lage in einer Nation. In ihrem Fall geht es um eine Einzelperson, die auch nur persönliche Interessen verfolgt
4 years ago.
William Sutherland club has replied to Reyk club
Still, there used to be some integrity in politics where people could put aside differences to compromise for the greater good of country and community. Perhaps abolishing political parties and allowing people to serve as individuals representing their constituents might be a solution since then they would have less reason to embrace zero-sum politics and ideologies over constituent needs and concerns such that compromise and working together would be back in style. No wonder George Washington refused to join a political party even if some try to assign him one based on his personal beliefs!
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
 Jaap van 't Veen
Jaap van 't Veen club
Very well done and an interesting article William.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Ron, Malik, by the way, Reyk, and Jaap!
4 years ago.
 J.Garcia
J.Garcia club
I have read with interest all the comments.
I have a very clear opinion about Trump and I admit that it's a bit exaggerated.
I don't know the American Constitution to be able to have a real sense of the process that is currently taking place in the United States.
I hope the right solution is found

A very topical subject and very interesting work, William!
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
 Annemarie
Annemarie club
yes, great work!
4 years ago.
 tiabunna
tiabunna club
Well composed and taken, with an interesting article, William.
4 years ago.
 dolores666
dolores666 club
We live in interesting times indeed. Worse luck...
4 years ago.
 Nicole Merdrignac
Nicole Merdrignac club
Superbes composition et message. Nicole.
4 years ago.
 ╰☆☆June☆☆╮
╰☆☆June☆☆╮ club
彡 Good work. Have a lovely new week 彡
4 years ago.
 Ulrich John
Ulrich John club
Super !
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you J. Garcia, Jette, Annemarie, Tiabunna, Ruth, Dolores, Nicole, June, and Ulrich!
4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
Thanks for the visit, William.
4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
Have a wonderful day.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Ron!
4 years ago.
 Christiane ♥.•*¨`*•✿
Christiane ♥.•*¨`*•✿
I completely agree with Reik,
and like J. Garcia I don't know enough about the American constitution to add something about that here.
As usual your picture is very well thought and done, William ! *****
4 years ago.
 Valeriane ♫ ♫ ♫¨*
Valeriane ♫ ♫ ♫¨* club
je pense comme toi Will ! et ta composition est excellente*******************
belle semaine !
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Christiane and Valeriane!
4 years ago.
 Rainer Blankermann
Rainer Blankermann club
A creative shot and an interesting text!
4 years ago.
 Lucette
Lucette
Superbe .
4 years ago.
 Trudy Tuinstra
Trudy Tuinstra club
very nice and well explained
4 years ago.
 Jocelyne Villoing
Jocelyne Villoing club
Tout à fait excellent !*************
4 years ago.
 Jeff Farley
Jeff Farley
Superb work William.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Rainer, Ron, Lucette, Trudy, Jocelyne, and Jeff!
4 years ago.
 Sylvie Coeffic
Sylvie Coeffic
Très belle réalisation ! :-)
4 years ago.
 Soeradjoen (limited time)
Soeradjoen (limited… club
Great work.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Lee & Luv, Sylvie, Ron, and Soeradjoen!
4 years ago.
 Danielle
Danielle
Admirable comme toujours !
4 years ago.
 Janet Brien
Janet Brien club
Outstanding. Love your design, love the elements, love the message.

There is a reason I detest politics. Trump is such a fine example, but of course there are countless. If it were possible to teleport him to the center of the sun, this would make me ever so happy. 'Nuff said.
4 years ago.
William Sutherland club has replied to Janet Brien club
I also detest politics and think they would be better if there were no political parties since then individuals would have greater incentive to serve the needs of their constituents.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Mariano, Danielle, and Janet!
4 years ago.
 neira-Dan
neira-Dan club
Excellente composition !!
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you neira-Dan!
4 years ago.
 Bergfex
Bergfex club
Ein gutes Bild und vor llem ein sehr nachdenkenswerter Artikel von Dir dazu.
4 years ago.
 Roger (Grisly)
Roger (Grisly) club
Thoughtful image and words William
The UK is in a similar position, i.e the electorate are being ignored
4 years ago.
William Sutherland club has replied to Roger (Grisly) club
Another example why it might not be a bad idea for political parties to be dissolved so people would have to run on their ideas and be accountable to their constituents instead of special interests and party bosses.
4 years ago.
Roger (Grisly) club has replied to William Sutherland club
Totally agree William.
4 years ago.
 polytropos
polytropos club
Interesting and thoughtful article !
4 years ago.
 Ecobird
Ecobird club
Well created image and thought provoking notes William. Well done. Have a good weekend
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Ron, Bernhard, Roger, Polytropos, and Ecobird.
4 years ago.
 Marije Aguillo
Marije Aguillo club
Me parece muy creativa la foto pero disiento de tu interpretación política. De todos modos, no considero que el fin de este foro sea la discusión política y no voy a rebatirla.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Ron and Marije.
4 years ago.
 sea-herdorf
sea-herdorf club
Von hier aus betrachtet scheint die monentane Politik einer Zäsur gleich. Sie ist kein Vorbild mehr für demokratische Staaten. Oder?
Danke für Deinen Ruf!!

Freundliche Grüße und ein gutes Wochenende
Erich
4 years ago.
 ©UdoSm
©UdoSm club
Hello William,
I am glad that we have had such a beautiful and interesting communication about our pictures for a very long time.
Thank you for that and to another good time......
Best Greetings, Udo
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Erich, on the contrary every democratic leader is accountable -- but accountable to the people not political opponents. If as so many say, Trump is terrible then without a doubt, 2020 will provide the definitive proof.

UdoSm,

Unlike some on the left (not saying or implying you in any way), I accept diversity of thought, religion, views, and being without it affecting how I interact nor engaging in name calling or worse. I reject the notion because one doesn't share my views, thoughts, religion and being are "Deplorables" , belong in "death camps" or "concentration camps."

To me everyone has a right to be who they are without facing discrimination or having hate directed at them.

Thank you Erich and Udo.
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
sea-herdorf club has replied to William Sutherland club
William,

wenn das demokratische System ausgehebelt wird, seine Instrumente versagen, dann werden Populisten alles daran setzen, an der Macht zu bleiben. Trump wird machen können was er will, er wird bestimmt 2020 wiedergewählt, William. Solange die Wirtschaft läuft hören die Menschen auf ihren vermeintlichen Führer.

Ich wünsche mir Du hast recht und die Demokatie funktioniert.
Dank auch an Dich, William.

Erich
4 years ago.
 Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Treasa Ui Cionaodha
A very creative idea for this image. Well done William Regards Tess.
4 years ago.
 Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Treasa Ui Cionaodha
Back to say Congratulations in Explore. Well deserved for this image.
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
I have full confidence in democracy if it is allowed to work especially because of term limits for the presidency. Andrew Jackson who served from 1829-37 was a populist who faced censure because the establishment resisted his vision of change. Yet the country survived -- actually was debt free its only time in history under his presidency and when his two terms were up, he did not cling to power. I doubt Trump would cling to power but it would be helpful if everyone on both sides of the isle toned it down, ceased criticizing the electoral system developed by the founding fathers, swore to accept the 2020 election results as every other past leader had done and ceased calls for revenge prosecutions for losing candidates. And put an end to zero-sum politics since "compromise" shouldn't be a curse word.

Thank you Erich and Tess!
4 years ago. Edited 4 years ago.
polytropos club has replied to William Sutherland club
Yes, well said.
4 years ago.
 Josiane Dirickx
Josiane Dirickx club
Une image forte en symboles !
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Josiane!
4 years ago.
 aNNa schramm
aNNa schramm club
What a great, philosophical and profound interpretation.
Congratulations for this wonderful idea ...
I want to give three stars ***
warm greetings aNNa*
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Anna!
4 years ago.
 Erika Akire
Erika Akire club
...very expressive...
4 years ago.
 Nora Caracci
Nora Caracci club
very effective conceptual compo !
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Erika and Nora!
4 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Evangrek!
4 years ago.
 Xata
Xata club
LOL!
4 years ago.
 Christel Ehretsmann
Christel Ehretsmann club
Using words and numbers has always been used ( as you say) by people to protect themselves when announcing very important matters for them...
I agree with your worry which has become a world-wide worry...
nicely put into an image !
4 years ago.
 Thorsten
Thorsten
great idea!
4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
Créations artistiques / Artistic creations
www.ipernity.com/group/169687
4 years ago.
 RHH
RHH
Congratulations on Explore.
4 years ago.
 Jadviga Grase
Jadviga Grase club
Interesting image!
4 years ago.
 Sami Serola (inactive)
Sami Serola (inactiv… club
Terrible news.
3 years ago.
 Malik Raoulda
Malik Raoulda club
Qui aurait cru qu'une pareille chose arriverait au USA...C'est inconcevable et inimaginable,et pourtant..! Ou va le monde avec toutes ces divisions ??? Rester en sécurité.
3 years ago.
 Annemarie
Annemarie club
I hope you will overcome peacefully this horrible horrible period my friend.
3 years ago.
 Diana Australis
Diana Australis club
We were horrified to see this behaviour today! Hope Trump takes himself off and stops inflaming passions. Hoping democracy and decency quickly prevails.
3 years ago.
 Marie-claire Gallet
Marie-claire Gallet
Excellent work, William ! Yes our world is too chaotic and I hope democracy will be prevailing again in many countries ! Our energy should be me focusing in trying to combat this bloody virus !!
3 years ago.
 vero
vero club
je souhaite de tout mon coeur William,, que ce bouleversement , période difficile,en vue de ces nouvelles terribles, soit surmonter rapidement, William, avec toute mon affection
3 years ago.
 * ઇઉ *
* ઇઉ * club
People in power like President D. Trump are not only massively damaging their office...
I wish America peace and unity.
Please stay safe and well, William!
3 years ago.
 Nicole Merdrignac
Nicole Merdrignac club
Une très belle composition pour des nouvelles tristes. Bonne journée. Nicole.
3 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Thank you Sami, Malik, Annemarie, Diana, Marie-claire, Vero, * ઇઉ *, and Nicole. Fortunately this time the coup didn't succeed thanks to lack of popular support and lack of organization. Hopefully lessons can be learned from this dark stain and politicians put aside demonizing their opponents to such a degree they are dehumanized and zero sum politics is replaced by collegiality and compromise that respects differences of opinion. If not, an even more dangerous authoritarian demogogue may emerge in the United States or another democratic nation and a coup attempt may succeed. Hope this "serious attack" on democracy, to use the words of the Organization of American States (OAS) brings people together to protect freedom as well as to uphold justice, the latter, which includes prosecuting every single traitor and insurrectionist to discourage future acts of sedition and coup attempts. Last, House of Representatives democrats are correct to declare President Trump a "threat to national security, democracy, and the constitution." 20 January can't come soon enough!
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
* ઇઉ * club has replied to William Sutherland club
!!
3 years ago.
 Andy Rodker
Andy Rodker club
Creative and to the point, Wiliam!!!
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
 tiabunna
tiabunna club
Great work, William. What a dreadful process this has been! At the bottom line, your current President was encouraging the rioters. Now he's tried to walk away by castigating them for what he essentially promoted! At least he now appears to be conceding electoral defeat!

Stay well and best wishes for the weekend.
3 years ago.
 ╰☆☆June☆☆╮
╰☆☆June☆☆╮ club
Good work. Hope you are keeping safe and well ;-)
3 years ago.
 Eric Desjours
Eric Desjours club
You emphasize people of all races and sexes through your relevant composition, as remarkable in its symbolism as those you have always gratified us with. I commend you for that, William. As much as your defense of the law as prescribed by your constitution.

Unfortunately, I have to bring a damper to the concert of voices, including yours, which unanimously condemn the invasion of the Capitol.
Today, communities, I sincerely believe, like the black community, like the community of the underprivileged - the majority victims of the pandemic - have a right granted hopefully by the constitution, be it the United State one, France one or any other, to demand justice before their peers who hold the reins of power.
I have never supported the arrogance or the whims of Mr. Trump and his supporters conditioned by the idea that democracy can submit to the will of a minority holding the economic jacks of a nation. In my opinion, this remains antithetical to the principles that built it and must remain sovereign.
But when a majority share has no other lever than the possibility of bending power through violent pressure, because of the irrepressible constraint that society exerts on it, I personally grant it the right to such actions, greatly legitimized by the insubordination that is the mother of our nations - in France, in USA and elsewhere.
In conclusion, if I condemn with you the pro-Trump insurrection that has undermined your institutions, because of its proven illegitimacy, I am not ready to condemn any attack on the so relative legitimacy of our elites who flout, as we see every week, the elementary principles of a democracy they are supposed to represent and defend.
If this right is not approved by the constitution, let the peoples allow themselves to grant it when their condition - endorsed by the delegates of their power - becomes unbearable and when they have no other survival resource than to overthrow the established order.
In this sense, this episode of the Capitol is not in itself blameworthy in my opinion. It essentially reflects the failure of governing bodies, in USA, in Europe as well as in Asia and increasingly in Africa, to represent the true aspirations of peoples throughout the world with regard to a fair consideration of their majority interest, be it climatic, economic or social.
We must not blindly condemn the expression of popular impulses: they always end up, fortunately, triumphing over the yoke imposed on them. And the rules of democracy as they are implemented cannot be of any recourse.

PS: You say, in response to Reyk, that there used to be some integrity in politics where people could put aside differences to compromise for the greater good of country and community. Perhaps abolishing political parties and allowing people to serve as individuals representing their constituents might be a solution since then they would have less reason to embrace zero-sum politics and ideologies over constituent needs and concerns such that compromise and working together would be back in style. I am afraid it is "wishful thinking". People have understood, media and social networks helping, and me included after almost 40 years of interest in politics, that delegation of power rarely gives long term positive effects (I'm not talking about ipernity! :)
In spite of Montesquieu, cantor of the republican constitution and master of modern French (and elsewhere) institutions, yellow vests movement represented a majority opinion in my country, before the political-media lobby succeeded in marginalizing it. The "public question" (res publica) remains a popular issue, which is not confiscated from the people in the long term without them feeling the desire to get their act together. This is indeed the fear of our governing bodies, of which the multinationals are the most faithful allies, who every week force themselves to subjugate its wishes. The so-called "Global Security" law that the Macron government has been trying to impose in recent weeks, and which is not isolated in our western world, is more than a witness to this repressive tendency, I do believe.
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.
 William Sutherland
William Sutherland club
Eric, I agree the under-represented, oppressed, and those discriminated against have a right to have their voices heard. Peaceful protest is a right that must be protected and honored. Coups have no legitimacy and undermine whatever cause they are supposed to represent. I also share your opinion about abolishing political parties. I've written about this before since then elected leaders would be beholden to their constituents and communities instead of others and candidates would have to prove themselves through ideas.

I also oppose so-called "security" laws aimed at rolling back individual rights since they too undermine democratic foundations.

Thank you Eric, Andy, Tiabunna, and June.

p.s. New York is quiet for now and so I'm safe. This could change in the coming days if certain elements act on threats planned to be carried out on 17 and 20 January 2021. If such acts of insurrection and violence do occur, then the future of U.S. stability could become more uncertain since it would be fair to ask if this is the beginning of some kind of "tribalist" civil war similar to the violence in the old Yugoslavia. Yes, it is possible as unrealistic as it seems! :( Right now our institutions appear strong enabling the U.S. to have recovered quicker than most countries in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt. Life appears to have returned to normal... now if only the pandemic could be contained.
3 years ago. Edited 3 years ago.

Sign-in to write a comment.