United States of America eSeries: 'Whether or not democracy will long endure'

'Whether or not democracy will long endure'

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June 2, 2021

Stephen Collinson and Caitlin Hu

'Whether or not democracy will long endure'

Joe Biden had a stark message in his Memorial Day address -- a speech that presidents normally use largely to honor the sacrifice of America's war dead.

"Democracy itself is in peril, here at home and around the world," Biden said, standing close by the endless ranks of graves at Arlington National Cemetery. "What we do now — what we do now — how we honor the memory of the fallen, will determine whether or not democracy will long endure."

As Biden himself often says, "This is not hyperbole, folks." Events in recent days have underscored the once-unthinkable notion that democracy is in trouble in America: Republican senators blocked an independent, bipartisan investigation into a violent insurrection incited by a former President. In Texas over the weekend, Democrats walked out of the state House of Representatives as Republicans tried to pass a bill that would make voting harder, especially for Black Americans. State Republicans plan to ram the measure through anyway. Also over the weekend, ex-President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn — a former intelligence chief and retired lieutenant general -- seemed to muse that what America really needs is a military coup like the one in Myanmar.

Changing demographics and a rising generation of diverse, socially liberal and secular Americans are challenging a White, conservative, religious bloc that saw a savior in Trump. Instead of adapting their appeal to those Americans, conservatives trying to keep political power out of their hands.

Democrats are trying to push bills through the US Senate that would expand early and mail-in voting, restore protections for Black voters, establish national standards for elections and make it easier to vote. But Republicans wield the power of the filibuster — which requires 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to pass major legislation —and will almost certainly be able to block the legislation.

As Biden said on Sunday: What is ahead is "the struggle for the soul of America itself."

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Colombia is sending in the military to face protesters.

Czech police asked prosecutors to charge the Prime Minister.

And a Sicilian mafia informant who confessed to involvement in 100 murders was freed from prison.

Meanwhile in America, QAnon forums are calling for a Myanmar-style military coup.

A major meat producer was hit with another ransomware attack.

And an FBI agent was charged with attempted murder of a fellow subway passenger.

Iceland's Fagradalsfjall bursts with lava in drone footage shot May 24 by Joey Helms.

Letting loose

Dwight Howard of the Philadelphia 76ers looks down at a fan who ran onto the court and was tackled by security on Monday, May 31, 2021, in Washington.

Maybe people are just stir crazy.

America's big reopening, as crowds flock to stadiums and airports operate at near capacity for domestic flights, is sparking a rash of bad behavior.

Five NBA teams have banned fans for abusing players or spectators. Basketball doesn't have the history of hooliganism of European football, so this is unusual. In Philadelphia, a city where NFL fans once booed Santa Claus, a fan gave Wizards star Russell Westbrook a popcorn shower as he limped off hurt. The New York Knicks banned a fan after he spit on Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Three fans were also banned in Utah after bad behavior. And at last week's PGA Golf championship, a rowdy crowd mobbed the players as they tried to reach the final green.

There have also been shouting matches and tussles in midair. In one, a flight attendant lost two teeth after she was assaulted by a passenger. The situation is getting so bad that Southwest Airlines and American Airlines have decided not to resume selling booze on their flights as things get back to normal after the pandemic. Those holiday trips will be dry this summer.

Phil Mickelson is assisted by security as fans follow him up the 18th fairway during the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship in South Carolina on May 23.

So what is going on? Maybe people have been cooped up so long that the euphoria of sudden freedom is causing some to go over the top. Social etiquette might have frayed through lockdowns. Perhaps isolated incidents are just getting more attention as the country reopens — but as America heads to the beach and the bars this summer, tempers will likely fray some more.

It's not exactly what pundits had in mind when they predicted a "Roaring '20s" decade — similar to the one that followed World War I and the influenza pandemic.

'This result is exactly what separates America from the rest of the world'

The Supreme Court said Tuesday that it won't review a lower court opinion that awarded $2 billion to a group of women who sued Johnson & Johnson after developing ovarian cancer, which they say stemmed from exposure to asbestos in the company's talc powder. The lower court had found "significant reprehensibility in (J&J's) conduct," and said J&J exposed consumers to asbestos over several decades "done with reckless disregard of the health and safety of others."

"This was a victory not just for the amazing women and their families who we were privileged to represent, but a victory for justice," the plaintiffs' lawyer Mark Lanier told CNN on Tuesday. "This result is exactly what separates America from the rest of the world. This decision sends a clear message to the rich and powerful: You will be held to account when you cause grievous harm under our system of equal justice under law."

Thanks for reading.

On Wednesday, Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager discusses the Artificial Intelligence Act with European lawmakers. Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon visits Islamabad. Ireland relaxes Covid-19 restrictions.