© Sputnik/Stringer
Aftermath of the storming of Capitol building in Washington, DC.
How could something like this happen in Washington? It was assumed that, despite all its social and political problems that have worsened in recent years, America was different and far more robust than we are now seeing.
A habit of being special
The rule of thumb was, 'there is America and there are others'. With the others, shortcomings are natural and to be expected, even if many of them are well-established democracies.
But America is a different story, because by default, the US is a role model that was supposed to remain the democratic icon forever.
Exceptionalism is foundational for America's political culture. This type of self-identification was the cornerstone on which the nation and society were built a couple of hundred years ago. That's how Americans are raised. And you will run into this phenomenon everywhere.
When asking his supporters gathered by the Capitol building to go home, President Donald Trump said, "You are special." People from the more liberal political camp have even deeper convictions about the US being exceptional and therefore under an obligation to bring light into the world, as they see it.
That's why everybody is shocked - how could this have happened? The reaction was followed by a wave of explanations as to why the clashes near and inside the Capitol building
only looked like similar events in other countries, but in reality, they were something entirely different.
Comment: The 'taking-down' of America has been happening on 'slow burn' for decades. Biden and cabal have only themselves to thank for the violence and debacle of current events, as they continue to whitewash their self-myths and actions. The 'exceptionalism' glass has cracked and it is only a matter of time before it gives in to gravity.