How did we "The People" let this happen?
Yes indeed, if I did believe in "spirits," I would think that the spirit of Mrs. Jaqueline Kennedy would certainly be, as the saying goes, turning over in her grave at the sight of this:
That's right, the entire East Wing of the White House is now rubble.
I have no words.
I'll just paste this archival video below of a CBS News special done some sixty odd years ago with then First Lady Mrs. Kennedy as she gave a tour of the "people's house." Oh, FYI, in this clip, as it opens, we see Mrs. Kennedy walking down a simply, yet stately decorated long hall towards the camera...that's the East Wing, or should I now say, as of today, that WAS the East Wing.
Also in this televised footage, Jackie points out an inscription installed in the formal dining room as a mantle plate by FDR. It's the words of John Adams as written by him in 1800 when he'd taken occupation as the first president to do so in this brand-new house. It's the hopes of this second president of this upstart nation, living in rough conditions in the as yet unfinished executive house on his second night. He writes these words to his wife Abigail:
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessings on THIS HOUSE and on All that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.
Go ahead Mr. Adams...you too may turn over in your grave as well.
Ah fuck it. Every Founding Father, every former president, every loyal American, dead and buried...
Roll, Baby, Roll!