Commentary

COMMENTARY: Jan. 6 Select Committee Hearings? Watch It Like You’d Watch a Warriors Game

And if you still don’t think it matters, just think on Jan. 6 Committee Chair Bennie Thompson’s opening statement last Thursday. A respected representative from Mississippi, Thompson put it on the line at the start: “I am from a part of the country where people justified the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. I’m reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try and justify the actions of the insurrectionists on January 6, 2021.”

Published

4 years ago

June 17, 2022

Oakland Post

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He does a talk show on www.amok.com

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. See him on www.amok.com

By Emil Guillermo

The NBA Finals/Game 5 was on primetime TV on Monday, and I have to confess, I was relieved it didn’t conflict with the Jan. 6 hearings on the “Big Lie.”

Because I would have had to make a choice. Democracy or basketball.

But the gods arranged for the story of our imperiled democracy to be on in the morning. And that gave primetime to the Dubs, who dutifully put the Celtics away. Can they win Game 6 in Boston on Thursday, or will a Game 7 be forced on Sunday?

I think they can.

Now what about our democracy? Why don’t we care about the Jan. 6 hearings enough to make it must-see TV?

The hearings require your absolute attention, as they lay out how the twice-impeached former president, No. 45, created the “Big Lie” about the 2020 election being rigged or stolen.

That would be quite enough, but small lies snowball into mega-lies and create the frenzy that led to the insurrection by MAGA followers to riot on the Capitol on Jan. 6. 2021.

This is nothing less than hearings on the future of our democracy. Everyone should be watching.

Twenty million people tuned in to the Thursday prime-time preview last week, which is about five times the number that tuned into Trump’s “Apprentice” in prime time.

But there are 300 million in this country impacted by the “Big Lie.”

Everyone needs to see the former attorney general Bill Barr call Trump’s false claim that the election was stolen, “Bull—-.”

Let that be emblazoned in our collective heads.

Here’s the man who was Trump’s chief enabler during his administration. And he is saying in no uncertain terms there was no election fraud.

And then there’s Trump’s own daughter, Ivanka, who said she believes in Barr.

This is Trump’s inner circle telling the truth under oath. They know how the rule of law works. But Trump still held on to the idea that the election was rigged and stolen. From day one, Trump continued to push the lie and even fund-raise a quarter of a billion dollars from the public.

And as Barr’s testimony continues to remind us, it was all based on Trump’s embrace of “bull—-.”

If you don’t care because the system is rigged against people of color, I have news for you. You not caring assures that the system will be as indifferent to us as it ever has been.

I urge you to watch in real time if you can. Or to watch on C-SPAN later.

“I am from a part of the country where people justified the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching. I’m reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try and justify the actions of the insurrectionists on January 6, 2021.”

Thompson and his colleagues are under oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

The sad thing the hearings reveal is that sometimes the enemy may include an outgoing president and his cronies (Rudy Giuliani, the former NYC mayor chief among them), hellbent on ignoring the will of the people.

If you still are lukewarm, maybe you’re one of those rare birds, a BIPOC diehard Republican. Clarence Thomas is one. Michelle Steel, an Asian American member of Congress representing Orange County is another. Many continue to run for office and somehow are fine with the “Big Lie.” They must be rooted out.

Just remember how Thompson hears anyone who defends Trump. They have the same tone as those who would defend and justify racism, slavery, and the Klan.

I tell my Asian American readers to think of our mothers and fathers and their early experiences when they arrived in America. They didn’t come from China, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, India, etc., because of the Big Lie.

They came to escape the lies in their ancestral homes and came to America because the truth and the rule of law means something.

The hearings show us how low a president was willing to go to diminish that something into nothing in our democracy.

And the real fear is that without a savvy, informed electorate, it could all easily happen again.

That’s why we must pay attention.

Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. See him on www.amok.com

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Rising Optimism Among Small And Middle Market Business Leaders Suggests Growth for California

“Business leaders across the Pacific region continue to demonstrate a unique blend of resilience and forward-thinking, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Brennon Crist, Managing Director and Head of the Pacific Segment, Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Their commitment to innovation and growth is evident in the way they adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities. It’s this spirit that keeps our region at the forefront of business leadership and progress. We look forward to helping our clients navigate all that’s ahead in 2026.”

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Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold.

Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead.

Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in California. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity this year:

Inflation remains the top concern for small business owners. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many anticipated a favorable business environment. By June 2025, however, that feeling shifted amid concerns about political dynamics, tariffs, evolving regulations and global economic headwinds.
Going into 2026, 37% of respondents cited inflation as their top concern. Rising taxes came in second at 27% and the impact of tariffs was third at 22%. Other concerns included managing cash flow, hiring and labor costs.

For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Almost half (49%) of all midsize business leaders surveyed cited “economic uncertainty” as their top concern – even with an improved outlook from a few months ago. Revenue and sales growth was second at 33%, while tariffs and labor both were third at 31%.
And tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Sixty-one percent of midsize business leaders said tariffs have had a negative impact on the cost of doing business.
Despite challenges, leaders are bullish on their own enterprises. Though the overall outlook is mixed, 74% of small business owners and 71% of middle market companies are optimistic about their company’s prospects for 2026.
Adaption is the theme. For small business owners surveyed across the U.S., responding to continuing pressures is important in 2026. Building cash reserves (47%), renegotiating supplier terms (36%) and ramping up investments in marketing and technology are among the top priorities.
Big plans are on the horizon. A majority midsized company leaders expect revenue growth this year, and nearly three out of five of (58%) plan to introduce new products or services in the coming year, while 53% look to expand into new domestic and/or international markets. Forty-nine percentsay they’re pursuing strategic partnerships or investments.

The bottom line

Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in California could be beneficial for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year.