Hartford Courant -- January 6, 2022

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by  Hartford Courant

Mask mandate returns Grammys postponed Deadly Philadelphia fire Seasonable day
Amid surge, West Hartford reinstates its Jan. 31 awards show is postponed because Thirteen people, including seven children, Snow developing at night, with
indoor mask mandate. NEWS, PAGE 2 of COVID-19 concerns. NEWS, PAGE 4 die in blaze at duplex. NEWS, PAGE 5 a high of 38. SPORTS, PAGE 6
VOLUME CLXXXVI CCOOUURRAANNTT..CCOOMM THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
State’s hospitals under stress
Many workers out sick as patient counts reach care workers that are getting sick.” been absent on a given day recently, Flaks said Wednesday that more
The state’s seven-day positivity Beckman said. Health care work- than 600 workers out of 30,000
levels not seen since early days of the pandemic
rate now stands at 22%, the highest ers infected with COVID-19 are total were currently out due to
of any time in the past 18 months. generally not sick for long and do COVID-19.
By Eliza Fawcett due to COVID-19, straining hospi- Meanwhile, nearly 1,700 people not become severely ill, but their Audrey Silver, the nurse
Hartford Courant tal systems. are hospitalized — the largest absences still disrupts the system, manager of the Hartford Hospi-
“Today, the infectious nature of number since the spring of 2020 she noted. In some cases, nurse tal Emergency Department said
As the highly transmissible this omicron variant has created when the pandemic first took hold. managers and other administra- Wednesday that the hospital has
omicron variant sweeps through havoc in the workforce,” Yale New At Yale New Haven Health, tors have stepped up to fill vacan- seen “extraordinary” volumes of
Connecticut, patient volumes are Haven Health chief nursing officer roughly 400 to 600 health cies. patients recently, including the
high and hundreds of health care Beth Beckman said Wednesday. care workers out of the Hartford HealthCare is similarly
workers across the state are out “We can’t keep ahead of the health 30,000-employee system have burdened. President and CEO Jeff Turn to Hospitals, Page 2
KLEEN ENERGY
EXPLOSION
Court
denies
victims’
ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL
ONE YEAR LATER
claims

A DARK DAY
Ruling likely ends
THAT STILL
decade of litigation
over deadly blast
LINGERS
By Edmund H. Mahony
Hartford Courant
The state Supreme Court
may have closed a decade of
litigation over responsibility
for the Kleen Energy gas plant
explosion with a decision
that absolves the plant owner
and its administrative agent
of negligence and liability for
the construction accident that
killed six and injured 27 more.
It is the second loss at the
state’s high court for the work-
ers and families of workers
seeking compensation for
serious injury and death when
an explosion heard for 30
miles destroyed the gas-pow-
ered, electric generation plant
on the Connecticut River in
Middletown in February 2010,
just as construction was being
completed.
Lawyers following the case
said the court’s little-noticed
decision, released late on Dec.
30, probably forecloses what-
ever hope remains among
FOR THE ‘GALLERY GROUP’ TRAPPED Connecticut officials say members of the construction
crew for further compensa-
riot, aftermath underlines
INSIDE CHAMBER, TRAUMA REMAINS tion. A few negligence claims
nation divided by politics remain in a lower court and
could be pressed, but the like-
By Mary Clare Jalonick lihood of success is slim, they
Associated Press By Daniela Altimari said.
Hartford Courant “Although we respect the
WASHINGTON — Long F Supreme Court’s decision, on
after most other lawmakers or Republican Larry behalf of our clients, we are
had been rushed to safety, they Lazor, a candidate deeply disappointed by the
were on the hard marble floor, for the Republican result,” said Hartford attorney
ducking for cover. nomination in the James Healy, who brought the
Trapped in the gallery of 1st Congressional most recent case with attorney
the House, occupying balcony District, the brutal Joel Faxon on behalf of several
seats off-limits to the public attack by an angry victims and families. “We will
because of COVID-19, roughly mob of Donald continue reviewing the deci-
three dozen House Democrats Trump supporters sion and assessing our next
were the last ones to leave the on the U.S. Capitol was “a blow to our steps going forward. As always,
chamber on Jan. 6, bearing democracy.” our thoughts remain with the
witness as the certification of a Lazor’s view, however, is at odds with victims and families affected by
presidential election gave way his own party here and around the nation. this tragic explosion.”
to a violent insurrection. Republicans continue to grapple with Those victims sued Kleen
As danger neared, and as the the repercussions of the violence that Energy Systems, the local part-
rioters were trying to break unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021. Hundreds of nership that owns and built
down the doors, they called people were injured and five were killed. the plant, and Power Plant
their families. They scrambled “We’re on the wrong side if we think Management Services, Kleen’s
for makeshift weapons and the 2020 election wasn’t fair,’’ said Lazor, administrative agent, for strict
mentally prepared themselves a West Hartford physician. liability and negligence associ-
to fight. Many thought they Over the last year, state Republican ated with a “gas blow” — a late-
might die. leaders expressed their horror at the stage construction process
“When I looked up, I had attack and denounced Trump’s efforts during which natural gas is
this realization that we were to undermine democracy. But they have forced through thousands of
trapped,” said Rep. Jason also sought to shift the focus away from feet of piping at extraordinary
Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Above: Lawmakers shelter in the gallery last Jan. 6 the former president and any role he pressure to clear the lines of
Ranger who served in Iraq and as supporters of Donald Trump try to breach the played in fomenting the mob of aggrieved construction debris.
Afghanistan. “They had evacu- House chamber. ANDREW HARNIK/AP At top: The supporters who vandalized the building Years of post-mortems on
ated the House floor first. And U.S. Capitol is framed by barricades in Washington and violently clashed with police. the explosion agree that the
on Wednesday. Despite barricades, rioters were still gas blow was the cause of
Turn to Trauma, Page 3 able to storm the grounds. SUSAN WALSH/AP Turn to Divide, Page 3 the explosion that shattered
windows and cracked foun-
dations of houses for miles
MORE INSIDE: The 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump did so with the same conviction — that a around. There were 2,000 feet
president of their party deserved to be charged with inciting insurrection Jan. 6, 2021 — and the same hope — that his role in doing so would of piping to be cleared at the
finally persuade the GOP to repudiate him. But in the year since the deadliest attack on the U.S. Capitol in centuries, none of the 10 lawmakers
have been able to avoid the consequences of a fundamental miscalculation about the direction of their party. NEWS, PAGE 4 Turn to Blast, Page 3
Universities delay student return amid omicron surge Opinion .....................News, 10 Puzzles ...Connecticut, 7, 9
Obits ...................News, 12-14 Comics ...Connecticut, 8-9
Several Connecticut colleges and universities are delaying the return of students and moving Lottery ........................News, 2
early spring classes online as COVID-19 cases reach record highs. CONNECTICUT, PAGE 1 Classified ..................News, 11
2 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022
FROM PAGE ONE
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
West Hartford reissues indoor mask mandate
By Seamus McAvoy facilities, and businesses declining COVID-19 cases. mandate — but refrained ing back against it,’’ Lamont experts as the most effec-
Hartford Courant open,” Mayor Shari Cantor The case rate was 7.8 from implementing their said at a press conference in tive at stopping the spread
said in a statement. “We per 100,000 — classified as own local mandates, instead Stamford Monday. “I prefer of COVID-19, but generally
The town of West Hart- believe this step is neces- low-level community trans- encouraging mask-wearing that everybody wear the not intended for children.
ford is reinstating a univer- sary given the current trajec- mission by the Connecti- inside businesses. mask when you’re indoors. The order applies to both
sal indoor mask mandate, tory of infection rates and cut Department of Public “Each of our communities We’re getting N95 masks vaccinated and unvacci-
effective beginning at the number of neighboring Health. are providing KN95 masks available to anybody, no ques- nated individuals. People
noon Thursday, officials communities implementing Those numbers are a to any resident or business tions asked. I think we’re on who are unable to wear a
announced Wednesday. similar requirements.” far cry from the current who requests them,” East the right track right now.” mask for medical reasons
West Hartford joins Cantor went even further, situation facing the town, Hartford officials wrote in a While town officials did will be exempt from the
Bloomfield, Hartford and calling on Gov. Ned Lamont where the case rate was 75.7 statement. not give an end date for the mandate, as well as those
New Haven as municipal- to implement a statewide per 100,000 in the weeks Under Executive Order measure, Cantor said it was under the age of 2. Masks
ities with mask mandates indoor mask mandate. preceding Christmas, No. 13A, in effect through intended to be temporary. will not be required while
as communities move to “COVID-19 does not stop according to the most recent Feb. 15, Lamont has granted Hartford’s mask mandate eating or drinking.
combat the omicron-driven at municipal borders. Our state data. cities and towns the author- is only in effect through the “Our approach has been,
backslide in the state’s fight hospitals and health care Cantor, a Democrat, ity to implement their own end of January, subject to and continues to be, educa-
against COVID-19. Twen- delivery systems are all joins several other Demo- requirements regarding how case numbers change. tion first, enforcement
ty-four percent of tests came regional assets that serve cratic elected officials who masks or facial covering. Officials “will constantly second,” Matt Hart, West
back positive on Tuesday, multiple communities,” have started to scrutinize But he’s stopped short of evaluate the need to Hartford town manager,
breaking Monday’s record, she said. “There should be Lamont’s intransigence implementing a statewide continue the requirement,” said in a statement. “We are
while the state’s seven-day one common statewide and toward a statewide dictum mandate, repeatedly insist- Cantor said. very appreciative of the high
positivity rate has surged regional standard.” regarding masks. ing that most Connecticut West Hartford will permit level of voluntary compli-
above 20% for the first time West Hartford’s previ- On Wednesday, lead- residents were following either masks or cloth facial ance we are already seeing.”
in the pandemic. ous indoor mask mandate, ers from East Hartford, safe practices on their own. coverings. On Tuesday,
“Our priority is to keep which lasted for about two South Windsor, Manches- “I don’t want to put a lot town officials and volun- Seamus McAvoy may
our community safe, while months, was lifted on Oct. ter and Windsor Locks also of counter-pressures on and teers distributed 230,000 be reached at smcavoy
keeping schools, municipal 22, 2021 after four weeks of called for a statewide mask rebellion and people fight- N95 masks — seen by health @courant.com
Hospitals conditions,” she said. “That people to wear a mask in weeks, deaths have risen but
subset of people might have public indoor settings. still remain far below the
from Page 1 been vaccinated and even levels recorded last winter.
boosted, but their under- Hospitalizations The United States has
highest in departmental lying illness just set them now recorded 830,788
history in the past week. In up to have an unfavorable As of Wednesday, COVID-19 deaths, according
response, the department outcome.” Connecticut has 1,676 to the Coronavirus Resource
has built a trailer outside of patients hospitalized with Center at Johns Hopkins
the department to expand Cases and COVID-19, up 114 since University.
care for COVID-19 patients, Tuesday and the most the
as well as other hospital positivity rate state has seen since April 29, Vaccinations
areas. 2020.
That surge in demand is Connecticut reported Keith Grant, Hart- As of Wednesday, 89.3%
tempered by the fact that 10,344 new COVID-19 ford HealthCare’s senior of all Connecticut residents
omicron, though intensely cases Wednesday out of system director for infec- and 95% of those 12 and
transmissible, often runs a 45,760 tests administered, tion prevention, said that older had received at least
mild course in vaccinated A youngster gets his first COVID-19 vaccine at a free clinic at for a daily positivity rate according to recent data, one COVID-19 vaccine dose,
individuals. Silver noted that the Discovery Science Center in Bridgeport. STAN GODLEWSKI/ of 22.6%, a slight decrease there are no patients in the while 74.9% of all residents
neither the overall acuity SPECIAL TO THE COURANT from Tuesday’s rate of 24% health system’s ICU who and 83.8% of those 12 and
nor the hospital admission but still among the highest have received a COVID-19 older were fully vaccinated,
rate of patients in the emer- wave last year, which was less than it was for those daily testing positivity rates booster shot. according to the CDC.
gency department have characterized by the delta with the delta variant, Connecticut has seen since Additionally, about 43.7%
spiked. variant, Beckman said. reflecting a diminished widespread testing began. Deaths of fully vaccinated Connecti-
“Many of the patients that At Yale New Haven, severity of illness, particu- All eight Connecticut cut residents 18 or older
are coming in with this wave patient volumes “never larly for those who are vacci- counties — along with nearly Connecticut reports have received a booster dose.
we’re able to treat and tran- really went down” given nated. the rest of the country — are COVID-19 deaths on Thurs- The CDC warns that
sition home safely,” she said. that those who had delayed “Most of the patients currently recording “high” days. Last week, the state booster shots are sometimes
The current wave of care began appearing when requiring the highest level levels of COVID-19 trans- recorded 83 deaths, bringing misclassified as first doses,
COVID-19, driven by the COVID-19 cases dropped, of care, generally inten- mission as defined by the its total during the pandemic likely inflating the reported
omicron variant, is even she added. But the average sive care, are unvaccinated federal Centers for Disease to 9,160. number of first-dose cover-
more infectious than the length of stay for COVID-19 patients and patients who Control and Prevention. As COVID-19 cases and age and understating the
first wave of the pandemic in patients with the omicron have underlying, severe With this level of trans- hospitalizations have surged true number of people who
spring 2020 and the second variant is about three days immunocompromised mission, the CDC advises in Connecticut over recent have received boosters.
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Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022 3
FROM PAGE ONE
Lamont has hip replacement surgery; recovering at home
By Rick Green Lamont, who just turned 68, had ment surgery at the Hospital for “The surgery is very similar to while working remotely,” Reiss said.
Hartford Courant a hip replacement nearly a year ago, Special Surgery in Stamford and he the one he experienced just about Hip replacement is one of the
on Jan. 13. A Lamont spokesman did is currently recovering at home,’’ one year ago, however it was on most common surgeries for middle
Gov. Ned Lamont had a second not say which hip was replaced on said Max Reiss, a spokesman for the opposite hip. His medical team aged and older Americans. There
hip replacement Wednesday morn- Wednesday. Lamont. Lamont will work out of says that he is on track for a speedy were nearly 448,000 hip replace-
ing and is resting comfortably, his “This morning, Governor his Greenwich residence for the recovery, and over the next couple ments in 2017, according to the Wall
office said. Lamont underwent hip replace- next few days, Reiss said. of days he plans to rest at home Street Journal.
State Capitol closing 2 days a week due to virus-related shortages
Blast
from Page 1
By Christopher Keating They just don’t have enough offi- ments over the next several sympathetic to the issues that
Hartford Courant cers. The request from our Capi- weeks like everyone else,” Cande- they’re facing,” Candelora said. plant and the blow was to be
tol police was to shut it down two lora said Wednesday in an inter- Lawmakers are still making done over two days in stages
With the omicron virus spread- days a week so they could make view. “The practical point of this final preparations for the regular that corresponded to eight
ing, officials have decided to close sure that their officers can recover is it’s going to have no impact on legislative session, which starts on discharge nozzles.
the state Capitol on Wednesdays and get back — and those who are the public. But we’re seeing staff Feb. 9 and ends in early May. According to the unanimous
and Fridays. healthy don’t have to work five and members [of the legislature] “Hopefully, a month from now, Supreme Court decision, writ-
House Speaker Matt Ritter and days in a row.” getting sick and having to quaran- things look a lot better,” Ritter said. ten by Justice Andrew McDon-
House Republican leader Vincent Ritter added, “For me, and it tine, so they’re not coming in for Gov. Ned Lamont tradition- ald, more than three-quarters of
Candelora said that a wide variety sounds like for Vinny as well, it the entire week. But they can still ally delivers the State of the State the piping had been cleared by
of workers have recently become was an easy decision.” work from home. … We’ll make the Address on opening day, but that Feb. 7, 2010, through nozzles that
ill with the virus, including Capitol With reduced staffing levels, best that we can of it.” speech was made virtually in 2021. had been aimed vertically to vent
police officers. legislators decided to close the Both legislators and staff can “It’s frustrating, but we have the pressurized gas up, without
“The Capitol police have multi- building on those two days. bring their laptop computers and to react to reality,” Ritter said. obstruction, for disbursal in the
ple — I would say more than 10 — Since the Capitol has already work from home. “And the reality is we do not atmosphere.
officers who are out with COVID,” been operating at reduced capac- “For businesses like a hospital have enough police officers to During one of the final gas
Ritter said Wednesday. “They do ity, Candelora said the impact will or a school, where you need to really have a fully functioning blows late in the morning of Feb.
not have the manpower right now be minimal. have the people present in person state Capitol right now. It’s a 24-7 7, a discharge nozzle was directed
to handle a normal workload. “We’ve had to make adjust- in order to do their job, I’m very complex.” horizontally, pumping an enor-
mous quantity of gas into a court-
yard substantially enclosed by
buildings and power generation
Divide the former president sent out an equipment, including propane
email blast Wednesday accusing heaters. Four small metal pipes
from Page 1 Democrats of using the Jan. 6 attack also were also in the path of the
to stoke dissent.) welding slag and other debris
Ben Proto, chairman of the Themis Klarides, the former blown from the nozzle at high
Connecticut Republican Party, Republican leader in the Connecti- velocity with the gas.
called Jan. 6 “a dark day in our cut House of Representatives and Investigators determined
history.’’ a potential candidate for governor, that, before the explosion,
Proto rejects the lie that Biden’s also denounced what she called a enough gas had been pumped
victory is illegitimate and the elec- “horrific incident.” But Klarides into the courtyard to fill a basket-
tion was stolen from Trump: “Joe said she does not view the attack ball arena and power a typical
Biden was elected President of the through a political lens. home every day for 25 years
United States,’’ he declared. “If you’re a Republican, you “After the debris was expelled
But Proto, who led Donald denounce what happened. If from the discharge nozzle, it
Trump’s 2016 presidential you’re a Democrat, you denounce struck the small metal pipes
campaign in Connecticut, said what happened,’’ Klarides said. located in the courtyard, acquir-
blame for the attack ultimately falls “Going forward, we are in very seri- ing heat from the glancing blow,”
on both parties, even though it was Capitol police confront a mob on Jan. 6, 2021, incited by then-President ous turmoil with regard to where the court said in its decision.
the soon-to-be former president Donald Trump in an attempt to stop the certification of the Joe Biden’s we are in Connecticut … this isn’t “The heated debris was then
who encouraged his supporters to presidential election. ERIN SCHAFF/THE NEW YORK TIMES a state people can afford to live in carried by the discharge exhaust
“fight like hell” at a rally just before and that’s the focus going forward.” into the partially enclosed area,
they stormed the Capitol. more fuses you light, eventually a GOP chairman in New Haven. Bob Stefanowski, a Republican where natural gas had been
Connecticut Republicans who bomb goes off.” “Certainly it’s no secret that the from Madison who was the party’s trapped from the prior gas blow.
were not part of the mob bear Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, majority of the people involved 2018 gubernatorial nominee and is The heated debris ignited the
no responsibility for the tragedy, said Republicans have to recon- in the state and local races and considering another run, said he accumulated natural gas and
Proto said. “To say that a Republi- cile their support of Trump with campaigns and the party are Trump is putting his faith in the FBI and oxygen.”
can in Connecticut is somehow part the strike against democracy that supporters,” Wharton said. “There’s other law enforcement agencies, The Supreme Court rejected
of what happened in Jan. 6 is like unfolded on Jan. 6. no surprise about that. For some which are investigating the assault. the victims’ argument that
saying a Democrat in Connecticut “The Trump infection inside of them, they’re supportive of Jan “A year later I feel the same Kleen and its administrative
is part of what happened in [Port- the Republican Party is less 6 because in their minds they see way as I did when it happened,’’ agent, were “strictly liable” for
land, Ore.] when [protesters] closed acute in Connecticut than in this as a turning point, a moment Stefanowski said. “Acts of violence the gas blow, even if not directly
off and took over an entire area,’’ he other states, but it’s still serious,’’ where some changes had to take like this are absolutely unaccept- involved, because the process
said. Murphy said. “I’m glad that there place, even if they were symbolic, able.” was an unusually dangerous
Dozens, if not hundreds of are still a lot of Republicans in even if it was disruptive.” Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat operation carried out by their
Connecticut residents attended Connecticut that acknowledged Wharton said he’s received post- from Connecticut’s 4th District, employee, the general contrac-
Trump’s Stop the Steal Rally Joe Biden won the election and Jan. 6 pushback from friends and was one of the last members of tor, O&G Industries.
before the Capitol assault. Among agree that what happened on Jan. family members to leave the party. Congress to leave the House cham- There was evidence before
them was Mary Ann Turner, a 6 of last year was an abomination, He’s staying, although he said he ber after police cleared out the the court that gas blows had
longtime Republican activist from but my fear is eventually even in has pulled back from national poli- insurrectionists. been common practice in power
Enfield and the vice-chairwoman Connecticut, the Trump Republi- tics to focus primarily on state and “Our democracy was never plant construction since World
of the state Republican Party. She cans will fully take over the party’s local races. going to collapse because Viking War II and were used in 60% to
declined a request to be interviewed infrastructure, as has happened in “I’m not expecting the national horn guy sits in the president of the 70% of gas power plants built
on Wednesday. most other states.’’ party to address the issue or make Senate’s seat,’’ Himes said. “I don’t over the last 25 years. There
“Jan. 6,’’ Proto said, was “the Trump retains a hold on the amends or reform itself,’’ Wharton have PTSD about Jan. 6, but I have was an effort by one regulatory
culmination of a lot of things. People Republican Party, even in a blue said. huge trepidation for our demo- agency to ban gas blows follow-
feeling like they’re not being heard, state such as Connecticut, said The divisions of the Trump era cratic republic because of the lock, ing the Kleen explosion, but it
they’re not being listened to and Jonathan Wharton, a political continue to define politics, a year stock and barrel commitment of the was overruled.
their needs are being put behind scientist at Southern Connecticut after Trump left the White House. Republican Party to make sure the The victims had sued O&G
those of the power brokers … the State University and the former (Booted off social media platforms, next time the coup works.” years earlier, but lost that case
at the state Supreme Court. The
court concluded that O&G was
immune from the suit because it
Trauma Most indelibly, the loud clap of a protect us,” she said. stress, says the gallery group had paid worker’s compensation
gunshot, reverberating across the Demings said she told a connects almost daily on the text benefits to the victims under
from Page 1 cavernous chamber. colleague: “Just remember, we’re message chain. state law that established it as a
“I’ve heard a lot of gunshots in on the right side of history. If we all Kuster, D-N.H., was one of the principal employer.
they forgot about us.” my time, and it was very clear what die today, another group will come first to be let out of the gallery The court also rejected the
Bound together by circum- that was,” Crow said. “I knew that in and certify those ballots.” Jan. 6, escaping through the doors victim’s argument that Kleen
stance, sharing a trauma uniquely things had severely escalated.” Congress reconvened that night, along with three other members and its agent were vicariously
their own, the lawmakers were The shot was fired by Officer certifying Biden’s election victory just before the remaining lawmak- negligent because they had
both the witnesses and the victims Michael Byrd and killed Ashli before sunrise. ers were locked inside. When control over the gas blow. The
of an unprecedented assault on Babbitt, a Trump supporter trying In the days after the attack, Kuster’s group reached the hall- victims made two additional
American democracy. Along to crawl through the broken many of the lawmakers who were way, a group of rioters was rush- negligence claims that the court
with a small number of staffers window of a door that leads to the in the gallery started connecting ing toward them. declined to consider.
and members of the media, they House chamber. Both the Justice on a text message chain. It quickly “We ducked into the elevator,” John W. Bradley Jr., part of
remained in the chamber as Capi- Department and Capitol Police evolved into therapeutic group Kuster said. “And I said to this the legal team from Hartford’s
tol Police strained to hold back the investigated the shooting and sessions and even potluck gath- incredible policeman — I said, ‘Oh, Rome McGuigan that repre-
mob of supporters of then-Pres- declined to file charges. erings where they tried to make my God, what if the elevator doors sented Kleen, said he was grat-
ident Donald Trump who were Their terror was compounded sense of it all. They dubbed them- open, and they kill us?’ And I will ified by the decision.
stoked on his lies about election by knowledge of what the mob selves “the gallery group,” and the never forget this moment ... he said, “This tragic accident was
fraud. was after: stopping Congress from name stuck. ‘Ma’am, I am here to protect you.’ entirely the fault of the contrac-
The lawmakers were finally certifying the Electoral College Many went on to seek ther- And he was there to protect our tors who were building the
taken to safety roughly an hour votes that would make Joe Biden apy. Some were diagnosed with democracy.” power plant and who were paid
after the siege began. the 46th president. post-traumatic stress, their Eventually, Capitol Police deter- over $760 million dollars to do
Interviewed before this week’s Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., was struggles exacerbated by the mined the upstairs area was clear, so. We are proud to have been
anniversary of the attack, House among those sheltering in the raw tensions on Capitol Hill and even as insurrectionists kept trying able to secure this result for our
members who were in the gallery gallery. The former police chief in an increasing number of death to break through the doors below. client,” he said.
talked of being deeply shaken by Orlando shuddered when police threats. The lawmakers and others were A message seeking comment
their experience. said there had been a “breach” of Others said they have been rushed out of the chamber and was left with O&G.
Vividly they remember the loud, the building. more traumatized by the grow- down a warren of staircases and Victims of the explosion
hornetlike buzz of their gas masks. “I knew that meant that the ing tendency among Republican hallways. When they left, they have been compensated in
The explosive crack of tear gas in police had somehow lost the line. lawmakers, and some in the public, could see police officers holding other ways over the last decade.
the hallways outside. The screams And I also know, having been a to downplay or ignore the violence five or six rioters flat on the ground, There were mediated settle-
of officers telling them to stay former police officer, that they than they were by the attack itself. guns pointed at their heads. ments, workers comp payments
down. The thunderous beating on would have done everything in Rep. Annie Kuster, who sought The rioters were inches from the and agreements with subcon-
the doors below. their power to hold that line to treatment for post-traumatic doors of the gallery. tractors on the project.
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4 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022
JAN. 6 INSURRECTION ONE YEAR LATER
Hard year for 10 House Republicans
Lawmakers paying can Party won’t. They lied
to the American people
a price after voting
and continue to ... echo the
to impeach Trump conspiracy theories that line
their pockets.”
By Jonathan Weisman None of the 10 have fallen
and Luke Broadwater in the Republican firma-
The New York Times ment as Cheney nor risen so
high in the esteem of many
WASHINGTON — The in both parties who fear and
10 House Republicans who loathe Trump. The daugh-
voted to impeach Donald ter of a former vice president
Trump did so with the same who was once the embodi-
conviction — that a presi- ment of confrontational
dent of their party deserved conservatism, for better or
to be charged with inciting worse, Cheney started 2021
insurrection Jan. 6, 2021 — as the chair of the House
and the same hope — that his Republican Conference,
role in doing so would finally a political knife fighter
persuade the GOP to repudi- believed by many to be
ate him. destined for the speakership.
But in the year since the Her vote to impeach and
deadliest attack on the Capi- her outspoken denunci-
tol in centuries, none of the ations of the lie that the
10 lawmakers have been able 2020 election was “stolen”
to avoid the consequences of cost her dearly. She was
a fundamental miscalcula- ousted from her leader-
tion about the direction of ship post, ejected from the
their party. The former pres- Wyoming Republican Party
ident is very much the leader and targeted repeatedly by
of the Republicans, and it is GOP lawmakers attend a joint session of Congress to confirm the Electoral College vote. ERIN SCHAFF/THE NEW YORK TIMES 2021 the former president, who
those who stood against him has tried to unite Wyoming
whom the party has thrust Newhouse of Washington, guy, assuming the apex but declared, “The presi- safety of his wife and chil- voters around the primary
into the role of pariah. Tom Rice of South Carolina has passed,” Meijer said, dent bears responsibility dren, announced in Septem- opponent he has endorsed,
Since they cast their and David Valadao of Cali- referring to Trump. “The for Wednesday’s attack on ber that he would not seek Harriet Hageman.
impeachment votes Jan. 13, fornia — have stayed silent view among some was that Congress by mob rioters.” reelection — and called Cheney has soldiered on,
Reps. Anthony Gonzalez of in the apparent hope that this would be essentially a The Senate Republican Trump “a cancer for the becoming vice chair of the
Ohio and Adam Kinzinger the entire episode will be self-correcting issue” and leader, Mitch McConnell country.” House select committee
of Illinois have announced forgotten. that Trump’s power would of Kentucky, orchestrated Kinzinger, who investigating the riot.
their retirements amid The fate of the 10 over the fade. Trump’s acquittal after a announced his retirement Looking back, Cheney
death threats from past year has offered a brac- “I think that’s proven hasty Senate impeachment in October, has faced simi- said that her fall from
voters and hostility from ing reality check about the overly optimistic,” Meijer trial. But he had let it be lar threats. But he has turned Republican leadership was
colleagues. Rep. Liz Cheney nature of today’s Repub- added. known that he considered his opposition to Trump inevitable as long as she
of Wyoming has gone from lican Party, one that has The 10 could be forgiven the president culpable and into a capstone of his career, had to share the stage with
a star in the House Repub- fully embraced the lie of a for believing that their votes said as much in a scathing defying Republican leaders McCarthy, whose brief
lican leadership to an exiled stolen election and its main last January would not leave speech afterward: “There’s to join the House commit- denunciation of Trump after
party gadfly and truth teller. purveyor, and sidelined the them so exposed. no question — none — that tee investigating the Jan. 6 Jan. 6 quickly gave way to a
Reps. Jaime Herrera few remaining members In the immediate after- President Trump is practi- attack. resumption of fealty.
Beutler of Washington, who have dared to publicly math of the Capitol riot, cally and morally responsi- “The 2020 election was “It was increasingly clear
Peter Meijer of Michigan question Trump or his some of Trump’s most stal- ble for provoking the events not stolen,” he said in a that staying as conference
and Fred Upton of Michi- actions. wart allies quit the govern- of the day.” video message Wednes- chair was going to require
gan have Trump-endorsed “There’s been this ment in disgust. But the rhetorical cover day for the anniversary of me to perpetuate the lie
primary challengers on their waiting game and an Rep. Kevin McCarthy fire proved as ephemeral as Jan. 6. “Joe Biden won, and about the election,” Cheney
heels and uncertain political arbitrage between an indi- of California, the House it was useless. Donald Trump lost. We said. “I was simply not will-
futures. Four others — John vidual’s political future Republican leader, voted Gonzalez, deluged with have to admit it. But the ing to look the other way and
Katko of New York, Dan and the trajectory of that against impeachment threats and fearing for the leadership of the Republi- accept what he did.”
US Capitol Police chief
details security upgrades
Manger tells Senate “The men and women of the D-N.Y., the majority leader,
U.S. Capitol Police proved spoke at the hearing and
panel of progress in
their mettle on Jan. 6.” praised the changes to the
wake of deadly riot Bolton told the commit- force. The top three officials
tee that only about 30 of his in charge of security at the
By Luke Broadwater recommendations had been Capitol a year ago have all
The New York Times implemented. Manger said been replaced, and Congress
another 60 were in progress, has approved more than $70
WASHINGTON — With and that he had assigned an million for upgrades to the
officers still reeling from inspector to ensure that all police force.
the mob violence that over- of them are ultimately put Sen. Amy Klobuchar,
ran Congress a year ago, in place. D-Minn., chair of the
the chief of the U.S. Capi- The Capitol Police remain Rules Committee, said she
tol Police told lawmak- under strain a year after believed it was important for
ers Wednesday that his being overrun by a mob of rank-and-file officers to hear
department was taking Donald Trump supporters that the agency was under-
steps to address deficien- who stormed the building as taking reforms.
cies laid bare by the attack Congress met to count elec- “It’s important for the
and would implement more toral votes to formalize Joe officers who were protect-
than 100 recommendations Biden’s victory in the pres- ing us on the front line —
for improvement. idential election. About 150 cuts on their faces, losing
The chief, J. Thomas officers from the Capitol their friends and colleagues U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger is sworn in Wednesday during a Senate committee
Manger, who took over Police, Washington’s Metro- to suicide — to hear about hearing on changes at the agency after last year’s deadly riot. ELIZABETH FRANTZ/POOL VIA AP
the force in July, told the politan Police Department the progress that’s been
Senate Rules Committee and other local agencies made as well and some of the sworn officers. 6 January 2021 breach of the last year to make it possible
that the Capitol Police were were injured in the violence, improvements in morale,” He also outlined other U.S. Capitol to promote or for the Capitol Police chief
already addressing 90 of including more than 80 from Klobuchar said. improvements, including possibly commit violence, to unilaterally request the
the agency inspector gener- the Capitol Police alone. Manger said the agency making enhancements to but we currently lack report- assistance of the National
al’s 103 recommendations. Afterward, numerous encountered more than the way the department ing on a specific or credible Guard. He said that and
They include streamlining failures by the agency were 9,000 threats last year, an gathers and shares intelli- threat.” similar reforms were needed
intelligence operations and made clear, even as linger- increase from previous gence and beefing up the The report said the to better protect the police
purchasing needed equip- ing grief, trauma and fear years, requiring a height- Civil Disturbance Unit. “mostly likely threat of officers who were overrun
ment. suffused its ranks. The fail- ened workload. He added that the force violence surrounding the 6 during the Capitol attack.
“We fully understand the ures included findings that Manger said the force had prepared a 25-page January anniversary stems “These officers were the
need to restore confidence managers had not equipped had made key new hires security plan for Thurs- from lone offenders seek- true heroes of Jan. 6,” Blunt
in our ability to fulfill our the force with enough and planned to ramp up day’s anniversary of the Jan. ing to target perceived ideo- said.
mission each day, no matter riot gear or produced an recruitment efforts, includ- 6 attack. logical opponents, political Manger’s testimony came
the circumstances,” Manger adequate plan for a poten- ing setting a goal of hiring A Department of Home- symbols or law enforce- a day after three police offi-
said in written testimony to tial riot, and had ignored 280 new officers each year land Security intelli- ment.” cers injured in the attack
the committee, which last or overlooked intelligence for the next three years, as gence analysis from Dec. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., filed two separate federal
month heard critiques of reports warning of attacks well as quickly bringing 30 concluded that “threat the top Republican on the lawsuits seeking to hold
the agency from the inspec- on lawmakers. in other security workers actors will try to exploit the committee, highlighted Trump accountable for the
tor general, Michael Bolton. Sen. Chuck Schumer, under contract to free up upcoming anniversary of the legislation Congress passed violence.
Grammys postpone ceremony, citing omicron variant risks
Associated Press analysis with city and state spare audience made up of ment said. ing nominee for this year’s
officials, health and safety mostly nominees and their Finding a suitable date honors, grabbing 11 nods in
LOS ANGELES — The experts, the artist commu- guests in and around the Los could be complicated, with a variety of genres including
Grammy Awards were nity and our many partners.” Angeles Convention Center. three professional sports R&B, jazz, American roots
postponed Wednesday due “Given the uncertainty Many performances were teams occupying the arena. music, classical and music
to what organizers called surrounding the omicron pre-taped, and none were in The Recording Academy video. Justin Bieber, Doja
“too many risks” due to the variant, holding the show on front of significant crowds. made no mention of a possi- Cat and H.E.R. are tied for
omicron variant. No new January 31st simply contains The Grammys had been ble venue change in its state- the second-most nomina-
date has been announced. too many risks,” the acad- scheduled this year to return ment. tions with eight apiece.
The ceremony had been emy said in a statement. to its traditional home next The move was announced The Grammys’ move
scheduled for Jan. 31 in Los Last year, like most major door, the Crypto.com Arena, around the same time could be the beginning of
Angeles with a live audi- awards shows in early 2021, formerly Staples Center. the Sundance Film Festi- another round of award-
ence and performances. The the Grammys were post- “We look forward to cele- val canceled its in-person show rescheduling, with the
The Grammy Awards will not Recording Academy said it poned due to coronavirus brating Music’s Biggest programming set to begin Screen Actors Guild Awards
be held on Jan. 31 in California made the decision to post- concerns. The show was Night on a future date, Jan. 20 and shifted to an planned for February and
due to the omicron variant. pone the ceremony “after moved from late January to which will be announced online format. the Academy Awards for
CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP 2021 careful consideration and mid-March and held with a soon,” the academy state- Jon Batiste is the lead- March.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022 5
WORLD & NATION
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6 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022
WORLD & NATION
Chinese city struggles in lockdown
Food harder to get
as 13 million stuck
at home in Xi’an
By Ken Moritsugu
Associated Press
BEIJING — Residents of
the Chinese city of Xi’an are
enduring a strict coronavi-
rus lockdown, with busi-
ness owners suffering yet
more closures and some
people complaining of diffi-
culties finding food, despite
assurances from authorities
that they are able to provide
necessities for the 13 million
people largely confined to
their homes.
Stringent measures to
stem outbreaks are common
in China, which still main-
tains a policy of stamping
out every COVID-19 case
long after many other coun-
tries have opted to try to live
with the virus. But the lock-
down imposed Dec. 23 in
Xi’an is one of the harshest
in the country since a shut-
down in 2020 in and around
Wuhan, after the coronavi-
rus was first detected there.
This week, authorities
announced that another city,
Yuzhou in Henan province,
was placed under lockdown
over the weekend after
the discovery of just three
asymptomatic cases.
The Chinese have largely Residents shop for food at a temporary store Monday in Xi’an, a city under lockdown in China’s Shaanxi province. CHINATOPIX
complied with the tough
measures throughout the people with daily necessities posted on Weibo. of 1.7 million but are not by China. their jobs if they don’t bring
pandemic, but complaints and medical services.” In an online diary on permitted to leave and must A third round of mass the numbers of new cases
have cropped up over tough The lockdown in Xi’an the popular Weixin site, isolate at home. Only emer- testing has been ordered for down. Already, the top two
policies, despite the risk of originally allowed people a Xi’an-based writer said gency vehicles are allowed Xi’an, which is capable of Communist Party officials
retaliation from Communist to leave the house every two that following an initial on city roads. Restaurants, swabbing 10 million people in Yanta district, where half
authorities. The Xi’an lock- days to shop for basic goods, wave of panic-buying and sports facilities and a wide in just seven hours and the city’s cases have been
down, however, comes at a but it has since been tight- the closure of markets, resi- range of other businesses processing up to 3 million recorded, have been fired,
particularly sensitive time, ened, though the rules vary dents soon began searching have been ordered to shut, results in just 12 hours, according to a statement
as China prepares to hold according to the severity of for food online. while markets can only offer according to state media. from the government of the
the Beijing Winter Olym- the outbreak in each district. “In this age of material basic necessities, an order While Wuhan’s health surrounding province of
pics, which open Feb. 4, and Some people are not allowed surplus, when everyone is from the city government care system was over- Shaanxi.
therefore is under especially to go out at all and must have trying to lose weight, finding said. whelmed after the pandemic The head of a tourism
intense pressure to contain goods delivered to them. enough to eat has suddenly Meanwhile, Xi’an, home began there in late 2019, firm reached by phone said
this outbreak. People can only leave the become a difficult task,” to the famed Terracotta China has not reported any Tuesday that supplies were
“Can’t leave the building, city with special permission. Jiang Xue wrote. A message Army statues along with shortages of beds or medi- basically sufficient, but that
and it’s getting more and In recent days, people in sent to the account was not major industries, has seen cal equipment and staff in his business had been suffer-
more difficult to buy food Xi’an could be seen shop- immediately returned. more than 1,600 cases in Xi’an. Two dozen special ing since July.
online,” said one resident ping at pop-up markets, China’s “zero tolerance” a surge that officials say is teams have been formed to “Now with the lock-
of Xi’an, who posted on the served by workers in head- strategy of quarantining driven by the delta variant, deal with COVID-19 cases down, the effect has been
social media platform Weibo to-toe white protective suits. every case, mass testing which is less infectious than and a pair of hospitals have extremely big,” said the man,
under the name Mu Qingyu- Community volunteers also and trying to block new the newer omicron strain, of been set aside to provide who gave just his surname,
ani Sayno. The post was visited people’s homes to ask infections from abroad which China has reported other types of care, Xinhua Wen, as is common among
from a verified account, but what they needed. helped it to contain previ- only a handful of cases. reported. Chinese.
the person did not respond Yet the strain is begin- ous outbreaks. But the Another 95 infections were China has vaccinated Qin Huilin, who works at
to a request for further ning to show, with residents lockdowns are far more announced Tuesday. nearly 85% of its popula- a traditional mutton soup
comment. increasingly complaining stringent than anything seen China has reported a tion, according to Our World restaurant, said the lock-
Zhang Canyou, an expert on Weibo of being unable in the West, and they have total of 102,841 cases and in Data. The shots have down brought business to a
with the State Council’s to source necessities. In one exacted a tremendous toll on 4,636 deaths since the helped reduce the severity screeching halt.
epidemic prevention and widely shared video, guards the economy and the lives of pandemic began. While of disease, although Chinese “We used to have about
control team, conceded that could be seen attacking a millions of people. those numbers are relatively vaccines are considered less a hundred customers every
“there may be supply pres- man who had tried to deliver The measures often fall small compared to the U.S. effective than used those day, but we’ve had none
sure in communities.” steamed buns to family into place after just a few and other countries, and elsewhere. for more than a dozen days
But he was quoted by the members. The guards later cases are identified, as was likely undercounts as they In a sign of the pres- since the lockdown,” Qin
official Xinhua news agency apologized to the man and seen in Yuzhou. Since the are everywhere, they do sure authorities are under said by phone. “The impact
as also saying: “The govern- were each fined 200 yuan, rules were imposed there show the persistence of the to curb this outbreak, offi- on our business is signifi-
ment will go all-out to coor- or about $30, according to Sunday, residents have been virus despite the sometimes cials have been put on cant, but I can go shopping
dinate resources to provide a Xi’an police statement allowed to return to the city draconian measures taken notice that they will lose once every few days.”
Many in GOP see attack
on Capitol differently
Poll: Only about 4 in 10 call deadly Jan. 6 riot violent
By Farnoush Amiri the ransacking of the build- last year. Sixty percent say
Associated Press ing in harrowing detail. he had little to no respon-
Trump and some allies in sibility.
WASHINGTON — The Congress and conservative “I don’t believe that he
fighting — so primitive and media have played it down, actively was like promot-
ferocious that one Capitol falsely characterizing the ing people to do anything
Police officer described it as attack as a minor civil distur- other than a peaceful
“medieval” and another as bance. protest,” Bender, 53, said.
a “trip to hell” — left more It’s a view that is shared by “However, once things got
than 100 law enforcement many Republicans, though out of hand, I think that it
personnel injured, some few go so far as to defend the would have been appropri-
beaten with their own weap- rioters themselves. ate for him to have reacted
ons. “My understanding was sooner, whether that was a
Video cameras captured that a lot of it was pretty statement or going on the
the violence live, with riot- peaceful,” Paul Bender, a radio or TV or whatever.”
ers clubbing officers with self-described conservative The insurrection was
flagpoles and fire extin- from Cleveland, told The the closing act of Trump’s
guishers, even squeezing Associated Press in a recent desperate effort to over-
one between doors as he interview. “I’ve seen some turn his election loss to Joe
begged for his life. video of the people just like Biden.
Yet only about 4 in 10 marching in through a velvet After Trump’s baseless Rioters loyal to then-President Donald Trump rally Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in
Republicans recall the Jan. rope.” claims of voter fraud were Washington. The day later descended into chaos. JOSE LUIS MAGANA/AP
6 attack by supporters of Bender, who said he didn’t soundly rejected in the
then-President Donald keep up with the news courts, he shifted his focus licans and Democrats alike Robert Spry, a Democrat continue to investigate,
Trump as very violent or coverage, added, “There to the Electoral College overwhelmingly say that in Kingman, Arizona, said while 58% say it should not.
extremely violent, according were certainly outlier people certification on Jan. 6, the individual rioters had the congressional investiga- Bell said a federal investi-
to a new poll conducted Dec. who were not peaceful and publicly pressuring then- a great deal or quite a bit tion is crucial for getting at gation into what she saw as
2-7 from Associated Press- were breaking through the Vice President Mike Pence of responsibility for their the truth. “a terrorist attack” is appro-
NORC Center for Public windows and stuff like that, to stop Congress from actions during the riot. “We need a comprehen- priate, but she objects to
Affairs Research. but I wasn’t aware of overt naming Biden the winner. “I think there were strong sive report of that day. It has the way the nine-member
About 3 in 10 Republi- violence.” Pence did not have that supporters of President got to come to light what panel has been conducting
cans say the attack was not Meanwhile, the percent- power under the law, as the Trump that were there, those people did to police the investigation since July
violent, and about another age of Americans who vice president’s function is but I think the people that and to that building,” Spry of last year.
3 in 10 say it was somewhat blame Trump for the Jan. largely ceremonial. caused the attacks might said. “They’re not listening to
violent. 6 riot has grown slightly Trump promoted the Jan. not have been true Trump The 63-year-old, who all the information. I feel
Their views were a over the past year, with 57% 6 rally that preceded the supporters,” said Mary Beth used to vote Republican like it’s one-sided more or
distinct minority as overall saying he bears significant attack, predicting it would Bell of Jacksonville, Flor- but now considers himself less than trying to investi-
about two-thirds of Amer- responsibility for what took be “wild,” and in a speech ida. “Because I know a lot a conservative Democrat, gate everything,” she said of
icans described the day as place. In an AP-NORC poll that day urged his support- of Trump supporters, and said the protest-turned- the committee, composed
very or extremely violent, taken in the days after the ers to “fight like hell” as they see what happened on attack appeared chaotic of seven Democrats and two
including about 9 in 10 attack, 50% said that. Congress convened to Jan. 6 as disgusting as I do.” at first but the commit- Republicans.
Democrats. The uptick is seen among certify the election results. About 7 in 10 Ameri- tee’s findings are making it House Speaker Nancy
The findings reflect the Republicans as well, even as The attack halted that cans also say a House select “more and more clear that Pelosi, D-Calif., chose
country’s political polariza- relatively few think Trump process for hours as rioters committee should continue it was planned in advance.” all the members of the
tion, with a false portrayal of bears significant responsi- occupied the building. its investigation of the Forty-one percent of committee after rejecting
the siege taking hold despite bility. Twenty-two percent Still, while few Republi- attack, while about 3 in 10 Republicans agree with the choices of House GOP
extensive footage that shows say that now, up from 11% cans blame Trump, Repub- say it should not. Spry that Congress should leadership.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022 7
WORLD & NATION
NEWS BRIEFING
Garland vows anyone
responsible for Jan. 6
to be held accountable
From news services Germany said Wednesday
that Russia’s military buildup
WASHINGTON — Attor- near Ukraine’s border poses
ney General Merrick Garland an “immediate and urgent
on Wednesday vowed to hold challenge” to European
accountable anyone who was security and that any inter-
responsible for last year’s vention will draw severe
insurrection at the U.S. Capi- consequences.
tol, whether they were physi- Secretary of State Antony
cally there or not. Blinken and German Foreign
In a speech to Justice Minister Annalena Baer-
Department employees, bock sought to present a
Garland said prosecutors unified front after a meeting
remained “committed to in Washington.
holding all January 6th “Both Germany and the
perpetrators, at any level, United States see Russia’s
accountable under law.” actions toward Ukraine as an
Thursday marks the first immediate and urgent chal-
anniversary of the attack lenge to peace and stability in
on the Capitol. The Justice Europe,” Blinken said.
Department has faced The Blinken-Baerbock
increased pressure from meeting followed a tele-
some Democrats to focus phone call last week between
more on actions that may President Joe Biden and Riot police prepare to confront demonstrators on Wednesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In response to a near-doubling of fuel
have inspired the thousands Russian President Vladi- prices, protesters set the presidential palace and the mayor’s office in the Central Asian nation’s largest city on fire. On Thursday,
of pro-Trump rioters to mir Putin, a conversation a Russian-led military alliance said it would send peacekeeping forces to neighboring Kazakhstan. VLADIMIR TRETYAKOV/AP
storm the building. Sunday between Biden and
“We will follow the facts Ukrainian President Volody-
wherever they lead,” Garland myr Zelenskyy, and a group tion of anonymity, said U.S.- an immediate threat to U.S. v. Ferguson, which solidified destabilize the region and
said in his speech. “The discussion Tuesday among led coalition forces at the territory or its allies. It said whites-only spaces in public undermine a 1995 U.S.-bro-
actions we have taken thus Biden’s national security base were forced into shel- in a statement that the U.S. accommodations such as kered peace accord.
far will not be our last.” adviser Jake Sullivan and his ters. There was no imme- commitment to the defense transportation, hotels and The Treasury Depart-
The investigation into the counterparts from the five diate comment from the of its allies, South Korea and schools for decades. ment also alleged that Dodik
attack on the Capitol is the Nordic nations. coalition, which is in Iraq to Japan, remains “ironclad.” At a ceremony held near has used his leadership posi-
largest in the Justice Depart- It also preceded a flurry of help fight the Islamic State South Korea’s military said where Plessy was arrested, tion to accumulate wealth
ment’s history. So far, more meetings involving NATO group. a suspected ballistic missile Gov. John Bel Edwards said through graft and brib-
than 700 people have been foreign ministers, senior U.S. Earlier Wednesday, the fired from North Korea’s he was “beyond grateful” to ery, including by provid-
arrested and 350 others are and Russian officials, the Iraqi military said a rocket mountainous northern help restore Plessy’s “legacy ing government contracts
still being sought by the FBI, NATO-Russia Council and launcher with one rocket Jagang province flew toward of the rightness of his cause … and monopolies to business
including 250 of whom are the Organization for Security was located in a residential its eastern waters. undefiled by the wrongness associates. The practical
accused of assaulting police and Cooperation in Europe district in western Bagh- of his conviction.” impact of the Biden admin-
officers. set for next week. dad, an area used in the past Plessy pardoned: Louisi- The Plessy v. Ferguson istration’s actions is that any
Garland also detailed by Iran-backed militias to ana’s governor on Wednes- ruling allowing racial segre- property or interest belong-
the serious assaults on Middle East attacks: Iraqi fire at the airport. In east- day posthumously pardoned gation across American life ing to Dodik in the United
law enforcement officers, military bases hosting U.S. ern Syria, the rounds hit a Homer Plessy, the Black stood as the law of the land States is blocked and must
describing in detail how troops in Iraq’s western base run by the U.S.-backed man whose arrest for refus- until the Supreme Court be reported.
officers were beaten and Anbar province and the capi- Syrian Democratic Forces ing to leave a whites-only unanimously overruled it in Dodik, a member of
shocked with stun guns. tal of Baghdad were hit by with a small coalition advi- railroad car in 1892 led to 1954, in Brown v. the Board Bosnia’s tripartite presidency
During the riot, one officer Katyusha rockets Wednes- sory presence. The coalition the Supreme Court ruling of Education. Both cases that also includes a Bosniak
was beaten and shocked day while in Syria, eight said in a statement there was that cemented “separate but argued that segregation laws and a Croat official, has for
with a stun gun repeatedly rounds of indirect fire landed minor damage. equal” into U.S. law for half a violated the 14th Amend- years been advocating the
until he had a heart attack; inside a base with members century. ment’s right to equal protec- separation of the Bosnian
another was foaming at the of the U.S.-led coalition, the NKorea fires missile: North The state Board of Pardons tion. Serb semi-autonomous mini-
mouth and screaming for Iraqi and U.S. militaries said. Korea fired a ballistic missile last year recommended the state from Bosnia and having
help as rioters crushed him No casualties were into the sea on Wednesday, pardon for Plessy, who US issues sanctions: it become part of Serbia.
between two doors and reported in the three attacks. the U.S. military said, its first boarded the rail car as a The Biden administra- That what would be
bashed him in the head with According to an Iraqi offi- weapons launch in about two member of a small civil rights tion announced sanctions a breach of the Dayton
his own weapon. cer, an Iraqi base was hit months. group hoping to overturn a Wednesday against Bosnian Accords, the U.S.-sponsored
with five Katyusha rockets The U.S. Indo-Pacific state law segregating trains. Serb leader Milorad Dodik, peace agreement that ended
Diplomats call out Russia: on Wednesday evening. The Command said the ballistic Instead, the protest led to the accusing him of “corrupt Bosnia’s civil war, which
The United States and officer, who spoke on condi- missile launch didn’t pose 1896 ruling known as Plessy activities” that threaten to killed over 100,000 people.
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8 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022
Fed officials note US job Hong Kong
cites virus
market near full recovery
in banning
But concerns over inflation’s spread, duration remain, meeting minutes show
US flights
By Christopher Rugaber Fed officials also voiced heightened are intended to lower long-term rates —
Associated Press concerns about inflation, a development at twice the pace it had previously set and
that pushed down stock prices after the will likely end those purchases in March. By Zen Soo
WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market minutes were released. Bond yields also That accelerated timetable puts the Fed on Associated Press
is nearly at levels healthy enough that the rose in response. The yield on the 10-year a path to start hiking its benchmark short-
central bank’s low-interest rate policies are Treasury note, a benchmark for setting term interest rate as early as the first half HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities
no longer needed, Federal Reserve officials rates on mortgages and many other kinds of this year. announced a two-week ban on flights from
concluded last month, according to minutes of loans, increased to 1.7% soon after the Fed policymakers also suggested they the United States and seven other countries
of the meeting released Wednesday. minutes were released, from 1.68% just could hike the Fed’s short-term bench- and held 2,500 passengers on a cruise ship
Fed officials also expressed concerns that before. mark interest rate three times this year. for coronavirus testing Wednesday as the
surging inflation was spreading into more “Inflation readings had been higher That signaled a significant pickup from city attempted to stem an emerging omicron
areas of the economy and would last longer and were more persistent and widespread their September meeting, when the 18 poli- outbreak.
than they previously expected, the minutes than previously anticipated,” the minutes cymakers split over whether to lift rates a The ban on passenger flights from Austra-
said. said. “Some participants noted that ... the single time in 2022. lia, Britain, Canada, France, India, Pakistan,
“Many (policymakers) saw the U.S. econ- percentage of product categories with Even Fed officials who have long been the Philippines and the United States will
omy making rapid progress” toward the substantial price increases continued to focused on keeping rates low to combat take effect Sunday and continue until Jan. 21.
Fed’s goal of “maximum employment,” the climb.” unemployment — such as San Francisco Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam also
minutes said. “Several” officials said they With inflation worsening and unemploy- Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly announced that restaurant dining will be
felt the goal had already been reached. ment falling more quickly than many econ- and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kash- forbidden after 6 p.m. for two weeks start-
The minutes underscored the Fed’s sharp omists expected, Fed Chair Jerome Powell kari — now cite concerns about high infla- ing Friday.
pivot from what had been its policy through said after the Dec. 14-15 meeting that the tion as a reason for raising interest rates this Game arcades, bars and beauty salons
most of the pandemic, shifting from keep- central bank was accelerating the reduction year. must also close during that period.
ing interest rates very low to encourage of its ultra-low interest rate policies. The Fed’s key rate, which has been near “We have to contain the pandemic
more hiring, to moving quickly toward The Fed said last month that it would zero for nearly two years, influences many to ensure that there will not be a major
raising rates to rein in inflation, which has reduce the monthly bond purchases it has consumer and business loans, including outbreak in the community again,” Lam said
surged to four-decade highs. made since the spring of 2020 — which mortgages, credit cards and auto loans. at a news conference, adding that the city is
“on the verge” of another surge.
The measures came as new omicron
clusters have emerged over the past week,
many linked to several Cathay Pacific crew
members who broke isolation rules and
dined at restaurants and bars in the city
before testing positive.
Thousands of passengers who were being
held Wednesday on a Royal Caribbean cruise
ship in Hong Kong for coronavirus tests,
after health authorities said nine passen-
gers were linked to an omicron cluster and
ordered the ship to turn back.
The ship returned to Hong Kong on
Wednesday and passengers were held
onboard for most of the day while they
awaited testing.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement that
the nine guests were immediately isolated
and all tested negative.
BUSINESS BRIEFING
More oil found
off Guyana coast
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — ExxonMobil
said Wednesday that it made two additional
oil discoveries off the coast of Guyana as the
South American country prepares to become
the world’s newest major oil producer.
The discoveries occurred in an area where
Troy Webber, owner of Chesterfield Auto Parts, holds a used catalytic converter removed from one of the cars at his salvage yard last month in officials believe they can extract at least 10
Richmond, Virginia. Thefts of the devices have jumped as prices for the precious metals they contain have skyrocketed. STEVE HELBER/AP billion oil-equivalent barrels.
The company said a vessel that arrived
in Guyana late last year is expected to start
Catalytic converters targeted
production in upcoming months with a
target of up to 220,000 barrels of oil a day.
Guyana issued its first oil and gas license to
ExxonMobil in 2017 after the company said
it made “significant” oil discoveries off the
Thieves sell precious metals For victims, the costs of replacing a metal dealers who buy the converters. Ten country’s Atlantic coast.
the part contains to scrap stolen catalytic converter can easily top states enacted new legislation in 2021, The deal is expected to generate up to $5
$1,000 and make their vehicle undrivable including laws in Arkansas, South Carolina billion a year for Guyana.
yards that then resell them for days or weeks as the part is ordered and and Texas that require scrap metal buyers
installed. of used converters to maintain records of
By Denise Lavoie John Robinson, a member of Poplar purchases, including proof of ownership,
Associated Press Mount Baptist Church, said replacing the vehicle identification numbers, the seller’s Germany keeps
stolen converter cost about $1,000. The home address and driver’s license numbers,
RICHMOND, Va. — In the tiny town of theft was covered by insurance, but the according to the insurance crime bureau.
eye on Google
Lawrenceville, Virginia, a van owned by church had to pay its $250 deductible and In North Carolina, a law that went into
Poplar Mount Baptist Church was knocked was unable to use the van for six weeks. effect Dec. 1 makes catalytic converter
out of commission for weeks after thieves The National Insurance Crime Bureau thefts a Class I felony and requires busi-
cut the catalytic converter out of its exhaust said the number of catalytic converter thefts nesses that buy used converters to get docu- LONDON — Germany’s antitrust watch-
system. reported in claims to insurance companies mentation and maintain detailed records on dog paved the way Wednesday for extra
Several months later, across town, a jumped from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020. people who sell the devices to them. scrutiny of Google by designating it a
catalytic converter was ripped from a van NICB President David Glawe said there has A bill modeled after the North Carolina company of “paramount significance,” the
owned by First Baptist Church. been a significant increase in thefts since law will be introduced in Virginia when the first to get that label since regulators got
Similar crimes followed, targeting a total the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. legislature reconvenes this month. more power to curb abusive practices by big
of 15 church vans and 13 other vehicles in “It’s an opportunistic crime,” Glawe said At Chesterfield Auto Parts, where digital companies.
town, part of a nationwide surge in thefts in a statement. “As the value of the precious customers can pull parts from junked The Bundeskartellamt said its decision
of catalytic converters. metals contained within the catalytic cars, owner Troy Webber said his work- comes after rules were introduced last year
Thefts of the exhaust emission control converters continues to increase, so do the ers remove catalytic converters before the that allow it “to intervene earlier and more
devices have jumped over the past two number of thefts of these devices. There is vehicles are made available to the public, effectively” to ban companies from using
years as prices for the precious metals they a clear connection between times of crisis, then lock the devices in steel containers anti-competitive practices.
contain have skyrocketed. Thieves can limited resources and disruption of the before selling them to auto recyclers. That The watchdog said Google has “significant
expect to get anywhere from $50 to $300 supply chain that drives investors towards doesn’t stop thieves from trying to break influence” over other companies’ access to
if they sell the converters to scrap yards, these precious metals.” in, he said. its users and advertising customers through
which then sell them to recycling facilities The increase in thefts has prompted “People cut through our fence constantly search, YouTube, Android and its online Play
to reclaim the metals inside, including plat- states across the country to toughen penal- to try to steal the catalytic converters,” he Store “and can set rules and conditions for
inum, palladium and rhodium. ties and impose new requirements for scrap said. other businesses across markets.”
Taiwan to invest in Lithuania amid China feud Effectivefederalfundsrate
Dailyinterestrateatwhichbankslend
eachotherreservefunds
By Liudas Dapkus Lithuania broke with diplomatic custom goods are stopped from entering China.
2.5
Associated Press by agreeing that the Taiwanese office Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
in Vilnius would bear the name Taiwan Zhao Lijian has called it “false news” that
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Taiwan is creat- instead of Chinese Taipei, a term used by Beijing has blocked Lithuanian imports or 2.0
ing an investment fund and planning other other countries to avoid offending Beijing. pressured multinational companies that do
measures to help Lithuania as it faces major China considers Taiwan part of its territory business with the EU country.
economic pressure from China for allowing with no right to diplomatic recognition. “If there’s a problem with any products’ 1.5
the island to open a representative office in The office, a de facto embassy, opened export to China, the enterprises concerned
the European Union country, Taiwanese in November, and Lithuania is planning to can report it to the Chinese authorities
officials said Wednesday. open its own trade office in Taiwan later through normal channels. The individu- 1.0
“The $200 million fund will be used for this year. It has infuriated China, which als in the EU should respect facts and stop
investments into the Lithuanian economy withdrew its ambassador to Vilnius and making irresponsible remarks,” Zhao said Jan.4,
and help its business, primarily into semi- expelled the Lithuanian ambassador to late last month. 0.5 2022:
conductors, laser technology, biotech and Beijing. Lithuania, a member of the EU He added that Lithuania “seriously 0.08%
other key industries,” Eric Huang, repre- and NATO, has closed its embassy in Beijing damaged the political basis of our diplo-
sentative of the Taiwanese mission to Lith- over the dispute. matic relations” and that he has “heard that
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
uania, told reporters in the Baltic nation’s Taiwan said it is ready to help Lithuania some Chinese enterprises no longer see
capital of Vilnius. in resupplying trade, with the island saying Lithuania as a trustworthy partner.” SOURCE:FederalReserveBankofNewYork TNS
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022 9
BUSINESS
Feds pull plug on Killingly natural gas plant
By Stephen Singer more than two years after it Department of Energy and The state Department of gas, “knowing that meth- tricity grid,” she said.
Hartford Courant was committed to start. ISO Environmental Protection. Energy and Environmental ane is the chief component Matt Kakley, a spokes-
said in November the Kill- NTE told federal regu- Protection considers plans of natural gas, the most man for ISO-New England,
Plans to build a natural ingly project failed to meet lators that ISO’s request for Killingly dead. destructive greenhouse gas said forecasts for electric-
gas plant in Killingly have its target established when to terminate the deal is “This closes the chapter we have.” ity demand are developed
been scuttled by federal it agreed in February 2019 to “premature and based on on the project and it is now Dykes replied by saying through a “full stakeholder
regulators at the request of generate power. faulty assumptions.” It said time to focus on market natural gas is a “bridge from process” that includes repre-
New England’s electric grid In an emailed statement, it was delayed by challenges changes that will support coal and oil,” which emit sentatives from Connecticut.
operator. NTE Energy, the St. Augus- from other generators and a clean and reliable grid of more carbon. The ISO regularly updates
The decision by the tine, Florida, company that environmentalists. It also the future,” spokesman Will In November, when its forecasts, accounting
Federal Energy Regula- had planned to build the blamed COVID-19 for side- Healey said in an emailed ISO-New England asked for changes in consumer
tory Commission to cancel more than $500 million lining employees who were statement. FERC to approve its request demand patterns, energy
a power-generating agree- plant, said it’s “very disap- forced to remain at home Environmentalists put to terminate the deal, Dykes efficiency and the use of
ment delivers a long-sought pointed.” and disrupting supply chains Gov. Ned Lamont and Katie said the grid operator had solar panels, he said. In
victory for environmental- “The Killingly Energy and access to construction Dykes, his energy commis- reduced its forecast of how addition, periodic power
ists who are fighting the use Center is important for labor and other services and sioner, on the defensive over much power generation purchase auctions account
of fossil fuels. grid reliability and we will materials needed to start the the Killingly plant. Saman- New England needs. for updated demand fore-
Regulators agreed continue to work to be project. tha Dynowski, state director “Separate and apart from casts and the status of
with ISO-New England, the bridge for the region’s The Connecticut Chap- of Sierra Club Connecti- the viability of this particu- projects being developed,
the Holyoke, Massachu- carbon-free future,” it said. ter of the Sierra Club, which cut, told them at a Septem- lar project, it kind of raises Kakley said.
setts-based grid operator, The proposal had fiercely opposed the plant, ber 2019 meeting she was the question about how
that the Killingly plant will received certification from called the federal decision concerned that Connecti- much the region needs this Stephen Singer can be
not be ready to begin opera- the state Siting Council “a bit of cheer as we start the cut is the only New England particular facility to meet reached at ssinger
tions until after June 1, 2024, and an air permit from the New Year.” state expanding natural reliability needs of the elec- @courant.com.
$29K for an average used car?
Would-be buyers left shocked
By Tom Krisher rational level, it is the kind of production to try to slow
Associated Press scenario playing out at many the virus’s spread. As sales
auto dealerships across the of new vehicles sank, fewer
DETROIT — A couple of country. Prices have soared people traded in used cars
months ago, a woman paid a so high, so fast, that buyers and trucks. At the same time,
visit to Jeff Schrier’s used car are being increasingly priced demand for laptops and
lot in Omaha, Nebraska. She out of the market. monitors from people stuck
was on a tight budget, she Consider that the average at home led semiconductor
said, and was desperate for a price of a used vehicle in the makers to shift production
vehicle to commute to work. United States in November, from autos, which depend
She was shown three cars according to Edmunds.com, on such chips, to consumer
priced at her limit, roughly was $29,011 — a dizzying 39% electronics.
$7,500. Schrier said the more than just 12 months When a swifter-than-ex-
woman was stunned. earlier. And for the first time pected economic rebound Prices for used cars have soared so high that buyers are being priced out of the market. Above,
“ ‘That’s what I get for that anyone can recall, more boosted demand for vehicles, a certified used car dealership in Schaumburg, Illinois. NAM Y. HUH/AP 2021
$7,500?’ ” he recalled her than half of America’s house- auto plants tried to restore
saying. holds have less income than full production. But chip $46,000. 7.5%, the average used vehi- said.
The vehicles had far more is considered necessary to makers couldn’t respond fast Even so, prices of used cle now costs $520 a month, Among the few consum-
age or mileage on them than buy the average-priced used enough. cars are likely to edge even when financed for the ers who stand to benefit are
she had expected for some- vehicle. And rental car companies closer to new ones. Since average of nearly six years, those who want to sell a used
thing to replace a car that had The days when just about and other fleet buyers, unable the pandemic started, used Edmunds calculated. car and don’t necessarily
been totaled in a crash. anyone with a steady income to acquire new vehicles, vehicle prices have jumped David Paris, a senior need to replace it. The aver-
The woman eventually could wander onto an auto stopped off-loading older 42% — more than double the manager at J.D. Power, noted age trade-in value in Octo-
settled on a 2013 Toyota lot and snag a reliable late- ones, thereby compounding increase for new ones. Last that used vehicle prices are ber, Paris said, was $9,000
Scion with a whopping model car or buy their kid’s the shortage of used vehicles. month, the average used directly tied to the cost of — twice what it was a year
160,000 miles on it. Schrier first vehicle for a few thou- Bleak as the market is vehicle price was 63% of the new ones. Though some earlier.
isn’t sure he made any profit sand dollars have essentially for used-car buyers, the average new vehicle cost. automakers report that the Some people may have
on the deal. vanished. computer chip shortage Before the pandemic, it was computer chip supply is to pay for repairs to keep a
“We just helped her out,” The blame can be traced has also driven new-vehi- 54%. gradually improving, prices current vehicle running as
he said. directly to the pandemic’s cle prices higher. The aver- Including taxes, fees, a paid by dealers at used vehi- long as possible. But even
As prices for used vehi- eruption in March 2020. age new vehicle, Edmunds. 10% down payment, and cle auctions kept rising that option can become
cles blow past any seemingly Auto plants suspended com says, is edging toward an interest rate of around through November, Paris prohibitively expensive.
MARKET RUNDOWN
q Thpursday,January6,2022 p
DOW 10-YRT-BOND GOLD
36,407.11-392.54 1.70%+.04 $1,824.60+10.60
36,960 DowJonesindustrials Commodities
36,180 Close:36,407.11 FUELS CLOSE PREV. YTD
Change:-392.54(-1.1%)
CrudeOil(bbl) 77.85 76.99 +3.51%
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37,600 UnleadedGas(gal) 2.29 2.28 +2.86%
METALS CLOSE PREV. YTD 75 Asylum St. | Hartford, CT 06103
36,800
Gold(oz) 1,824.60 1,814.00 -.16%
36,000 Silver(oz) 23.15 23.04 -.76% 860-525-2158 | www.CameraBar.com
(Previousandchangefiguresreflectcurrentcontract.)
35,200
ForeignExchange MoneyRates
34,400 ForExin U.S.$ PREV. PRINTING SERVICES
U.S.$ inForEx CLOSE WK.
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J A S O N D Britain 1.3560 .7375 Primerate 3.25 3.25
Canada .7840 1.2755 3-mo.T-Bill 0.09 0.05
DomesticIndexes China .1571 6.3644 6-mo.T-Bill 0.23 0.19 Large format
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StocksofLocalInterest
YTD YTD Film Processing
STOCK(TICKER) CLOSE CHG. %CHG STOCK(TICKER) CLOSE CHG. %CHG
AMCEntertainmentA(AMC) 22.75 -2.74 -16.4 LincolnNatlCorp(LNC) 70.91 -1.73 +3.9
AT&TInc(T) 26.21 +.57 +6.5 LucidGroupInc(LCID) 36.68 -2.73 -3.6
AdvMicroDev(AMD) 136.15 -8.27 -5.4 MGMResortsIntl(MGM) 43.04 -2.35 -4.1
AmericanAirlinesGp(AAL) 18.68 -.34 +4.0 MagellanHealthInc(MGLN) 94.99 ... ...
AmphenolCorp(APH) 85.12 -1.65 -2.7 MetenHoldingGroup(METX) .25 -.01 -2.0
AppleInc(AAPL) 174.92 -4.78 -1.5 MetLifeInc(MET) 64.63 -.31 +3.4
AvangridInc(AGR) 49.93 +.34 +.1
MicronTech(MU) 94.40 -1.94 +1.3
BankofAmerica(BAC) 47.18 -.81 +6.0
MicrosoftCorp(MSFT) 316.38 -12.63 -5.9
BarnesGroup(B) 47.92 -.36 +2.9 Color, Black & White
NikolaCorp(NKLA) 9.88 -.44 +.1
BookingHoldings(BKNG) 2413.30 -51.63 +.6
BristMyrSqb(BMY) 62.16 +.03 -.3 NovartisAG(NVS) 88.03 +.56 +.6
BTCSInc(BTCS) 4.36 +1.33 +38.9 NvidiaCorporation(NVDA) 276.04 -16.86 -6.1 processing, scanning
CVSHealthCorp(CVS) 105.81 +1.52 +2.6 OtisWorldwideCorp(OTIS) 83.83 -2.39 -3.7
CarnivalCorp(CCL) 21.17 -.56 +5.2 PalantirTechnol(PLTR) 16.96 -1.21 -6.9 and printing
CarrierGlobalCorp(CARR) 52.37 -1.45 -3.4 PeoplesUtdFncl(PBCT) 19.11 +.12 +7.2
CastlightHealthInc(CSLT) 2.03 +.39 +31.8 PfizerInc(PFE) 55.63 +1.10 -5.8
CharterCommunic(CHTR) 624.86 -15.91 -4.2 PitneyBowes(PBI) 6.62 -.17 -.2
CignaCorp(CI) 236.52 +3.22 +3.0 PrudentialFncl(PRU) 111.40 -2.31 +2.9
CiscoSyst(CSCO) 60.28 -.97 -4.9 PubSvcEntGp(PEG) 65.83 -.16 -1.3
Citigroup(C) 62.85 -.74 +4.1 RaytheonTechnolog(RTX) 89.57 -.45 +4.1
Cleveland-CliffsInc(CLF) 23.79 +1.17 +9.3
RobinhoodMarketsA(HOOD)15.98 -1.42 -10.0
ComcastCorpA(CMCSA) 50.22 +.03 -.2 Printing from Cell phones
RogersCorp(ROG) 273.20 +.19 +.1
ContextLogicInc(WISH) 2.79 -.25 -10.3
SS&CTechnlogies(SSNC) 82.26 -.70 +.3
DataStorageCorp(DTST) 4.13 +1.03 +35.0
SoFiTechnologies(SOFI) 14.10 -.95 -10.8
DenisonMines(DNN) 1.58 +.07 +15.3
DiDiGlobalInc(DIDI) 5.02 +.02 +.8 StanleyBlack&Deck(SWK)191.36 -.82 +1.5
Disney(DIS) 155.19 -.54 +.2 StarwoodPropTrust(STWD) 24.85 -.12 +2.3
EMCORGroupInc(EME) 127.10 -2.91 -.2 SundialGrowersInc(SNDL) .61 -.03 +5.9
EthanAllen(ETD) 26.44 -.58 +.6 TerexCorp(TEX) 45.03 -1.40 +2.5 Digital Camera printing
EversourceEnergy(ES) 89.23 +.84 -1.9 TeslaInc(TSLA) 1088.12 -61.47 +3.0
ExxonMobilCorp(XOM) 66.75 +.82 +9.1 TilrayInc(TLRY) 6.63 -.48 -5.7
FordMotor(F) 23.66 -.65 +13.9 TravelersCos(TRV) 159.77 +.77 +2.1
FuelCellEnergy(FCEL) 5.32 -.56 +2.3 UberTechnologies(UBER) 43.24 -1.18 +3.1
GenDynamics(GD) 210.31 -1.74 +.9 UnitedRentals(URI) 335.02 -12.07 +.8
GenElectric(GE) 99.37 ... +5.2 UnitedHealthGroup(UNH) 489.69 -1.21 -2.5
GeneralMotorsCo(GM) 62.74 -3.00 +7.0
VerizonComm(VZ) 54.02 +.55 +4.0
GrabHoldingsLtdA(GRAB) 6.90 -.39 -3.2 VirtusInvest(VRTS) 286.25 -10.25 -3.7 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm
HartfordFnSv(HIG) 70.36 -.47 +1.9
VoyaFinancial(VOYA) 70.83 +.42 +6.8
HoneywellIntl(HON) 211.06 +2.06 +1.2
HorizonTechFin(HRZN) 15.87 -.25 -.3 WebsterFinancial(WBS) 59.35 -.16 +6.3 Sat 10am-2pm
ImmixBiopharmaInc(IMMX) 6.75 +.26 +89.6 WellsFargo&Co(WFC) 52.29 -.46 +9.0
InfosysLtd(INFY) 24.30 -.81 -4.0 WhiteMtnsInsur(WTM) 1019.00 +7.48 +.5
IntelCorp(INTC) 53.87 +.73 +4.6 WorldWrestlingEnt(WWE) 48.67 -1.85 -1.4
Kaman(KAMN) 44.59 -.21 +3.3 XPOLogisticsInc(XPO) 72.77 -3.36 -6.0
Keycorp(KEY) 24.67 -.15 +6.7 XeroxHoldingsCorp(XRX) 23.33 -.43 +3.0
10 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Thursday, January 6, 2022
OPINION
Helen Bennett
Executive Editor
[email protected]
COURANT.COM/OPINION
I was in the House chamber when the rioters stormed the Capitol. One year later, the
Republican Party has learned from the failed coup and is working for its eventual success.
One year ago, rioters broke windows and breached the Capitol building in an attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. LEV RADIN/PACIFIC PRESS
DEMOCRACY STILL
UNDER ATTACK
By Jim Himes four years of fawning loyalty to Donald Trump, chose national dialogue. It also guarantees that the violence I
O democracy over the orders of his boss. Equally crucially, saw on Jan. 6 at the Capitol will be more severe and wide-
ne year ago, I huddled in a corner ground-level functionaries like Brad Raffensperger, spread next time.
of the House of Representatives Georgia’s Secretary of State, did their jobs faithfully, even, Finally, the American right continues to bludgeon our
behind Capitol Police officers in Raffensperger’s case, when asked directly by Trump to capacity for moral discernment.
with their weapons pointed at the “find 11,780 votes.” Thus, a coordinated presidential attack on our democ-
crumbling door to the chamber. Here’s the problem. The GOP, minus a few remarkably racy is equated with vandalism in Portland. Every criti-
We could hear the shouted obscen- courageous people like my colleagues Liz Cheney and cism of Donald Trump’s coup is blunted in a fog of “what
ities and the mayhem beyond. We Adam Kinzinger, has learned from the failed coup, and is abouts?” Every intemperate statement by a Democratic
had heard the gunshot which working for its eventual success. This effort takes several backbencher is used to dilute the unique horror of
killed an assailant. The images of that day are a scar on forms, and it is important that we recognize each of them. Trump’s attack on our system. All of this is about dulling
our history, and an continuing indictment of a president First, swing states with Republican legislatures are our ability to discern mortal danger from the recur-
who fomented the first violent attack on a peaceful tran- working to solve the Brad Raffensperger problem. In rent annoyances of a frothing democracy, to lull us into
sition of American power. Georgia, the partisan legislature empowered the State confused complacency.
For all of the attention the events of Jan. 6 will get, Election Board, which it controls, to override vote counts Countering this continuing attack on our democracy
they are not how our democracy ends. Today, they feel in any jurisdiction. In Arizona and Missouri, legislatures requires that we see these things for what they are and
to me like a distraction from the slow but continuing are seeking explicit authority to appoint presidential for where they lead. We must resist these efforts wher-
extinguishment of our democracy in state legislatures, electors without reference to the actual vote count. Next ever they are made. We must demand that Republicans
congressional offices and the production rooms of right- time, the role of election officials will be played by parti- find the courage of the Kinzingers and Cheneys to put
wing media outlets. Our democracy is ending not with a san legislators. All of this is being undertaken under the our democracy before their near-term political ambi-
Viking-horned bang, but with a bureaucratic whimper. guise of addressing widespread voter fraud, a problem tions. They, and we all, must take comfort in the fact that
My colleagues on the Jan. 6 select committee are which simply does not exist. attacks on our democracy like the Civil War or the depre-
uncovering the lurid details of the coup attempt. That Second, Donald Trump and his enablers continue dations of Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s are ultimately
effort hinged on the creation of enough uncertainty and to promote the lie that the election was stolen. Polling condemned in the court of American history.
chaos to stop the Congress from certifying the electoral consistently indicates that more than half of Republicans As much as I am grateful to them, American democ-
vote count. Either Vice President Mike Pence would believe that Trump is the legitimate President, despite racy was not saved by the Capitol Police on Jan. 6. It was
simply end the process or Republican lawmakers would the absence of any evidence that this is true. The willing- saved by the courage of a handful of real patriots laboring
create enough opposition to throw the vote to the House ness of a great mass of people to believe the leader rather in election offices. It was saved because our courts, much
of Representatives or to state legislatures to select new than the evidence is an authoritarian holy grail. The great of the media and a majority of Americans could see the
electors. Either way, Donald Trump, the clear loser of the mass of Republicans, including most of my colleagues, outlines of the coup through the fog of lies. It was saved
election, would remain in power, and American democ- who can’t call out the Big Lie for what it is are complicit because the violence was limited to the square mile in
racy would be finished. in its zombielike survival. which I sat.
The plan didn’t fail because marauders were forced Third, the American right is now fetishizing violence. Next time, soon, none of those things may be true
from the Capitol. It failed because of the courage of a Christmas cards featuring heavily armed families, talk of
handful of largely Republican officials who refused to “national divorce” and the constant use of the language Jim Himes is the U.S. representative for the
participate in the coup. Most notably, Mike Pence, after of war diminishes the role of reason and compromise in 4th Congressional District in Connecticut.
As omicron threatens hospitals, it is time to discuss triage
By Andreas Kluth have done us a favor by starting an overdue neously make sense in the real world, rather on previous behavior. Otherwise, doctors
Bloomberg Opinion debate. They brought a case to the consti- than just causing new problems. would set precedents that could in time lead
tutional court in Karlsruhe, arguing that As the discussions heat up, some pundits to a new debates about whose life is worth
At some point after he became chief during triage situations they risked discrim- are already demanding making triage more living.
surgeon in Napoleon’s army, Dominique ination, and therefore death. That’s because fair overall. There’s danger in that goal. We The German parliament and other legis-
Jean Larrey started walking across blood- they suffer from disabilities. One, aged 30, can’t agree on what’s “fair” even in other latures should therefore clarify that the
soaked battlefields to pick out those among had a stroke just after birth and can’t walk, policy areas, such as taxation, and certainly allocation of scarce medical care must be
the wounded who could still be saved, stand or speak. Others have atrophied spinal won’t in this context. based solely on the merits of each individual
usually by instant amputation of limbs. In muscles that complicate breathing. The Start with this hottest potato — how case and the relative likelihood of success,
time, he developed a system of sorting and oldest is a septuagenarian who has heart doctors should treat unvaccinated patients always with the goal of maximizing lives
separating — trier in French — the casualties. disease and diabetes. in triage. Almost nine in 10 of those hospi- saved. Only medical staff can make these
Ignoring rank and nationality, he considered Under existing guidelines in Germany, talized in Germany with SARS-CoV-2 are decisions.
only those who had the greatest chance of issued by a medical association, disabilities people who haven’t had their shots. If they But to ensure that even under pressure
surviving. His method became known as should in theory be irrelevant during triage had all been inoculated, intensive care units and ambiguity no discrimination takes
triage. — as is the case with age, sex or ethnicity. would never have come under such pressure place, parliament could require doctors to
In worst-case scenarios, triage is now The only thing that matters is whether one and there wouldn’t be a need for triage at all. seek additional and independent opinions
accepted almost universally as necessary and individual patient in a specific situation with To some people, this suggests that vacci- — perhaps from a medical board that can be
justified. And yet, the idea still rests on an act a specific ailment stands a better chance of nated patients, other things being equal, contacted around the clock. This would add
of cruelty — cruel both to a victim and to the being saved than another. should get dibs, and the unvaccinated bureaucracy, but might prevent some bad
doctor having to make the decision. It often In practice, however, doctors under pres- should wait for beds. Martin Hoffmann, a calls. That leaves the thorny issue of those
necessitates allowing one human being to sure are apt to view the frailties of disabled philosophy professor, emphasizes that this unwilling to get vaccinated. Triage is not the
die in order to ration the care that might let people as “comorbidities,” and thus relevant. wouldn’t be about “punishing” the unvac- place to deal with it. But society is justified
another live. Nancy Poser, one of the plaintiffs, explained cinated. It would simply take into account in trying to prevent the worst-case scenarios
The current pandemic is a worst-case the situation this way: If she had a heart that the vaccinated have already taken an that lead to triage in the first place. Provided
scenario. On-and-off for almost two years, attack and showed up in the hospital in her (admittedly tiny) risk — that of adverse reac- shots can be made available to all, democrat-
doctors and nurses in some places have had wheelchair, she’d get a worse triage score tion to the jab — to protect themselves and ically elected legislatures are therefore well
to make traumatizing choices about life than a smoker simultaneously arriving with others. The unvaccinated haven’t, and must within their rights to mandate vaccination.
and death. Sometimes they had too many COVID-19. He’d get a bed; she wouldn’t. She therefore accept more risk subsequently. Like every doctor, Larrey would have
COVID patients for too few ventilators; “would have to die, exactly that.” This logic may make intuitive sense, but preferred to treat every single victim on
other times too many with SARS-CoV-2 to Recently, the judges in Karlsruhe ruled intuition can be a bad guide to triage laws. the battlefield. Our overall goal in policy
be able to treat those dying from cancer or for the plaintiffs by requiring parliament to Any consideration of vaccination status, today must be to keep that option alive — by
other diseases. Now the omicron variant — swiftly pass legislation that will govern the like disability, would open Pandora’s box. making triage unnecessary wherever possi-
which appears to be somewhat milder but triage decisions to come. Ruling discrimi- Just as Larrey didn’t take rank into account, ble, so that doctors can care for all patients.
much more infectious — threatens to over- nation unconstitutional is the easy part, of medical staff must never mix quasi-moral
whelm hospitals yet again. course. The hard part will be enacting laws judgments into their decisions — that is, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency,
Against that backdrop, nine Germans that give doctors legal security and simulta- how “deserving” a patient may be, based LLC.