The difference between conspiracy theories and history is the ability of historical evidence to support history and refute those conspiracy theories which cannot be supported by the historical record. Unfortunately, it takes time for the full historical record to emerge as yesterday’s NY Times article demonstrates. What is ironic is that the party that has screamed the loudest about election fraud and a rigged political system is the same party that has perpetrated the fraud and rigged elections. It is also worth noting that the primary constituency of this party's base is white males who, perhaps, have never believed in a multi-racial, multi-gender democracy to begin with. As long as this group controlled the levers of power, they could support the quasi-democracy that has characterized American democracy from the beginning. But, now that their majority control is under seige, their true authoritarian colors are becoming more obvious. It is hard to hide behind the mask of patriotism, while embracing Putin, Orban, and other white supremacist authoritarians. We are STILL engaged in a great civil war testing whether this nation or any nation, conceived dedicated to the proposition of equality, can long endure. Since the 1860s hundreds of thousands have given their lives so that those nations might live. It is now up to up to us in 2023 to be dedicated to the cause which they so nobly gave their last full measure of devotion. Humanness transcends skin color, and although we are not blind to our differences, we must remember that as different as we are, we share a common humanity.