Commentary

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

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

Published

4 years ago

June 17, 2022

Oakland Post

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

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

By Emil Guillermo

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

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

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

I think they can.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let that be emblazoned in our collective heads.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s why we must pay attention.

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

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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March 22, 2026

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC