including — dates echo throughout history. including dates that instantly remind — including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them _ remind all who have lived through them where they were and what they were doing. when our democracy came under— were doing. when our democracy came under assault. were doing. when our democracy came underassault. dates were doing. when our democracy came under assault. dates that occupy not only a _ under assault. dates that occupy not only a place — under assault. dates that occupy not only a place on our calendar is but a place _ only a place on our calendar is but a place in — only a place on our calendar is but a place in our collective memory. december— a place in our collective memory. december the 7th 1941, a place in our collective memory. december the 7th1941, september 11 20,00i _ december the 7th1941, september 11 20,001. and january six, 2021. on that day, _ 20,001. and january six, 2021. on that day, i— 20,001. and january six, 2021. on that day, i was not only vice president—elect, i was also a united states— president—elect, i was also a united states senator. i was here at the capitoi— states senator. i was here at the capitol that morning at a classified hearing _ capitol that morning at a classified hearing with fellow members of the senate _ hearing with fellow members of the senate intelligence committee. hours latei’. _ senate intelligence committee. hours later, the _ senate intelligence committee. hours later, the gates of the capitol were breached — later, the gates of the capitol were breached i— later, the gates of the capitol were breached. i had left but my thoughts immediately turned out not only to