Welcome to the Daily Article Podcast for Friday, June the 10th, 2022.

I'm Chris Elkins with the Denison Forum narrating today's article written by Dr. Jim

Denison.

The House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack held its first

prime time hearing last night. The committee showed visceral

footage from the attack, focused on former President Trump's demeanor and actions during

the riot, and included testimony from a Capitol police officer who was injured by the rioters.

The composition of the House committee is a significant part of the story.

The Wall Street Journal explains that no one offered an opposing view last night because

there were no advocates for Mr. Trump on the committee.

Here's why.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named the nine-member committee, including two Republicans

who have been critical of Mr. Trump.

She barred two Republicans supportive of Mr. Trump from the committee, so minority leader

Kevin McCarthy withdrew his other three selections in response. In the Senate, Republicans

blocked an earlier effort to create a bipartisan independent commission.

As a result, the commission's composition reflects the partisan divisions that have characterized our nation for many years.

For example, an NBC news poll conducted last month found that 45% of Americans thought Mr. Trump was solely or mainly responsible for the riot, while 55% said he was somewhat responsible or not really responsible.

Political scientist James Q. Wilson observed, and I quote,

there are only two restraints on behavior, morality, enforced by individual conscience or social rebuke, and law,

enforced by police and the courts. If society is to maintain a behavioral equilibrium,

any decline in the former must be matched by a rise in the latter, or vice versa. If familial

...