THIS IS WHAT BEING A PATRIOT MEANS

Portrait of an actual American patriot, doing the right thing when it is the hardest thing. A man giving up everything he had going for him, for the truth:

Statement of Adam Kinzinger on accepting Speaker Pelosi's request that he serve on the House Select Committee to investigate the 1/6 insurrection:

“Self-governance requires accountability and responsibility. My faith requires the same of me, truth is necessary for order, and that’s what I will do. Let me be clear, I’m a Republican dedicated to conservative values, but I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution—and while this is not the position I expected to be in or sought out, when duty calls, I will always answer.

“This moment requires a serious, clear-eyed, non-partisan approach. We are duty-bound to conduct a full investigation on the worst attack on the Capitol since 1814 and to make sure it can never happen again.

“Today, I was asked by the Speaker to serve on the House Select Committee to Investigate January 6th and I humbly accepted. I will work diligently to ensure we get to the truth and hold those responsible for the attack fully accountable.”

I can’t think of a political policy issue where Mr. Kinzinger and I agree, but on the point of defending the system that allows us to disagree without one of us risking prison, he and I are on the the same word of the same line of the same song on the same page of the hymnal. This is the kind of “opponent” I remember - someone I disagree with, who it’s impossible not to respect.