Battered by a president who stands accused of inciting mob rule and the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Republican Party looks for ways to press on in a post-Trump world, state Sen. Shannon Groves tweets (and then deletes) a conspiracy theory and a wounded country looks for grace

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication.

 * ... A PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE: The mob attack on the U.S. Capitol accomplished one thing that President Trump's critics and Democratic detractors would never do: it rendered the president impotent, a lone tragic figure holed up in the White House while his own vice president and members of his own party abandon him to

the judgment of history. There is talk of yet another impeachment or even invoking the 25th Amendment (reserved for removing a president who no longer has the capacity to lead) and while neither of those may come to pass, the events this week have left Trump permanently damaged. The question now: what will happen to the Republican Party? It is hard to imagine Trump retaining his position as head of the party once out of office, and the damaged, tattered GOP that he left behind will have to find a way to reinvent itself in the face of a nation that is rapidly changing. Look no further than Georgia, where analysts blame Trump for the heretofore unheard of possibility that a black pastor and a 33-year-old Jewish man who has never held office could be elected to the U.S. Senate in the conservative South. There will always be a role for conservative thought and representation in Congress, but it seems increasingly clear that the road taken by this president has led only to division, hate and now violence. 

 * ... QUISLINGS AMONG US? The term "Quisling" is reserved for those among us whose behavior is so extreme and unconscionable that it is considered traitorous. Named for Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian war-time leader who collaborated with the Nazis during World War II, it is not thrown around lightly but it is now being used to describe Republican law makers who have stood behind President Donald Trump even when his behavior and words have been beyond reproach. And now that the president is accused of inciting a riot and trying to illegally block the transition of power through mob force, it is not a charge to be taken lightly. And among those accused of collaborating with the president is our own Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader who has been unwavering in his support for the president. After the attack on the Capitol, many members of McCarthy's own party turned on the president, indicating they had experienced enough and would not longer continue to contest the election with unsubstantiated claims of fraud. To be sure McCarthy denounced the violence, but unlike other Republicans he continued to question the validity of the election, incurring sharp words from his critics. The Sacramento Bee called out McCarthy and other GOP members for "fomenting dissension," and his own message board was peppered with sharp criticism from those who believe it is long past the time when McCarthy needed to distance himself from the president. Not long ago President Trump referred to McCarthy as "my Kevin." It remains to be seen if that is a moniker McCarthy still wants to carry.

 * ... SHANNON GROVE: State Sen. Shannon Grove is wildly popular with her core constituency in her district, and she has spent years cultivating local contacts and positioning herself as a champion of the Red State of Kern County. But she is also drawn like a moth to flame by unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, and in the midst of the Wednesday chaos, she posted a Tweet implying that Antifa had infiltrated the Trump rally and was responsible for the violence. Although she later deleted the Tweet, this is not the first time Grove has latched on to conspiracy theories that expunge Trump and his supporters of blame. 

 * ... MEMORIES: Take a break from politics and check out this old picture of the Bakersfield Fire Department back in the day. 

Juicy Burger readies to expand to a second location and Californian Radio will host Rep. Shannon Grove to talk about our dysfunctional legislature

 * ... JUICY: One of our community's local success stories is the success enjoyed by the privately run Juicy Burger restaurant on 24th Street, open since November of 2010. It has created a large and loyal following and was awarded the "best burger" and "best new restaurant" by Californian readers its first year in business. The owners, Moe Mathuna and Justin Smith, also run the Dreyer's Ice Cream Parlor in the same complex. Now comes word the owners are expanding and will open a second location for both Juicy Burger and Dreyer's off Hageman and Calloway next month.

 * ... GRAPES: Did you know that California produces 99 percent of all the table grapes grown in the United States? And in California, Kern County is the top producer of table grapes? About a third of the grapes grown here are destined to export, to places like Canada, Mexico, China, Central America and Australia. I spent Sunday driving through the lush vineyards off Famoso Road and it looks like we'll have another rich harvest of the popular red seedless grapes. If you are new to town and have not experienced a leisurely drive through our vineyards, treat yourself to this amazing experience. (photo courtesy of A. Domingo)

 * ... GROVE: Tune into Californian Radio (KERN 1180) Monday at 9 a.m. to weigh in on several hot topic issues. I'll be chatting with Assemblywoman Shannon Grove about the dysfunctional state Legislature and its inability to find common ground. Last week the state Senate voted down a bill that Grove said would have "accelerated the cumbersome process of dismissing teachers that commit horrific actions upon school children." Said Grove:  “It is absolutely appalling that most Democrats are so beholden to the teachers union and their large political donations that they are not willing to make even the most obvious needed reforms in order to protect our children." She will be on the show at 9:15 a.m.

 * ... GUNS: Also for KERN 1180 Monday: What if you ran a sports store and Facebook would not let you advertise because it refuses to run ads featuring guns? That's just the case facing Gene Thome, the owner of Bear Mountain Sports on Weedpatch Highway. Gene will be coming on the radio Monday to share his frustration and talk about dove season and the gun business. (Gene Thome, left, in file photo)

* ... HONOR FLIGHT: The local group behind the "Honor Flights" that send aging veterans to our nation's capital is planning on hitting the streets to raise money on Thursday, Sept. 6. Organizers said they will be seeking donations in the morning at several locations to send more of our veterans to Washington, D.C., to view the war memorials.

* ... TAFT COLLEGE: Taft College is getting ready to celebrate its 90th birthday this week with what it calls a good, old fashioned party. It is all set for Thursday beginning at noon with a 90-inch cake cutting ceremony. Officials from the college, the Taft College Foundation and Cougar alumni and friends are invited. Alumni are asked to Contact Jan Ashley at jgarrattashley@gmail.com for more information.