This is something I do not have the answer to. One would assume some.
I do remain impressed by the depth of our tribal nature in all this. It's an act that if ideologies didn't align would have folks on this board calling for folks to be shot. But when they do, here we are.
(I find myself torn about what I think should happen to those folks. On one hand it is a house of the people, and if we can separate what it means from it just being an office building, probably fine to consider it just property. On the other, if you roll in with the threat of violence to stop the democratic process, I do take a dim view of that, and in a vacuum, most of society does as well)
this is where i tend to be as well. the tribal divide is kinda amazing, in a disturbing way. generally solid logical people have rationalized these events into something else simply due to their allegiances.
as for the rioters/protestors/insurrectionists/etc. i also tend to agree with what you said. for the vast majority, a misdemeanor with probation or very short jail sentence should suffice as enough of a deterrent. but for those with weapons (very few), zip ties, maps, riot/military gear, nooses, etc. they should be handled under the fullest extent of the law possible.
the crowd overall didn't have a coherent "plan". most were just following the crowd and things got out of hand.
but a select few most definitely had a plan. multiple different groups had very detailed plans. some even communicated and coordinated with each other, though quite poorly. and yes, that includes some of the politicians in the building and watching in a tent. and if we can't step back, evaluate facts, and admit that, then we're blinded by our tribal allegiances.
