I read this post in Moderate Voice and wanted to share it with the IST readers….
I don’t wish death on anyone. I’ve scolded more than one friend for posting in my comments on Facebook death wishes for Donald Trump. I don’t do that, and I don’t think liberals or Democrats should do it either. Let the other side be vile. Half of the reason I don’t want political opponents dead is that I don’t wish bad things to anyone. ANYONE. The other reason is that MAGAts would martyr the hell out of it if something happened.
When someone, a Republican, shot at Trump at one of his hate rallies, it pissed me off. When a man with a gun was found waiting to shoot Trump at one of his shitty golf resorts, it pissed me off again. I was shouting at my TV, “You’re hurting us more than helping, f—ers!” Violence leads to more violence. This was followed by the murder of Democratic state legislators in Minnesota.
I don’t wish bad crap to happen to bad people, but when it does, I don’t go all thoughts-and-prayers about it. Even if I did care about those people, I know that thoughts and prayers don’t work. Even when their own are murdered by guns, the thoughts-and-prayers crowd never tries to find solutions other than suggesting stupid ideas like giving teachers guns.
Then to give another side to this story….
There are so many words and cliches condemning the killing of Charles James Kirk, and none of the refrains are unique. “We need to dial back our discourse”, “we need to be tolerant of different opinions,” and “there is no room in American politics for political violence.” Are people blind to the realities that have been swirling all around us? The language has been violent. The discord has been great. There has been a consistent invitation to dine at the table of heated racist discussion posing as legitimate political speech.
The killing of Charlie Kirk fits within this arena of speech that is racist and hate-filled, but is designed to pose as rational and logical political speech. In his rhetoric and so-called debate style this 31-year-old evangelical firebrand of the right has stated that Black pilots were incompetent, Gays should be stoned, ironically he was opposed to gun control, abortion, LGBTQ rights, criticized the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Martin Luther King Jr., promoted Christian nationalism, advanced COVID-19 misinformation, made false claims of electoral fraud in 2020, and is a proponent of the Great Replacement conspiracy theory.
Words have consequences….while I do not condone this type of political expression I do see how we got to this spot in our history.
There is only so much hate that can be passed around before someone takes some sort of misguided action.
I will mourn but not for this guy…..I mourn for what has become of my country that use to be called ‘the beacon of freedom’.
This will probably be my last post on this incident unless something earth shaking comes out.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Hehehe.. have to be a Boomer to appreciate the title.
I liked it. chuq
I appreciate your post … and agree that the incident needs no more attention (it is receiving more than enough elsewhere). However, one must admit that it’s just one more example of the anger that “politics” can engender.
True and Donny is keeping those fires burning with his rhetoric….chuq
Thanx chuq
Yes, we should pray that those who are destroying our country enjoy good success, abundant health and prosperity and unlimited blessings. That is the Christian thing to do. And I am a Christian and that is what I am doing.
You are a good person….not me I just cannot forgive what is being done in the name of (whoever)…..chuq
The alleged gunman was a straight, white, gun owning Republican from a gun owning Republican family….. despite the first thing our no-so-great leader was blame the “radical left.” No one deserves to be murdered for exercising their freedom of speech. We are not having the right conversations that lead to any sort of understanding.
Thanx for the comment Andrew and nice to see you again……I believe that you are right…..this is finger pointing and political jingoism…..chuq
That the US has turned into this is tragic and even horrific. The leading cause of death for children in this country is being shot. 46.728 people in this country were shot to death in 2023. I don’t have data for 2024 yet. As soon as a politician or celebrity opens their mouths to express an opinion about anything it seems, their social media accounts are flooded with threats of death and rape against them and their families. We’ve turned into a society where rage and hatred have taken the place of empathy and sympathy.
GF well said….chuq
This piece powerfully highlights the dangerous consequences of toxic political rhetoric. The authors frustration resonates deeply, and their call for accountability feels urgent. Its a stark reminder of how far our discourse has strayed.Athletics