I agree. "Political violence" is exactly what Trump wants and has always wanted. Given Trump’s close adherence to the tried-and-true fascist playbook, Kirk’s murder should, at the very least, raise some suspicion about its perfect "political" timing just when the Epstein debacle seriously threatened to undo the Trump presidency. Also, in view of Trump’s/MAGAs’ instantaneous politicization of this murder via completely unwarranted accusations and much-too-ready-made calls for reckoning and vengeance, this looks suspiciously like made-to-order timing to erase all concerns about the Trump/Epstein crimes, while perfectly setting the stage for Trump’s decisive military takeover of our country.
N.B. The perfect timing of : 1) Epstein’s “suicide” before he could testify, 2) Ivana’s “accidental fall” down the stairs, the day before she was to testify, 3) the phony “assassination attempt” before the election, 4) Charlie Kirk’s murder to distract attention from the Trump/Epstein crimes, while justifying Trump’s military takeover of our country.
Millions of us are right there with you in being concerned! At 72, I hope to live to see the day the country will come together and block the road to fascism we are headed down. To say I fear for my children and grandchildren’s future is a huge understatement!
An even more telling window on our national pot boiling is the behavior of the House of Representatives. When Johnson interrupted a House vote to call for a moment of silence, he got it. Immediately afterwards, Democrats and Republicans began yelling at each other about the incident.
Of course he escalates. He isn’t capable of peace keeping or compassion. He just wants to use every opportunity for leverage and destruction. That’s all he is, he isn’t complicated.
Thank you, Steven. I feel so weary even as I know it's not about me; it's about us and we must stay strong. You are a bright light inviting me to stay present.
Trump is a damaged, blighted human being, incapable of common decency. He is treating Kirk like an American hero with flags at half staff and the Medal of Freedom. Nonsensical.
I read this AM that he has changed his mind about sending the Nat’l Guard to Chicago.
"This was no oversight, nor some reckless mistake. This was an opportunity taken by Trump to escalate his war against liberals. At such an unsettling moment, his threats from our Oval Office were especially repugnant, albeit the latest iteration of his ongoing enterprise to build a police state and silence dissent."
Exactly, Steven. The fascist in the White House is out to consolidate all power by unleashing violence across the land.
We cannot allow our country to devolve into civil war and chaos at the behest of this monster. We HAVE to stop him. The next major protest - "No Kings Day 2" - is planned for Saturday, October 18. Let's work to ensure that there is a massive turnout, running into the multimillions.
I expect nothing less from Trump. He spews hate wherever he goes. What was his reaction to the murders of the Minnesota elected official and her husband and the almost death of two other people? What's that, Donald? I can't hear you.
Yes, and why does this event, and Trump and his supporters' reactions to it, seem so predictable? This is far-right accelerationist theory being triggered in real time. I fear, a year before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, that we're in serious trouble as a continuing democratic republic.
I live in Utah County where Charlie Kirk’s death occurred yesterday. After the shock to our nation and a particularly harsh reality for Utah residents to absorb, the rhetoric is monumental. Truth and reality will be tested by each of us.
Was this an assassination or a killing ? Both are being debated,
but we do not know if this was a “politically motivated assasination. Of course, either is still murder and will ultimately be decided by our justice system. Tragic.
Note: Utah has very permissive gun laws: no purchase permits,no gun registration, or waiting periods for those 21 +. Also, recently approved is the CFP ( conceal firearm permit) to openly carry on COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
Thank you for the information about guns and Utah. Americans' love affair with guns is truly appalling. Utah is a place we like to visit for it's natural beauty but I will think twice about going there now.
An assassination is the murder of a public figure. Charlie Kirk was a public figure. This was an assassination, a murder, and a killing, all three at once. Anyone who's debating either/or is playing with their toes.
I do hope residents of Utah and other anti-gun-control states will consider pushing for stronger gun-control measures. Meanwhile, I'm perversely grateful that this happened in deep-red Utah and not, say, my home state of Massachusetts. The "radical left" rhetoric is bad enough as it is, but if this had happened in MA, CA, or NY the vitriol would be far worse and potentially lethal.
A killing is the act of ending someone's life, and can occur for many reasons, while an assassination is a specific type of killing—the murder of a prominent public figure, typically a government leader, for political or ideological purposes. The key differentiator is the motive and the public prominence of the victim, which transforms a general act of killing into an assassination.
I understand the definition. There are several motives we can dismiss. For instance, it was not accidental, impulsive or random because it was targeted and there was planning. Unlikely to be a familial killing. Not many options remain that don’t involve a political connection. Perhaps notoriety but he’s hiding.
More importantly it’s very likely whether a motive is ever known in this case or not, in the public’s perceptions this will remain a political assassination & they will continue to react accordingly.
I am SO glad you’ve given voice to the abomination of this speech from someone who is supposed to be the president for all Americans. I was feeling the same way, yet I am so conflicted over the horror of the shooting of Charlie Kirk and the rage I feel when Trump turns this into a feeding frenzy for ‘his’ people, whom he calls the real Americans, the patriots, those who love our country, etc etc. These are desperate times, but they call for measured responses!
The felon is not capable of a measured response. His narcissism demands he call out anyone who doesn’t agree with him 100%.
The timing of this seems very fishy to me. Could this be a distraction from the possible release of the Epstein Files, and just another excuse for him to send troops to blue cities?
Thank you, Steven. You said exactly what needs to be said.
It is ironic, to say the least, perhaps even karmic, that Charlie Kirk lived and died by the gun. And it is a tragedy that Trump blames the “radical left“ for his assassination. Trump has done nothing but foment resentment, anger, violence, and revenge. This is how he’s lived his own life.
Calming things down and appealing to our better angels is not Trump style and also does not serve his purposes. This is a way for him to consolidate power and demonize the Democrats.
I see this as the beginning of the march toward martial law. Yes, I'm that concerned.
I agree. "Political violence" is exactly what Trump wants and has always wanted. Given Trump’s close adherence to the tried-and-true fascist playbook, Kirk’s murder should, at the very least, raise some suspicion about its perfect "political" timing just when the Epstein debacle seriously threatened to undo the Trump presidency. Also, in view of Trump’s/MAGAs’ instantaneous politicization of this murder via completely unwarranted accusations and much-too-ready-made calls for reckoning and vengeance, this looks suspiciously like made-to-order timing to erase all concerns about the Trump/Epstein crimes, while perfectly setting the stage for Trump’s decisive military takeover of our country.
N.B. The perfect timing of : 1) Epstein’s “suicide” before he could testify, 2) Ivana’s “accidental fall” down the stairs, the day before she was to testify, 3) the phony “assassination attempt” before the election, 4) Charlie Kirk’s murder to distract attention from the Trump/Epstein crimes, while justifying Trump’s military takeover of our country.
If only more 'Americans' were as concerned
Millions of us are right there with you in being concerned! At 72, I hope to live to see the day the country will come together and block the road to fascism we are headed down. To say I fear for my children and grandchildren’s future is a huge understatement!
Trump announced today he's sending the National Guard to Memphis. Looks like my prediction is coming true.
An even more telling window on our national pot boiling is the behavior of the House of Representatives. When Johnson interrupted a House vote to call for a moment of silence, he got it. Immediately afterwards, Democrats and Republicans began yelling at each other about the incident.
“A house divided cannot stand.”
Of course he escalates. He isn’t capable of peace keeping or compassion. He just wants to use every opportunity for leverage and destruction. That’s all he is, he isn’t complicated.
Thank you, Steven. I feel so weary even as I know it's not about me; it's about us and we must stay strong. You are a bright light inviting me to stay present.
Trump is a damaged, blighted human being, incapable of common decency. He is treating Kirk like an American hero with flags at half staff and the Medal of Freedom. Nonsensical.
I read this AM that he has changed his mind about sending the Nat’l Guard to Chicago.
"This was no oversight, nor some reckless mistake. This was an opportunity taken by Trump to escalate his war against liberals. At such an unsettling moment, his threats from our Oval Office were especially repugnant, albeit the latest iteration of his ongoing enterprise to build a police state and silence dissent."
Exactly, Steven. The fascist in the White House is out to consolidate all power by unleashing violence across the land.
We cannot allow our country to devolve into civil war and chaos at the behest of this monster. We HAVE to stop him. The next major protest - "No Kings Day 2" - is planned for Saturday, October 18. Let's work to ensure that there is a massive turnout, running into the multimillions.
I expect nothing less from Trump. He spews hate wherever he goes. What was his reaction to the murders of the Minnesota elected official and her husband and the almost death of two other people? What's that, Donald? I can't hear you.
Yes, and why does this event, and Trump and his supporters' reactions to it, seem so predictable? This is far-right accelerationist theory being triggered in real time. I fear, a year before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, that we're in serious trouble as a continuing democratic republic.
https://www.isdglobal.org/explainers/accelerationism/
Not so different from those who want a war in the Middle East to bring about or we could say “accelerate” the ‘end times’.
I couldn’t agree more.
I live in Utah County where Charlie Kirk’s death occurred yesterday. After the shock to our nation and a particularly harsh reality for Utah residents to absorb, the rhetoric is monumental. Truth and reality will be tested by each of us.
Was this an assassination or a killing ? Both are being debated,
but we do not know if this was a “politically motivated assasination. Of course, either is still murder and will ultimately be decided by our justice system. Tragic.
Note: Utah has very permissive gun laws: no purchase permits,no gun registration, or waiting periods for those 21 +. Also, recently approved is the CFP ( conceal firearm permit) to openly carry on COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
Thank you for the information about guns and Utah. Americans' love affair with guns is truly appalling. Utah is a place we like to visit for it's natural beauty but I will think twice about going there now.
An assassination is the murder of a public figure. Charlie Kirk was a public figure. This was an assassination, a murder, and a killing, all three at once. Anyone who's debating either/or is playing with their toes.
I do hope residents of Utah and other anti-gun-control states will consider pushing for stronger gun-control measures. Meanwhile, I'm perversely grateful that this happened in deep-red Utah and not, say, my home state of Massachusetts. The "radical left" rhetoric is bad enough as it is, but if this had happened in MA, CA, or NY the vitriol would be far worse and potentially lethal.
A killing is the act of ending someone's life, and can occur for many reasons, while an assassination is a specific type of killing—the murder of a prominent public figure, typically a government leader, for political or ideological purposes. The key differentiator is the motive and the public prominence of the victim, which transforms a general act of killing into an assassination.
And we do not know motive .
I understand the definition. There are several motives we can dismiss. For instance, it was not accidental, impulsive or random because it was targeted and there was planning. Unlikely to be a familial killing. Not many options remain that don’t involve a political connection. Perhaps notoriety but he’s hiding.
More importantly it’s very likely whether a motive is ever known in this case or not, in the public’s perceptions this will remain a political assassination & they will continue to react accordingly.
Perfectly expressed. Thank you.
I am SO glad you’ve given voice to the abomination of this speech from someone who is supposed to be the president for all Americans. I was feeling the same way, yet I am so conflicted over the horror of the shooting of Charlie Kirk and the rage I feel when Trump turns this into a feeding frenzy for ‘his’ people, whom he calls the real Americans, the patriots, those who love our country, etc etc. These are desperate times, but they call for measured responses!
The felon is not capable of a measured response. His narcissism demands he call out anyone who doesn’t agree with him 100%.
The timing of this seems very fishy to me. Could this be a distraction from the possible release of the Epstein Files, and just another excuse for him to send troops to blue cities?
Thank you, Steven. You said exactly what needs to be said.
It is ironic, to say the least, perhaps even karmic, that Charlie Kirk lived and died by the gun. And it is a tragedy that Trump blames the “radical left“ for his assassination. Trump has done nothing but foment resentment, anger, violence, and revenge. This is how he’s lived his own life.
So dangerous… I agree with Pete, his rhetoric is designed to bring us one step closer to martial law…
Calming things down and appealing to our better angels is not Trump style and also does not serve his purposes. This is a way for him to consolidate power and demonize the Democrats.
Well said Steven. When fear is what you know, then hate is what you sow.