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Mary Ann N.'s avatar

Tragic that Sandy Hook did nothing to rock the nation like the killing of a young Nazi has.

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Sirin Kaslana's avatar

Exactly.

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Merry's avatar

I’ve always been a registered independent and a pacifist. And I condemn violence as a legitimate response in every situation.

But reporters, journalists, talking heads need to STOP calling this an assassination! That term elevates CK to a stature that he did not earn, and he does NOT deserve! It merely glorifies his hateful rhetoric and makes him look like a martyr.

Next trump will declare a national holiday in his name, insist that he lie in state in the congressional rotunda for seven days where trump will give a 3-hour eulogy, then be buried in Arlington Cemetery with full military honors. FFS

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Frank Kohl's avatar

A 3 hour eulogy of blathering nonsense since Drumpf is a motor mouthing babbling idiot, Merry.

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Martha Kenne's avatar

I just told my husband these very thoughts!

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Sep 13Edited
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Lady Emsworth's avatar

Pam is spam

reported

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Merry's avatar

Yep, thanks!

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Fran Sturgess's avatar

Except…Trump skipped over his death very quickly to call attention to the beginnings of construction of his (yes HIS) ballroom. So…water under the bridge, though JD put Charlie on AF2 to get him home. Maybe there will be the early Xian martyr on his beat.

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HarrisWalz FTW 2024's avatar

Yes, I saw that. How is it possible that this man is so clearly less together on his best days than Joe Biden on his worst days, yet his cult has no problem with him having the nuclear codes?

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N Tailor's avatar

He might have done all of the above, if a Democrat had been responsible, however, as it was another Republican, he's moved on, nothing to see here folks. Look how wonderful my ballroom is going to be.

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Merry's avatar

I totally agree. Yes, when trump saw who the shooter was and some of the videos and pictures of him, including his family history as well as his most recent political views, trump did an immediate 180. He quickly “moved on” to other topics, like his gawky, cringe-worthy ballroom”.

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Seeking Truth's avatar

Thank you!!!!! Exactly!!!

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HarrisWalz FTW 2024's avatar

I was thinking that the "lie in state" thing would be happening, too, and then I saw tonight on television that half a dozen or so NFL teams are going to honor him somehow?! wth?

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Merry's avatar

OMG - it’s true!

“NFL franchises, including the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals all held moments of silence or special recognitions. In baseball, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees paid tribute.”

“Five teams on Sunday opted not to hold a moment of silence or tribute for Kirk: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.”

And some people still claim that he isn’t being martyred. Geez…

https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/charlie-kirk-nfl-moment-of-silence/

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HarrisWalz FTW 2024's avatar

Beyond disgusting. Did they do this for Melissa and Mark Hortman, murdered in Minnesota? I highly doubt it.

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Merry's avatar

And you’re right. “The NFL did not officially honor the assassinations of Minnesota politician Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. However, the Minnesota Vikings chose to honor the Hortmans locally rather than participate in league-wide tributes for another high-profile assassination that occurred in September 2025.”

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Sirin Kaslana's avatar

Do you condemn using the graves of Nazis as public all-gender bathrooms?

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Merry's avatar

Well, that’s a leap. Why would you even ask me that question?

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JoanG's avatar

Because they’re a troll.

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Merry's avatar

Apparently

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Sirin Kaslana's avatar

Because it's non-violent

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Merry's avatar

I guess that depends on intent. In any case it’s a ridiculous question, particularly considering the context of this whole discussion.

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WJB Motown's avatar

Not at all........no stalls.....just open pits and rolls of paper.

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Ani Sweitzer's avatar

My sister and friends have attacked me for asking why the president has not addressed the CO school shooting that took place on the same day as Kirk's. I was attacked for saying that we must come together to have conversations to improve the safety of children when it comes to guns. I was attacked for saying that I was against violence and killing of anyone for any reason, but at the same time, I was having some conflicting feelings about him being gone since his influence brought so much violence against so many: women, LGBTQ, minorities, etc. Then, I was attacked for reminding them to refrain from speaking prematurely about the shooter and his political leanings or motives for his action. This has been a trying period of time in deciding on maintaining relationships with family and friends. What does one do in these cases?

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Trish's avatar

I'm sorry to say, but it sounds like you have terrible friends. I don't call people my friends that have such extremely different view points on life and justice than I do. It's just not a combination that makes for very good friends.

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Mary Ann N.'s avatar

Ani, as one who had and has difficulty with family respecting my personal beliefs, I can give you anecdotes. It’s not everyone’s ideal, but if there is a difference in morals I just don’t speak to the member about anything pertinent unless they speak first. Even then it’s just to give a reply. I know what I stand for and if they don’t like it, I have other ways of spending my efforts, time, and emotions. Over the years I have asked perfect strangers, when they bring up the subject, how they might handle a similar situation, every time they say it has been better to remove them from their life than take in the arrows and judgements. Live a happy life the way YOU curate it. Maybe it is time to let go of those who keep you in the nest for their own purposes. You can also let them know exactly this and if any future conversations go that way, you are out. You must mean it, or they will drag you back in. I guarantee it.

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Randi's avatar

Wise words, and so true.

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Marsha Woerner's avatar

Whether or not they're good friends, You're stuck with your family. Just silently bow out of any conversation regarding this! My father and I used to always get into huge arguments over pretty much all political situations, and then he and I just decided not to talk about it- I know his thoughts, he knows mine. The two of us can still have good conversations on different realms! (he died two years ago, and I can't say I miss him :(, but our conversations did become less fraught...)

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

You'd think he was JFK from the reaction.

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Frank Kohl's avatar

Has the country become so NUMB to gun violence since “ normalizing “ it, Merry? That’s sooo COLD 🥶 black 🖤hearted, apathetic, indifferent and callous that it just ANGERS me to the core ‼️

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Merry's avatar

I totally agree. Obviously the NRA has a tremendous grip on politicians, particularly on the right. It needs to STOP! And keeps getting worse. (We can thank SCOTUS and Citizens United for most of what’s happening now in America.)

There are literally now more guns than citizens in the USA! And Kirk actually said this:

On gun violence -

“I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”

– Event organized by TPUSA Faith, the religious arm of Kirk’s conservative group Turning Point USA, on 5 April 2023”

https://www.everytown.org/press/what-you-need-to-know-about-trump-and-the-nra-ahead-of-his-speech-at-the-convention/

https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=National+Rifle+Assn&tab=summary

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefs

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Ana warner's avatar

As John Pavlovitz said: they decry empathy as a weakness and a sin, but now the same people are demanding it from those they vilified for having h it.

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Seeking Truth's avatar

Thank you!!! Exactly!!!!

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Joanne Bowers's avatar

Wishing you and your family the best. We live in a very ugly world. Glad my parents and grandparents can’t see what is going on. Stay safe

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Suegrice's avatar

Agree

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Erik S's avatar

Just 2 months ago we had to Minnesotan lawmakers attacked. 1 killed, another seriously wounded. There was no outcry like this. This man said That some gun deaths are our penance for the god given right to own guns. Fate seems to have an ironical side.

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Seeking Truth's avatar

Actually 2 months ago we had four Minnesotan lawmakers attacked, a wife and husband killed, and their family members (in-laws, husband and wife seriously wounded). There was definitely no outcry from many of any on that side like this. The out cry came from democratic and independent parties. Trump waved off the reporters asking him for a response, if he was going to speak with the family, and if he was going to attend the funeral. You are right, stating "This man said That some gun deaths are our penance for the god given right to own guns. Fate seems to have an ironical side."

"Just 2 months ago we had to Minnesotan lawmakers attacked. 1 killed, another seriously wounded. There was no outcry like this. This man said That some gun deaths are our penance for the god given right to own guns. Fate seems to have an ironical side."

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Erik S's avatar

I don’t recall hearing about the 2 family members. Must have missed that on the nightly news.

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

And the dog.

Dog must have been a Democrat, too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_shootings_of_Minnesota_legislators

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michael  davis's avatar

Michael, thinking Trump will ever do the right thing is pure insanity.

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Scooter's avatar

Folks like Trump, and his regime, who feed on the hate, chaos, and fear created by greed, racism, and religious bigotry are not going to change.

I hope you can stay the course, Michael, your honest and forthright opinions are a beacon of light in these horribly dark times.

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BF's avatar

I think it's important to focus on what we know and state it succinctly:

A 22 year old, a white male skilled shooter & Nick Fuentes fanboy (aka groyper) murdered Kirk.

Correct?

Live by hate, die, accordingly -- irrespective of it not being a 'sword' because the instrument of death is just that, an instrument.

The disease that motivates its use is the issue.

When humans halt those who PROFIT by HATE the species will actually have evolved.

Current indications are that extinction is far more likely the outcome for our species.

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Paul's avatar

Greed is another terrible symptom that is destroying our country and the world. Another seemingly uncurable disease rotting the core foundations of society.

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Ana warner's avatar

Hang in there Michael. I appreciate your writing and your voice.

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Kathy Hughes's avatar

Sadly, I think MAGA just wants to stoke revenge.

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Allen Susan's avatar

Not an assassination, but a murder. He was not an elected leader, he was a private citizen. He was killed for his beliefs.

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vcragain's avatar

By a person who had mainly the same beliefs - so what exactly had Charlie proposed that this shooter didn't agree with ? It makes no sense to me ! Far too many young white males spending time with nothing positive in their heads ! Unless this was a shooting that was planned as a provocation to rile up the RW in their ambitions of a furious R/L war or merely a complete distraction from the Epstein 'problem' ? NOT successful as nobobdy has forgotten that issue !

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Rowan Rose's avatar

The shooter was a Groyper. They're rabid followers of Nick Fuentes, and they hate Charlie Kirk.

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Karen D's avatar

Yep! They don't think Kirk was extreme enough.

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Susan Raquel's avatar

Where did you find that Tyler was a Groyper? All I could find was that they "thought" he was one.

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Dik de Bruijn's avatar

The shooter may have agreed with everything Kirk said, including that deaths are necessary to preserve gun rights. Can't know what went on in his head so these are just guesses: trying to "help" Trump by getting the focus off Epstein, desire for fame, desire to stoke fury at Blues . . .

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Kathy Maas's avatar

Apparently Groypers are very Nazi-ish, and they hate Charlie Kirk because he made some pro-Israel remarks, and they hate Ben Shapiro because he's a Jew.

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Cheryl Thomas's avatar

If you'll look up the definition of assassination, you'll see that Charlie Kirk's murder does meet the definition.

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Allen Susan's avatar

I did. And you are correct. Thanks.

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Tracy May's avatar

I'd like to see the Republucan gun-toting parents who raised the murderer of Charlie Kirk step forward and call for all of this to stop.

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Teach84's avatar

I would like to see Kirk’s widow step forward and say the same.

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

Don't hold your breath. . .

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Shirley Faulkner's avatar

I would never want a child I raised to have a moment of believing this okay.✅

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Phil's avatar

Perhaps the parents of this shooter should also be arrested as co defendants...after all they reared him, they immersed him in gun culture..they are as much to blame - they are just as culpable

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Tracy May's avatar

That was my first angry response. And then I reconsidered. Arresting the parents will solve nothing. If they were to speak out and say they were WRONG to have raised a family this way, perhaps people will listen. Wishful thinking I know.

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Laura's avatar

He was not assassinated. He was shot and died from his wound.

Please don't elevate his death to assassination level.

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Merry's avatar

Exactly. Using the word “assassination” elevates him and his violent rhetoric to a level of martyrdom that he did not earn and does not deserve.

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Martha Kenne's avatar

Yep...he is being martyred for sure. Yep...he was shot, and he died from his wound. He should not have been shot, but it is what it is. Sorry if that sounds too calloused.

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Matthew McGraw's avatar

Very good understanding of the topic at hand. One thing I disagree with is the notion that we are still living in a Democracy. Sadly, we are not

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Robin Long's avatar

He was shot and killed. Much like the other what, hundred plus other people were the same day? Assassinated would proclaim he is a politician. He was a tick tock influencer who had strong connections with a lot of politicians. He was not one. So, let’s talk about the babies in schools, scared. To go, to play. To exist safely. Enough talk about this social media douche. Move on. Epstein files.

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Deborah Hemenway's avatar

Keep writing the truth. Like you I hoped this was a moment when those in power could get together and condemn political violence in all forms but instead those currently in power seek to increase the hateful rhetoric. Thank you for speaking up and out and it concerns me that our political discourse is in jeopardy because of the violence encouraged by the right.

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Martha Kenne's avatar

Michael, you do what is right for you. We, of course, want to hear from you....but if you step away for a bit for your own mental health, go for it.

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Sandra Wallace's avatar

We all need to step away for a moment.

Tomorrow is another day - a new opportunity to set things right.

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Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

Where Charlie Kirk Stood on Key Political Issues, New York Times, September 11, 2025; https://tinyurl.com/r8efnf9r

[*EDIT: see below*: Charlie Kirk in his own words: ‘prowling Blacks’ and ‘the great replacement strategy’ - The Guardian, September 11, 2025 - https://tinyurl.com/2ezvrzht]

• He was critical of gay and transgender rights and the separation of church and state.

• Mr. Kirk was a strong supporter of gun rights

• Mr. Kirk believed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a destructive force in American politics, calling its passage a “mistake” that he said has been turned into “an anti-white weapon.”

• He was a proponent of “replacement theory,” a once-fringe conspiracy theory positing that Jews are trying to replace white Americans with nonwhite immigrants.

• Mr. Kirk called Islam a danger to the United States, railing against what he saw as the religion’s “conquest values" that “seek to take over land and territory.”

• He also rejected the idea that climate change posed an existential threat to humanity, describing it as “complete gibberish, nonsense and balderdash”

And yet, the US Government undertook these event for this man:

• Lowered the White House flag to half-staff for non-government/military person?

• Used Air Force 2 used to transport his coffin from UT to AZ?

• Declared #47 will attend funeral of an influencer (but not the MN House Speaker)?

• Posthumously will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

• Described by #47 as a “truly Great American Patriot”?

And yet, as for these "truly Great American Patriots": Trump's anti-DEI purge is erasing these military legends https://tinyurl.com/4d9rwfwz

• Jackie Robinson

• Navajo Code Talkers

• 442nd Regimental Combat Team

• Harlem Hellfighters

• Indigenous Americans' contributions

• Tuskegee Airmen, WASPs

• Charles Calvin Rogers

National Parks Service Alters Webpages on Jim Crow, Slavery, and Harriet Tubman After Trump DEI Order https://tinyurl.com/2jzm25rz

Trump directive leads to U.S. Army’s removal of Medgar Evers, other Black veterans' accomplishments from portions of national cemetery website https://tinyurl.com/yhd6tjsb

The History They Fear Is the Truth We Carry https://tinyurl.com/43zj8ttx

>>>>>

[Charlie Kirk quotes from the inserted link to the Guardian article added above by EDIT]

ON RACE

If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, boy, I hope he’s qualified. If you’re a WNBA, pot-smoking, Black lesbian, do you get treated better than a United States marine? Happening all the time in urban America, prowling Blacks go around for fun to go target white people, that’s a fact. It’s happening more and more. If I’m dealing with somebody in customer service who’s a moronic Black woman, I wonder is she there because of her excellence, or is she there because of affirmative action?

If we would have said that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative action picks, we would have been called racists. Now they’re coming out and they’re saying it for us … You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person’s slot to go be taken somewhat seriously.

ON GENDER, FEMINISM AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge. We need to have a Nuremberg-style trial for every gender-affirming clinic doctor. We need it immediately.

ON GUN VIOLENCE

I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the second amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.

ON IMMIGRATION

The great replacement strategy, which is well under way every single day in our southern border, is a strategy to replace white rural America with something different.

ON ISLAM

Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America.

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Mia S.'s avatar

Beautiful post!! Thank you!!!

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Nova n Oz's avatar

In honor of Charlie Kirk, I refuse to have any empathy for the people mourning his death. Excellent post.

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Kelvin Hobbs's avatar

Erika Kirk speaks out after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, Scripps News Group, September 12, 2025 https://tinyurl.com/3ncc5d65

"Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, made her first public comments on Friday after he was shot and killed on Wednesday. "He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband," Erika Kirk said. "My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children.""

* * * * *

[The incongruence between her description of her husband as she perceived him and the hateful bile that spewed from his lips under a false cloak of legitimacy are irreconcilable]

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