Discussion » Questions » Current Events and News » Another political assassination. Can people just stop killing people over political disagreements?

Another political assassination. Can people just stop killing people over political disagreements?

This one killed Charlie Kirk. 

Posted - Wed at 4:41 PM

Responses


  • 11988
    In my lifetime,  just off the top of my head: JFK, RFK, MLK, Malcom X, Harvey Milk, Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were killed. Attempts were made on George Wallace, Gerald Ford (twice), Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump. I don't know who I might have left off the list and there were others before my time (Lincoln, for one).

    I wish it didn't happen, but I don't have a lot of hope that it will change.
      September 10, 2025 8:12 PM MDT
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  • 24159
    Agreed.
      September 11, 2025 6:36 AM MDT
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  • 4786
    The irony is that the conservative activist had just begun debating someone about mass shootings and gun violence.  Condolences to his family.
      September 11, 2025 7:03 AM MDT
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  • 11988
    And yet...
      September 11, 2025 7:05 AM MDT
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  • 4786
    Then his childfen shall one day honor the fact that their father died so they could kep their Second Amendment rights.  I'm sure that will be comforting to them.
      September 11, 2025 3:06 PM MDT
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  • 35620
    It is believed by some that was the cue question for the shooter. 

    Evil...people doing evil things. 
      September 11, 2025 10:05 AM MDT
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  • 4786
    I always say, "Be careful what you wish for."  I wonder if he would have felt the same way had his wife or one of his children been gunned down.  It's pretty easy to discount someone else's life.
      September 11, 2025 7:11 AM MDT
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  • 11988
    To be clear, I don't think gun control (which I am in favor of), will solve political violence. I have seen assassinations and attempted assassinations my whole life. It is not a new phenomenon in this political climate. I really don't know how we stop it.
      September 11, 2025 7:52 AM MDT
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  • 4786
    Well, we may never be able to completely end political violence, but gun control could possibly lower the number of attacks.  Gun control could certainly go a long way towards these school shooting and mass shootings.  
      September 11, 2025 8:50 AM MDT
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  • 11988
    True. I have been mulling over things that might help. Perhaps if schools taught critical thinking skills it would mean fewer radical nutjobs and conspiracy theorists. Perhaps teaching kids how to solve conflicts without violence or how to discuss issues and be able to learn from the discussion. I'm not talking about brainwashing kids, but rather equipping them with the skills to navigate life and coexist in relative peace. 
      September 11, 2025 9:08 AM MDT
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  • 4786
    Those are all good ideas.  However, growing up in the age of the Internet has been detrimental in many ways for kids now.  Some kids will do anything for "likes."  Others will do anything for notoriety and with the internet going 24/7, news gets around in moments.  
      September 11, 2025 9:25 AM MDT
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  • 35620
    Ironically,  teaching people to discuss their political disagreements was what Kirk did....

    I remember being taught in school: "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it."  That is not what is being taught today. 
     
      September 11, 2025 12:43 PM MDT
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  • 11971

    Well I don’t think we know if it was a political assassination yet. But the Trump team is already throwing out the red meat that will probably brew more political violence – so it will never stop.

     

    In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing on Wednesday, right-wing commentators and activists pledged to avenge the act of violence and called for payback in explicit statements blaming the left.
    Cheers!

      September 11, 2025 8:59 AM MDT
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  • 11988
      September 11, 2025 9:01 AM MDT
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  • 35620
    You are wrong. We cared, we called for the arrest. 
    Trump responded appropriately and gave more support to MN to find the shooter.  


    We support violent people being jailed/imprisoned/etc. Regardless of the party of the victim. We want a safe Amercia for everyone. 
      September 11, 2025 10:48 AM MDT
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  • 11988
    I stand corrected. Trump  (or likely his staff) issued a generic statement on X and allowed the standard (not extra) FBI assistance to be deployed. He responded live to reporters questions on the shooting - videos below.   I believe that was his final comment. His concern and compassion truly touched my heart. [Sarcasm] 

    This post was edited by Jane S at September 11, 2025 12:23 PM MDT
      September 11, 2025 12:03 PM MDT
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  • 35620
    I don't care that he did not call Walz.

    They got the shooter, so they got the support they needed. And he will be going to prison or worse (I would give worse) but that will be up to a judge. 

    And they will get the murderer of Kirk as well. 
      September 11, 2025 12:36 PM MDT
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  • 11988
    So Trump responded for these two Democrats, the same way he responded for Kirk, in your opinion? He didn't actively stop the FBI from doing the job they were supposed to do, so that's enough? There has been way more political violence aimed at the left and Trump is largely indifferent. 

    I edited to remove a link to an article on trumps despicable rhetoric.  This post was edited by Jane S at September 11, 2025 2:14 PM MDT
      September 11, 2025 2:05 PM MDT
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  • 35620
    We have differing opinions as to more violence or less towards each side of the aisle.  (No surprise there)

    No, Kirk is known to him personally. And a nationally known figure.  Of course, there was a stronger response to a person who he knew personally.   As it would be with anyone....

    That said he condemned both murderers. And thinks they violent murderers belong in prison (at minimum) 

    Not like some online and in the media etc who are literally celebrating a murder.  Some of those have already lost jobs etc over it.  
    This post was edited by my2cents at September 11, 2025 3:41 PM MDT
      September 11, 2025 3:36 PM MDT
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  • 11988
    I agree with that quote from Charlie Kirk.. Trump is using this death as another opportunity to demonize the Democratic party as are many other high ranking Republicans. Current and former Democratic officials have been respectful and non-political in their messages. 

    I have seen truly disturbing posts from the right including calls to declare the Democratic party a terrorist organization and all arrest Democratic leaders. So don't think all the nutjobs are only on one side. There is a difference between private citizens and elected officials , especially the president who makes no effort to bring the country together.
      
    My opinion of left vs right political violence is based on actual statistics, which I'm sure you won't find in the right-wing echo chamber where you get your news

    That's it for me, make the final comment, you know you can't resist. I doubt anyone will read it.
      September 11, 2025 5:51 PM MDT
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  • 35620
    The Dem party is the one celebrating a murder. And claiming it was his fault.  Rep Omar has not made respectful or non political comments. Neither have some in the media.   

    Politicians calling for violence in 2025:
     
    House Minority Leader @hakeemjeffries, D-N.Y., is being criticized by Republicans after pledging Democrats would fight President Donald Trump’s agenda ‘in the streets.’” – @Foxnews 1/31/25.
    “‘I think that you punch, I think you punch, I think you OK with punching… It’s Ted Cruz,’ (@RepJasmine Crockett) went on. ‘I mean, like this dude has to be knocked over the head, like hard, right?'” – @nypost 3/25/25.
    “‘Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner,‘ @GovTimWalz said to audience … ‘Maybe it’s time for us to be a little more fierce because we have to ferociously push back on this.'” – @nypost 6/16/25
    “‘Well, who cares about the f***ing rules right now? Punch back, kick back, dunk over their heads and win some f***ing power!’ @BetoORourke said.” – @dcexaminer 8/13/25
    “@GavinNewsom has threatened to ‘punch’ Donald Trump in the mouth” – @thedailybeast 8/20/25
      September 11, 2025 7:17 PM MDT
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  • 11971

    Yeah his compassion really shined in that second video. He only called Walz a whack job a couple of times – if he wasn't in such deep mourning he would of called Walz a whack job 20 or 30X.

    I don’t think Trump cares about the shooting – he just cares that it is a good distraction and a good way to brew hatred. Cheers!

      September 11, 2025 1:36 PM MDT
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  • 11988
    Trump actually did call Walz after the school shooting, so I don't know what changed. Could it be his supporters wouldn't want him to care if Democrat politicians were shot, but some of them care about children? 
      September 11, 2025 2:29 PM MDT
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  • 35620
    It was a political assassination. That is according to the police and the Gov of UT.  It was not random. It was planned. It was because Kirk was effective with young people.  And the rhetoric used by the left media/politicians.  When they say daily: He is Hitler, his supporters are NAZIs, white supremists, bigots, a threat to democracy etc etc is should not be a surprise that one or more of their supporters decide to "save the democracy." 

    This man was one of the most peaceful, he went to colleges and just talked to the students, he let the people with a different opinion speak their side and then he would say his etc. And they killed him for it. Because he was effective....
      September 11, 2025 10:15 AM MDT
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