Thanks as always for composing such a deeply truthful piece that illustrates our common dreams and eschews temptation to sink to lower reasoning. I never know how you arrive in these places, and stick to it long enough to see a thought to its wholesome end.
Thank you Helen. What a profoundly depressing time we are living in. The reactions of X are even more depressing. I don't know how we restore sanity, but we must try.
I'll absolutely agree that this should not be an excuse to make this an issue of ''the left'' as a whole. I think it has been clear for a long time for many that there is a small, insane portion of the left (as there is in the right) from whom these things come from. The idea that "words are violence" (as many who are justifying this seem to believe) is profoundly despicable. That someone could be so unbelievably weak and pathetic that they believe words they don't like are the same as actual violence is baffling. And this isn't exclusive to the left by any means, even if the slogan might be.
At some point, when a movement tells us again and again that they are not willing to engage in conversation and that they are not only willing but eager to use violence as a response, we should probably listen. If you insist that that's the only language you speak, you won't find a lot of sympathy when someone speaks back.
As you put it: "The person who took away that right by taking away a young man’s life is the enemy of us all". and I would emphasize "enemy". Not opponent. Not adversary. Enemy. Extending any form of good will to people like that is idiotic and suicidal. I understand this makes it even more important to not generalize to broad categories.
Helen, as someone strongly identified with conservative positions, I subscribe to a number of blogs to hear opposing views. I was sickened at one yesterday, shortly after Charlie's murder (assassination?) that had an"it's wrong, BUT...BOTH SIDES...etc." tone. My hope was that the author couldn't sleep last night for shame at what he wrote, even though his wasn't the gleeful chortling of others.
Thank you for articulating your views that can actually be helpful. It soothed my soul to read your words this morning.
I’ve seen some left leaning people I’m friends with on Facebook condemn the murder (in some cases with caveats, pointing comments Kirk had made about some deaths being the cost of the right to bear arms and not having sympathy for people). What really gets me are the ones who are condemning political violence today but were perfectly fine with the “punch a Nazi” trend from a few years ago, or political violence in form of protests that set fire to cities in 2020.
I just watched BBC News, who gathered together their idea of progressive youth to discuss the killing (literally blue hairs), and their big topic of conversation was whether the killing was justified.
I didn’t think my opinion of the BBC could sink any lower, but once again they have proven me wrong.
It's difficult. Violent posturing seems to have become normalised in the "woke" circles. I've watched this evolve in real time on social media amongst perfectly normal otherwise nice people. I can't fight them all. It's tempting to treat it as a social contagion and back away.
You always thread this needle so well. I hope that people will hear your message.
Thanks as always for composing such a deeply truthful piece that illustrates our common dreams and eschews temptation to sink to lower reasoning. I never know how you arrive in these places, and stick to it long enough to see a thought to its wholesome end.
Thank you Helen. What a profoundly depressing time we are living in. The reactions of X are even more depressing. I don't know how we restore sanity, but we must try.
I'll absolutely agree that this should not be an excuse to make this an issue of ''the left'' as a whole. I think it has been clear for a long time for many that there is a small, insane portion of the left (as there is in the right) from whom these things come from. The idea that "words are violence" (as many who are justifying this seem to believe) is profoundly despicable. That someone could be so unbelievably weak and pathetic that they believe words they don't like are the same as actual violence is baffling. And this isn't exclusive to the left by any means, even if the slogan might be.
At some point, when a movement tells us again and again that they are not willing to engage in conversation and that they are not only willing but eager to use violence as a response, we should probably listen. If you insist that that's the only language you speak, you won't find a lot of sympathy when someone speaks back.
As you put it: "The person who took away that right by taking away a young man’s life is the enemy of us all". and I would emphasize "enemy". Not opponent. Not adversary. Enemy. Extending any form of good will to people like that is idiotic and suicidal. I understand this makes it even more important to not generalize to broad categories.
Helen, as someone strongly identified with conservative positions, I subscribe to a number of blogs to hear opposing views. I was sickened at one yesterday, shortly after Charlie's murder (assassination?) that had an"it's wrong, BUT...BOTH SIDES...etc." tone. My hope was that the author couldn't sleep last night for shame at what he wrote, even though his wasn't the gleeful chortling of others.
Thank you for articulating your views that can actually be helpful. It soothed my soul to read your words this morning.
Reading the comments on BuzzFeed was profoundly depressing.
Great essay.
Thank you for this. Really.
I’ve seen some left leaning people I’m friends with on Facebook condemn the murder (in some cases with caveats, pointing comments Kirk had made about some deaths being the cost of the right to bear arms and not having sympathy for people). What really gets me are the ones who are condemning political violence today but were perfectly fine with the “punch a Nazi” trend from a few years ago, or political violence in form of protests that set fire to cities in 2020.
There’s hypocrisy to be found everywhere on this.
I just watched BBC News, who gathered together their idea of progressive youth to discuss the killing (literally blue hairs), and their big topic of conversation was whether the killing was justified.
I didn’t think my opinion of the BBC could sink any lower, but once again they have proven me wrong.
It's difficult. Violent posturing seems to have become normalised in the "woke" circles. I've watched this evolve in real time on social media amongst perfectly normal otherwise nice people. I can't fight them all. It's tempting to treat it as a social contagion and back away.
Thank you Helen.
Thank you.