Charlie Kirk is dead.
Just another senseless death by gun perpetrated by a mentally unstable young white man who had crazy, violent ideas.
According to Charlie Kirk, we should accept his murder as simply the price we must pay to preserve our second amendment rights. That is what he said, that is what he believed. I am sure that he never thought that he would be part of this price to pay.
Charlie Kirk had many ideas that were divisive. Basically, he seems to have wanted this country to be a Christian-based theocracy where women would be subservient to men, black people would be feared, homosexuality would be outlawed, Jewish and Islamic faiths would be closely monitored and controlled, and the Democratic Party would be considered to be an enemy of the state. Is this an accurate summation of Charlie Kirk’s message? Possibly.
In his mind, apparently, these changes to America would make this country great again.
Charlie Kirk believed in what he preached. This was his gospel. He welcomed debate and had a righteous conviction in what he espoused.
His death is sad, tragic, and pointless. His journey to find the truth was cut short. One can only assume that Charlie Kirk would have become more understanding of other people as he gained the perspective that comes with age. One cannot be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and not believe in the goodness of love and acceptance.
But no one talks about these things.
Instead, the blaming has begun.
Charlie Kirk’s own words and ideas caused his death? He got what he deserved? I don’t think so.
Liberals and Democrats created a hateful culture that encouraged his murder? I don’t think so.
I had an opportunity today to watch the 90 minute long interview/discussion between Governor Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk that occurred about six months ago. It was the type of discussion that we need more of in society. Both Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk listened to each other, and spoke to the points raised, without any personal attacks or animosity.
Gavin Newsom was direct, informative, and reasonable, as was Charlie Kirk. This interview/discussion showed both men in a very positive light.
Perhaps if Charlie Kirk’s murderer had seen this interview/discussion he would have not been so determined to end Charlie Kirk’s life. Charlie Kirk had great potential to be an impactful voice of conservative reason for a long time. Unfortunately, the Charlie Kirk of the Gavin Newsom interview/discussion does not seem to be the Charlie Kirk that appeared on university campuses, on the Charlie Kirk podcast, and on viral soundbites. This more public and widely seen Charlie Kirk was much more divisive and aggressive.
Based upon the Charlie Kirk that I saw speaking with Gavin Newsom, I do not think that Charlie Kirk would have wanted the outpouring of hate and blame towards liberals in general and Democrats in particular that is coming from conservative politicians and commentators. I do not think that he would have wanted people to be fired from their jobs for trying to make sense of this senseless tragedy. I do not think that he wanted to be turned into a martyr, or have his murder used as a litmus test for political correctness.
None of this inflammatory rhetoric will make this a better country and make us a better people. This rush to weaponize his murder is really disgusting. Everyone other than a few sick individuals believe that Charlie Kirk’s murder was a senseless and unnecessary act of violence, and great sympathy has been expressed for his wife and two young children.
To try to turn this into an eye-for-an-eye moment, to say that the liberal left has declared war on the conservative right, to do this a day after Charlie Kirk’s murder – this is such a shameful response.
Instead, this should be a time for us all to reflect on what our country has become, and to express our collective sorrow for this most recent victim of our hate-filled culture.