How bad can it get?

I admit I did not know much about Charlie Kirk before I learned of his shooting and death two days ago. I do not follow conservative voices because I do not agree with their viewpoints.

But, since Kirk was assassinated I have seen quite a few videos of him at the rallies he held on college campuses, and when he spoke publicly on TV and at other events. I did not seek them out. They popped up on my Facebook and Instagram feeds.

This is my opinion on what I have watched on these videos: Charlie Kirk spoke with an attitude. He was not laid back at all. In fact, he often interrupted people as they asked a question. He then went off on a short sermon about whatever the topic. His style was rash. While I watched him I felt he was condescending. He pounced. I am sure those who are conservative and watch disagree with me because they liked what he said and did. They liked that he pushed back.

His ‘thing’ was to have young people come up and ask him questions on issues. To debate. But, the videos I watched did not show debate. They showed him being aggressive and he was an expert at ‘ just keep talking’ and control the conversation.

As I have now been listening to Charlie Kirk, I understand why he was so controversial. I watched as he laughed at college students, especially females, who were pursuing degrees he did not believe in. He told females that they should have families first, before having careers. He even told some they were wasting time and money getting a higher education degree.

Again, I saw this watching him – listening to his own words. Watching his own actions and mannerisms.

And, watching him I saw a bit of a young Trump. He had the ability to say anything, with confidence, with a pompous attitude. He had a ‘stare you down’ look. He laughed – but often ‘at’ someone, not with them.

Ok. Listen – he should NEVER NEVER NEVER have been shot and killed. NEVER. I am a pacifist and I believe that any kind of violence is wrong. I believe in turning the cheek and walking away. And – I want to do anything possible to stop all this gun violence in America. I have written about it over and over. Yesterday I watched a video of Charlie saying there will unfortunately be gun deaths in the US, something that we have to accept, because he did not want gun safety changes at all. The irony of his death by a gun is obvious.

I am a feminist. So, I did not like what he said about women. I have not deep dived into other videos, other messages he gave, but since he was a conservative I am guessing he did not believe in a woman’s right to choose. Some women may be fine with what he said. But, I am not. As a mother and grandmother of females, I did not agree with the limitations he wanted for women.

I am extremely sorry about his death. For his wife and children, and other family members, I mourn. What happened Wednesday, his assassination, is the latest of a horrible trend happening in our country. Yes, Kirk was brash, but he had the right to be that way without fearing for his life. In America the freedom of speech is a right. Nobody should fear violence for speaking out.

Yet, the rhetoric over the past ten years has gotten vile, and as I have always said: words matter. The escalation of demeaning language, of name calling, and of narcissistic ‘only me’ attitudes, has brought us here. We should not be surprised. Too many have been allowed, and accept, the nastiness that is spewed. We are seeing the results of it now.

I just saw on TV right now that the shooter has been identified and caught. A press conference will happen shortly. Whoever he turns out to be, he is an unstable person. Someone who reached for a gun – instead of being rational, and getting help, he let hate take over. We can’t forget that. He will face the consequences, by the laws of our land. Thank God we have a justice system. I hope we keep it. I worry about that too.

I will end with this: my BFF and I were crying together over the phone right after Trump’s second Inauguration, and she said she could not even imagine how bad it will get. In my mind at the time I thought ‘oh she is being too emotional, too over the top about what will happen.’ I agree with her now.

How bad can it get??

I fear much worse.