Monday, September 15, 2025

We Cannot Excuse Political Violence

Jennifer Rubin: We are grateful that Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin is in custody. We unreservedly denounce political violence and underscore that speakers, no matter their viewpoint, should never fear for their lives. Nevertheless, we refuse to pull our punches when it comes to Donald Trump, MAGA rhetoric, and the billionaire-owned media's coverage of both.

Posted by retort at 09:56 AM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink

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Too many journalists seem to find it impossible to acknowledge that Kirks's extremist views, conspiratorial rhetoric, overt racism, and election denial undermined democracy and that his assassination is abhorrent. (Creating a "watch list" to target certain professors hardly provides a model for civil debate.) We should not be cowed into silence about Kirk's views and reprehensible comments because we fear MAGA provocateurs' retribution or mischaracterization. Our democracy requires we defend all speakers, not that we ignore the difference between admirable and malignant messages.

Comments

As long as there are "Toxic speeches and Toxic sound bites, there will be problems"

#1 | Posted by bat4255 at 2025-09-15 10:03 AM

We unreservedly denounce political violence and underscore that speakers, no matter their viewpoint, should never fear for their lives. Nevertheless, we refuse to pull our punches when it comes to Donald Trump, MAGA rhetoric, and the billionaire-owned media's coverage of both.

Amen!

#2 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-09-15 10:09 AM

We Cannot Excuse Political Violence

Should go without saying. Only goes to show how degraded our politics have become.

Let's also not whitewash who and what people are.

People have the right to be vicious, bigoted, hateful people up until it becomes action against people.

#3 | Posted by jpw at 2025-09-15 10:14 AM

People have the right to "defend themselves".

Ask Israel. They get a total blank check on Murders and theft. All for their "Security".

Kirk was threatening whole demographic groups. He had political weight behind him.

The Regime is now Persecuting anyone who isn't heartbroken by his untimely death.

This will Escalate.

Prison Camps or Rendition of Citizens for Thoughtcrime or Unacceptable opinions?

I Wish that was Hyperbole.

SCOTUS will bless it.

Congress will differ to the Executive, as Usual.

Nobody's coming to stop this.

Buckle up and get ready for the Ride of your life.

#4 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-09-15 10:37 AM

Funny how all of you are coming up to and right at saying what is actually doing the violence and that's YOUR ideology.

A bunch of bullshit from leftwing sources.

Do something about YOUR people and the violence will stop.

#5 | Posted by boaz at 2025-09-15 10:45 AM

Kirk called for the execution of Joe Biden.

Dotard reposted a photo of a pickup truck graphic that looked like Biden tied up in the back.

Magats tried to run Kamala's bus off the road in 2020.

F off Bozo and your projection.

#6 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-09-15 10:54 AM

Hey boaz,

You're too terarded to know there was a school shooting the same day.

By this kid

www.theguardian.com

So f^*% off you stupid piece of s^*%.

#7 | Posted by jpw at 2025-09-15 11:13 AM

Even if what you assert is true Boaz.

People react violently at times to being Threatened.

Kirk was spouting Violent Rhetoric. He had credibility given his close ties to the Administration.

Trump is equally Stupid about his language.

Talk about hurting people long enough and loudly enough and people start to get the Message.

Some Crazies get the Message to "Shoot First, Shoot Straight, No Mercy".

MAGA is threatening everyone not completely with them.

Now they CRY when someone shoots back?

WTF.

They want this... Only the Wrong dude got Capped.

#8 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-09-15 11:26 AM

I say this with great sincerity. Bo@ss is an imbecile.

#9 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-09-15 11:33 AM

Getting free speech and access to guns was a little trick the founders played on us. Lawyers are the main beneficiaries. Somewhere, Madison is having a good laugh.

#10 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-09-15 11:37 AM

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