When there's a divisive person, no matter which party, has a world stage to promote unity, compassion and decency,yet, uses it to push hate and lies against others, it's difficult to come together and feel any sort of unity. It breeds distrust, anger, and hate. Even peaceful protests are in jeopardy. The pent-up anger from hearing daily vile rhetoric comes out in unacceptable behaviors..it has no where else to go. Never in my 70 years have I felt so helpless. My country is falling into a fascist dictatorship and I don't see an election being allowed. My first 18 years were lived on Air Force bases. My dad served 26 years. I was raised to respect authority, especially our president. These days, I struggle. Everything I've been taught has been ripped away. I can't accept those who promote or are involved with tearing down my country.
Nor should you accept that! Our Declaration of Independence (look it up) states that it is OUR RIGHT and - most importantly - OUR DUTY to throw out a wannabe tyrant who has made his intentions clear and has committed crimes to pursue his goal. >>> We the people should not stand for this!!! <<<
My dad was in the Navy for 30 years, a veteran of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. I am of a similar age as you and also feel like I am watching my country disintegrate before my eyes.
MJH55.....I agree with you! I believe trump is the cause of so much hatred in the country. Everything he says on a daily basis is hatred towards to democrats, the media, anyone who disagrees with him or speaks the truth. Until he is silenced nothing will change it will only get worse.
That denigration and demonization of others clearly and vociferously demonstrates his hate for that category of folks. HE (trump) is the most significant cause of the current state of our union! Unfortunately, he is not alone in constantly spewing hate. We, who have better angels, must not fall into the trap of responding in kind
President Donald Trump announced today he would soon award Charlie Kirk a Presidential Medal of Freedom*, the highest civilian honor awarded by the president.
Wasn’t Trump going to give Giuliani one of these as well? The Presidential Medal of Freedom used to mean something - now Trump is handing it out like his stupid MAGA hats. I truly wish Kirk was alive today. But his rhetoric was so vile and hateful. To even be posthumously rewarded with the PMF demeans it, and celebrates the worst of the worst, the most hateful, divisive, cruel and inflammatory rhetoric. Also, the performative theatre around this death repulses me: the lowering of the flag, the Medal of Freedom…when the assassinations of a Democratic lawmaker in MN and her husband (and dog!) and the attempted assassination of another Democratic lawmaker and his wife were ignored, mocked and there wasn’t even a call to the MN governor…I thought then, we have crossed a red line in American politics. There is no more basic decency and decorum in the world of a man drunk on power and who himself is one of the most vile humans in modern history. It sickens the soul. If you have one.
Blissfully I forgot all about Rush Limbaugh! But yes, you are correct. I just read Vance, Peter Thiel’s pet, will fly with the family and Kirk’s casket from UT to AZ. This boggles my mind but it shouldn’t. When I start understanding the actions of these sociopaths, then I know I’m in trouble.
well even the media - I saw CNN saying how Kirk worked to promote free speech and give everyone a platform to express ideas. hmmmm- somehow I dont' see it that way although I dont know much about him or his podcasts and ask me anything events.
Diane1.....you are correct. I watch CNN all the time. I read, just after trump took office, that CNN would be easing their opinion of trump. Which is totally wrong, I guess they are afraid of trumps anger.
Truth! Exactly how I feel! Until these extremists are removed, I don't think unity can be achieved. It goes beyond having a difference of opinion. It's a whole unAmerican idealogy.
This should lead to the end of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Replace it with something else that must be a bipartisan agreed medal. I am still reeling from the Limbaugh MOF.
Adam I so appreciate your thoughtful response to a horrible tragedy. I hope our president and our other political leaders could have as much insight and courage that you have to speak this truth and help dial down the divide.
He leapt on this as a godsent opportunity to stir the pot even more, distract from the Epstein files, and fire up the gun-slinging extremists to do his bidding... Which is what? What does tRUMP want more than anything else -- except perhaps to not die before he sees it through to fruition? He wants to be king / tyrant / dictator. We, the Left, are his convenient patsies. Gotta have "bad guys" in order to incite the brainwashed myrmidons to carry out your demands.
Adam, this paragraph rings so true, and I hope it inspires our president, who needs to heed it:
"It also requires courage from leaders. Elected officials and public figures should set the tone by rejecting inflammatory language, by calming rather than exciting our worst instincts."
All of us should be expecting this of our leaders on both sides.
Although the new norm isn’t normal. Not so much outrage when a democrat being shot. At the least I hope something done about weapons in our society after this (there was a school shooting yesterday as well) not holding my breath.
You're right. Everyone I know is asking about the Minnesota assassination and wondering why officials are soft-pedaling that? The school shooting yesterday was underplayed as well.
Maybe the thought that all of these complicit GOP congressman face real threats from the left and the right will cause them to give the timeout signal and say OK we are ready to deal.
No, he is not. That - inflammatory language - is his shtick and how he cultivates and caters to his loyal cultists: tRUMP says - with outrageous, fomenting, inciting aplomb - what they all think. He gives them permission to be as vile and hateful as they please.
"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."
here's my favorite from Everett Hale although I used to think it was from Helen Keller "“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
You’re to be commended, Adam, for rising above the fray, and for asking all of us take you by the hand and join you there. I will always applaud your even-handedness, common decency, sense of justice, respect for truth and love for country both.
Yesterday, every former President and recent vice-president used some kind of news platform to express personal shock, convey condolences to the family, and condemn political violence across the spectrum, no matter what our politics may be.
All save ONE, of course, who used the occasion to accuse his “usual suspects” of murder, moan about “martyrdom” the way the Ayatollah of Iran might, all without A SINGLE WORD condemning political violence, not ONE.
No guesses as to who would dare do such a thing, who would actually seek to inflame rather than to heal, who would ignore the great peril of the moment, calling for new witch-hunts — new, even worse acts of illegality and degradation, rather than beseech us to follow the better angels of our nature.
For those who don’t want to click on the link here is what he said:
Charlie Kirk, the conservative founder and president of Turning Point USA, said during an organizational event on Wednesday that gun deaths in exchange for the preservation of Second Amendment rights is part of America's reality.
No mass shootings at gun shows - it's all a joke with these gun nuts and guards are not a solution. Were their guards when trump was shot? The Kennedys / Reagan. Yes, supposedly the best America can provide.
Puh-leez! tRUMP was never shot. There was never any "attempted assassination"! He's an actor, and that was a well-staged piece of theatre-craft performed by a well-practiced POS (that's POS and NOT potus). It has been thoroughly analyzed, and experts have concluded tRUMP was not shot. Anybody seen tRUMP's ear afterwards? Not a scratch and certainly no nick despite parading around in a bandage for the requisite number of days to make it all seem believable. The kid who did the shooting was a patsy, a fall guy, set up and murdered for his part in that performance. Same with the "assassination attempt" of tRUMP at Mar a Lago. All staged. All theatre. All performance geared toward revving up his loyal fanatical cultists, and here we are. Revenge-addled, gun-toting psychos pumped up by tRUMP and wanting vengeance on everybody on the Left. Have you read the death threats aimed at the Krassensteins? Good God. How do we change the mindset of these brainwashed crazies?
Agree completely! Why isn’t the MSM sharing the analysis of the moron’s ‘assasination attempts’ ??? I thought the ear thing was bogus right away. And all those idiots wearing little mini pads on their ears!!! Unbelievable. It sure is a cult!
Wise words, Adam. I listened to you this morning rather than reading your post and I can hear the exhaustion in your voice. I'm sure you are increasingly concerned for your and your family's safety. Please accept my gratitude for continuing to speak out and for reminding us every day of who we are and how we can better reflect those core values. 🙏
Adam, I'd like to hear your ideas on how we get back to discussion and compromise when MAGA and SCOUTUS stack the deck against discussion, civility, compromise and THE RULE OF LAW, every day. When masked, no ID fake police can arrest protesters, as well as immigrants (legal and illegal) with impunity, where is the road back to sanity. We now live in a police state that is growing by the day
I just read Mary Trump’s view of the shooting and DJT’s rhetoric and MAGA rhetoric that continually fuels hate and OK’s violence against Dems and anyone else they view as not loyal to their cause. But when one of their own is killed by the same violence that both he and they espouse, you better look out because we’re coming for you. We have to find a way to fight that non-violently because they are coming for anyone they choose, any day of the week.
Yes, exactly right. Kinda makes me wonder whether Kirk was a sacrifice to the cause shot by tRUMP's own... This sure worked like a dream for tRUMP to derail any focus on Epstein and was a perfect excuse to incite his armed and itching-for-a-fight adoring zealots to gear up for a battle - or war - so he can remain on the throne. I'm frickin' scared. Just 2 days ago I was saying in a comment right here that I now believe that civil war won't happen, and within 48 hours everything has gone kablooey.
I am disgusted by the leadership in the USA. This violence is on them, totally. There is no one saying, "Enough!" or "Peace!" or "Let's agree to act responsibly." Instead, there is only rage from the top, the Republicans in Congress and spitting mad and not one in their leadership is asking them to rein it in. Oh, and cowardly silence from the Democrats who are hoping Kirk's assassination will give them an edge for fundraising fundraising fundraising without showing one slip of strength or determination. We will lose our country because MONEY chose bad leaders for us. Oh, sure, we did the not-turning-out and the voting. But we all were so horribly manipulated as we struggle to make a life in this damaged land. I am devastated for this once great country, because it didn't have to be this way.
Please let us all work harder to foster unity at this critical moment. I remember the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Medgar Evers, and countless other senseless deaths. Please also remember the assassinations of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark and the shooting of state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. We must protect free debate and reject violence and vengeance. Thank you for your work and for Country 1st.
The intersection of hate &mental/behavioral illness is the MAGA sweet spot for civil unrest &power grabs. CharlieKirk fought for the right to die this way … an unfortunate byproduct of his advocacy. Those who claim to revere him will use his death to stoke more hate &violence and increase their control over ignorants. The less the rest of us react the better at this point IMO. Don’t take the bait, don’t fuel the fire, don’t counter-aggress … that said, never cower &always speak the truth loud &clear. Let us not lose sight of what’s on center stage … it’s not him it’s our democracy.
Well said 917. There is going to be a lot of red meat thrown out the next several days. Don't take the bait because that's exactly what they want. I think I'll read Gandhi this afternoon!
Declaring this as representing evil on the "other side" is easy to refute, witness the recent assassination of Minnesota lawmakers in their homes. Also, in our local paper today, the Kirk killing received front page headlines, while another school shooting, an attempt to kill children, warranted only second page mention. Up is down and right is left, as long as our leaders say it is so....
“It also requires courage from leaders”, something you have already proved with your leadership, Adam. Let’s hope it’s contagious.
Unfortunately our “leaders” have little or no courage.
When there's a divisive person, no matter which party, has a world stage to promote unity, compassion and decency,yet, uses it to push hate and lies against others, it's difficult to come together and feel any sort of unity. It breeds distrust, anger, and hate. Even peaceful protests are in jeopardy. The pent-up anger from hearing daily vile rhetoric comes out in unacceptable behaviors..it has no where else to go. Never in my 70 years have I felt so helpless. My country is falling into a fascist dictatorship and I don't see an election being allowed. My first 18 years were lived on Air Force bases. My dad served 26 years. I was raised to respect authority, especially our president. These days, I struggle. Everything I've been taught has been ripped away. I can't accept those who promote or are involved with tearing down my country.
Nor should you accept that! Our Declaration of Independence (look it up) states that it is OUR RIGHT and - most importantly - OUR DUTY to throw out a wannabe tyrant who has made his intentions clear and has committed crimes to pursue his goal. >>> We the people should not stand for this!!! <<<
You are not alone in your feelings. I agree with you. I too was a military "brat" (also Air Force) and I know of what you speak.
My dad was in the Navy for 30 years, a veteran of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. I am of a similar age as you and also feel like I am watching my country disintegrate before my eyes.
Totally agree with you on this one!
MJH55.....I agree with you! I believe trump is the cause of so much hatred in the country. Everything he says on a daily basis is hatred towards to democrats, the media, anyone who disagrees with him or speaks the truth. Until he is silenced nothing will change it will only get worse.
Sadly, our current “leader” immediately and publicly demonized an entire category of folks, so we can expect more death delivered by the unhinged.
That denigration and demonization of others clearly and vociferously demonstrates his hate for that category of folks. HE (trump) is the most significant cause of the current state of our union! Unfortunately, he is not alone in constantly spewing hate. We, who have better angels, must not fall into the trap of responding in kind
please run for president! 🙏🏻🇺🇸
President Donald Trump announced today he would soon award Charlie Kirk a Presidential Medal of Freedom*, the highest civilian honor awarded by the president.
*NOT FREEDOM FOR ALL!!!
And flying flags at half mast, an honor not extended to the Minnesota DEMOCRATIC representatives.
He's why there's so much discord.
I'm flying my flag full out for 9/11 today and wearing my flag pin to remind people.
Wasn’t Trump going to give Giuliani one of these as well? The Presidential Medal of Freedom used to mean something - now Trump is handing it out like his stupid MAGA hats. I truly wish Kirk was alive today. But his rhetoric was so vile and hateful. To even be posthumously rewarded with the PMF demeans it, and celebrates the worst of the worst, the most hateful, divisive, cruel and inflammatory rhetoric. Also, the performative theatre around this death repulses me: the lowering of the flag, the Medal of Freedom…when the assassinations of a Democratic lawmaker in MN and her husband (and dog!) and the attempted assassination of another Democratic lawmaker and his wife were ignored, mocked and there wasn’t even a call to the MN governor…I thought then, we have crossed a red line in American politics. There is no more basic decency and decorum in the world of a man drunk on power and who himself is one of the most vile humans in modern history. It sickens the soul. If you have one.
Don't forget Trump also gave Rush Limbaugh, one of the most vile human beings the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Blissfully I forgot all about Rush Limbaugh! But yes, you are correct. I just read Vance, Peter Thiel’s pet, will fly with the family and Kirk’s casket from UT to AZ. This boggles my mind but it shouldn’t. When I start understanding the actions of these sociopaths, then I know I’m in trouble.
well even the media - I saw CNN saying how Kirk worked to promote free speech and give everyone a platform to express ideas. hmmmm- somehow I dont' see it that way although I dont know much about him or his podcasts and ask me anything events.
Diane1.....you are correct. I watch CNN all the time. I read, just after trump took office, that CNN would be easing their opinion of trump. Which is totally wrong, I guess they are afraid of trumps anger.
Truth! Exactly how I feel! Until these extremists are removed, I don't think unity can be achieved. It goes beyond having a difference of opinion. It's a whole unAmerican idealogy.
It most likely will be up to us to unite our country, we can't rely on our leader because he is the one feeding the great divide!
To blame and demonize non MAGA people as the ones inciting violence is another page out of Hitler's playbook.
100%!
This should lead to the end of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Replace it with something else that must be a bipartisan agreed medal. I am still reeling from the Limbaugh MOF.
100%
He follows no protocols.
John/Bring it on.....and again he dishonors/disrespects a prestigious award. Rush, Rudy and now Charlie who's next!?!
Adam I so appreciate your thoughtful response to a horrible tragedy. I hope our president and our other political leaders could have as much insight and courage that you have to speak this truth and help dial down the divide.
well we know trump doesnt- he already sent his message of blaming 'the radical left and their violence'
He leapt on this as a godsent opportunity to stir the pot even more, distract from the Epstein files, and fire up the gun-slinging extremists to do his bidding... Which is what? What does tRUMP want more than anything else -- except perhaps to not die before he sees it through to fruition? He wants to be king / tyrant / dictator. We, the Left, are his convenient patsies. Gotta have "bad guys" in order to incite the brainwashed myrmidons to carry out your demands.
Yes.
I just heard a speech our president should have given but of course didn’t. Kudos to you Adam.
Adam, this paragraph rings so true, and I hope it inspires our president, who needs to heed it:
"It also requires courage from leaders. Elected officials and public figures should set the tone by rejecting inflammatory language, by calming rather than exciting our worst instincts."
All of us should be expecting this of our leaders on both sides.
Although the new norm isn’t normal. Not so much outrage when a democrat being shot. At the least I hope something done about weapons in our society after this (there was a school shooting yesterday as well) not holding my breath.
You're right. Everyone I know is asking about the Minnesota assassination and wondering why officials are soft-pedaling that? The school shooting yesterday was underplayed as well.
Maybe the thought that all of these complicit GOP congressman face real threats from the left and the right will cause them to give the timeout signal and say OK we are ready to deal.
YES! Your words to their ears!
I really don't think 47 is capable of rejecting inflammatory language, by calming rather than exciting our worst instincts.
No, he is not. That - inflammatory language - is his shtick and how he cultivates and caters to his loyal cultists: tRUMP says - with outrageous, fomenting, inciting aplomb - what they all think. He gives them permission to be as vile and hateful as they please.
Came across this this morning:
"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."
- Howard Zinn
here's my favorite from Everett Hale although I used to think it was from Helen Keller "“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
That's now on a note at the corner of my laptop screen; thanks.
I love that - THANK YOU!
You’re to be commended, Adam, for rising above the fray, and for asking all of us take you by the hand and join you there. I will always applaud your even-handedness, common decency, sense of justice, respect for truth and love for country both.
Yesterday, every former President and recent vice-president used some kind of news platform to express personal shock, convey condolences to the family, and condemn political violence across the spectrum, no matter what our politics may be.
All save ONE, of course, who used the occasion to accuse his “usual suspects” of murder, moan about “martyrdom” the way the Ayatollah of Iran might, all without A SINGLE WORD condemning political violence, not ONE.
No guesses as to who would dare do such a thing, who would actually seek to inflame rather than to heal, who would ignore the great peril of the moment, calling for new witch-hunts — new, even worse acts of illegality and degradation, rather than beseech us to follow the better angels of our nature.
Yes, that’s the one.
Nailed it!
Thank you! Extremely well- and accurately stated.
Violence is always wrong. That said, this from the man who was murdered yesterday:
https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirk-says-gun-deaths-worth-it-2nd-amendment-1793113
For those who don’t want to click on the link here is what he said:
Charlie Kirk, the conservative founder and president of Turning Point USA, said during an organizational event on Wednesday that gun deaths in exchange for the preservation of Second Amendment rights is part of America's reality.
Karma is hard isn’t it Charlie?
It always sounds good until your on the receiving end.
No mass shootings at gun shows - it's all a joke with these gun nuts and guards are not a solution. Were their guards when trump was shot? The Kennedys / Reagan. Yes, supposedly the best America can provide.
Puh-leez! tRUMP was never shot. There was never any "attempted assassination"! He's an actor, and that was a well-staged piece of theatre-craft performed by a well-practiced POS (that's POS and NOT potus). It has been thoroughly analyzed, and experts have concluded tRUMP was not shot. Anybody seen tRUMP's ear afterwards? Not a scratch and certainly no nick despite parading around in a bandage for the requisite number of days to make it all seem believable. The kid who did the shooting was a patsy, a fall guy, set up and murdered for his part in that performance. Same with the "assassination attempt" of tRUMP at Mar a Lago. All staged. All theatre. All performance geared toward revving up his loyal fanatical cultists, and here we are. Revenge-addled, gun-toting psychos pumped up by tRUMP and wanting vengeance on everybody on the Left. Have you read the death threats aimed at the Krassensteins? Good God. How do we change the mindset of these brainwashed crazies?
Context:
https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/08/23/detective-proctor-trump-shooting/
Agree completely! Why isn’t the MSM sharing the analysis of the moron’s ‘assasination attempts’ ??? I thought the ear thing was bogus right away. And all those idiots wearing little mini pads on their ears!!! Unbelievable. It sure is a cult!
Wise words, Adam. I listened to you this morning rather than reading your post and I can hear the exhaustion in your voice. I'm sure you are increasingly concerned for your and your family's safety. Please accept my gratitude for continuing to speak out and for reminding us every day of who we are and how we can better reflect those core values. 🙏
thank you, and good catch
It certainly time for everyone in the nation to take a good hard look into the mirror!
Adam, I'd like to hear your ideas on how we get back to discussion and compromise when MAGA and SCOUTUS stack the deck against discussion, civility, compromise and THE RULE OF LAW, every day. When masked, no ID fake police can arrest protesters, as well as immigrants (legal and illegal) with impunity, where is the road back to sanity. We now live in a police state that is growing by the day
I just read Mary Trump’s view of the shooting and DJT’s rhetoric and MAGA rhetoric that continually fuels hate and OK’s violence against Dems and anyone else they view as not loyal to their cause. But when one of their own is killed by the same violence that both he and they espouse, you better look out because we’re coming for you. We have to find a way to fight that non-violently because they are coming for anyone they choose, any day of the week.
Yes, exactly right. Kinda makes me wonder whether Kirk was a sacrifice to the cause shot by tRUMP's own... This sure worked like a dream for tRUMP to derail any focus on Epstein and was a perfect excuse to incite his armed and itching-for-a-fight adoring zealots to gear up for a battle - or war - so he can remain on the throne. I'm frickin' scared. Just 2 days ago I was saying in a comment right here that I now believe that civil war won't happen, and within 48 hours everything has gone kablooey.
You gave a speech that most presidents would have but not this one. Thank you.
Yes, exactly right - THIS is the speech a true and actual president would have given - not that vile rhetoric spewed by that vile pretender.
I am disgusted by the leadership in the USA. This violence is on them, totally. There is no one saying, "Enough!" or "Peace!" or "Let's agree to act responsibly." Instead, there is only rage from the top, the Republicans in Congress and spitting mad and not one in their leadership is asking them to rein it in. Oh, and cowardly silence from the Democrats who are hoping Kirk's assassination will give them an edge for fundraising fundraising fundraising without showing one slip of strength or determination. We will lose our country because MONEY chose bad leaders for us. Oh, sure, we did the not-turning-out and the voting. But we all were so horribly manipulated as we struggle to make a life in this damaged land. I am devastated for this once great country, because it didn't have to be this way.
Please let us all work harder to foster unity at this critical moment. I remember the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Medgar Evers, and countless other senseless deaths. Please also remember the assassinations of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark and the shooting of state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. We must protect free debate and reject violence and vengeance. Thank you for your work and for Country 1st.
Let’s not forget the assassination of every school student in the US!!
The intersection of hate &mental/behavioral illness is the MAGA sweet spot for civil unrest &power grabs. CharlieKirk fought for the right to die this way … an unfortunate byproduct of his advocacy. Those who claim to revere him will use his death to stoke more hate &violence and increase their control over ignorants. The less the rest of us react the better at this point IMO. Don’t take the bait, don’t fuel the fire, don’t counter-aggress … that said, never cower &always speak the truth loud &clear. Let us not lose sight of what’s on center stage … it’s not him it’s our democracy.
Well said 917. There is going to be a lot of red meat thrown out the next several days. Don't take the bait because that's exactly what they want. I think I'll read Gandhi this afternoon!
EXCELLENT!!!
Declaring this as representing evil on the "other side" is easy to refute, witness the recent assassination of Minnesota lawmakers in their homes. Also, in our local paper today, the Kirk killing received front page headlines, while another school shooting, an attempt to kill children, warranted only second page mention. Up is down and right is left, as long as our leaders say it is so....
One thing I know is that hate begets more hate and that often leads to more vilolence.
Thank you for all you do. I'd like to see this as a YouTube video so I can share it that way.