Indeed... I was struck by your comment that "civil discourse is almost impossible"... for me, the the key word there is "almost". So much feels impossible until it's done. We've got a much better chance at making the change we want to see if we believe it's possible.
Thank you for the much needed advice. The image of be water is a good one. To love our enemies is the hardest kind of love but the only way that works. I did not know of this person but I figure he must have been the lighter fluid type. Having lived through the Civil Rights movement I am aware of how violent some changes are. All any of us can do is lead by example. I am sure this young man felt like he was doing good. These are hard times. Be calm, cool, and collected. You think better that way. So says my Dad.
I agree that water is better than gasoline. Unfortunately, I and those like me, are speaking one on one. The horrid, gasoline spitting voices, are screaming on the airwaves. I fear that they are the voices being heard.
A Somber And Thoughtful Analysis: Corageously Calm, Incitefully Intreaging, Wise Beyond Wisdom, Definatively Delving, Robustly And Fairly Researched, Rationally Presented, Conclusion Obviously Correct, Artfull Word Choices, Ideal Word-Smithing. Masterfully Written Piece. Provided By My Gifted Friend. Thank You, Austin. Virginia Jim Wilson
Yes I agree! We need to learn how to engage with an opinion that is true for another person, that is not true for our own. We need to learn to listen, and ask intelligent questions- that does not bring shackles up, but lets them know they have been heard...And then know enough of facts, history, and genuine concerns that we can engage back...to de-esculate the emotion. It's so hard to learn how to do that when so much hatred is coming back at you..but we have to keep trying to calm the fear. First we have to know what the fear is....and they are telling us...
Thank you Austin for your kind and dignified article.
I do, however, feel the need to push back a “little” on your comments.
First, you say “. . . he (Kirk) was clearly a gifted organizer and leader who stepped into the political arena with courage.”
Kirk may have been “gifted”, but the way he chose to put his gifts to work were pretty disgusting and created a lot of harm to real people.
He was a liar, a promoter of division, a promoter of conspiracy BS, and as far as I am concerned showed a lot of who he was but “courageous and leader do not come to mind”!
His death is horrible for what it means for his family and the state of our country, but lets not whitewash who and what this man stood for!
I understand your point... however, to make my particular point, I don't think attacking his tactics, arguments, or character is necessary... in fact, I think doing so would weaken it. When one makes a long list of all the bad things about a person, even when followed by "his death is horrible," it reads a little too much to me as "he had it coming," or "he reaped what he sowed." Many others will write that column or make that point, but I don't think it's helpful to my argument, which is that we must lower the temperature at this incredibly dangerous, volatile time.
Thank you for your response, I do appreciate it, but I do think that you are putting words into my mouth and perhaps miss my point.
I was not and did not attack Kirk’s character, but I did comment on his choices, and his actions and words which, to be fair, is fair!
You perhaps are reading a lot into my comment to say that it sounds like I am saying he had it coming. I have always, and do now, oppose all guns and all gun violence, 100%. of the time!
Perhaps it would be closer to say that what one does or says does have consequences and I do not believe that we need to wait for others to point this out.
Lowering the temperature is certainly something we urgently need. Too bad that the people who are perhaps most responsible for raising the temperature in the first place will never read let a lone see your words here.
Not being entirely forthcoming about what someone stood for and promoted is not lowering the temperature.
My intention was not to put words into your mouth. I understood your point. My point is that saying things that could be read, felt, interpreted as attacking him does not help make my point here. In fact, I like that I could have written an identical post about a victim with whom I felt total alignment. I don't consider that whitewashing. The post is meant to be more about all of us than him.
Your post was about how we 'should' interact with the MAGA cult and how calling out Charlie's hypocrisy about tragedy doesn't help lower the temperature of the conversation. But the truth is that the MAGA cult only cares when something happens to one of their cult leaders. Which they just use to further their grifty victim hood culture. There is no getting around the fact that the MAGA cult does not care about people who are not with them. They do not care if you want to talk nice about Charlie and will use your words against democrats and progressives to shut down the conversation about gun violence - they'll just call Democrats mentally unstable and declare the party a terrorist organization. They already do this, this is not hyperbole. War has been declared and they are not looking to live nicely with people who are different than them.
In the same vein, your post could be about questions people could ask the MAGA cult to really get them to think about the world around them in ways that are non-violent. That could be helpful and if successful would make many people less anxious about the future of non-violence.
Respectfully, my post is actually NOT about how we "should interact with the MAGA cult" or "how calling out Charlie's hypocrisy about tragedy doesn't help lower the temperature."
Respectfully, "Water or Lighter Fluid" - while talking about how to interact with who then, supporters of Charlie Kirk? The internet? People in our day to day life? - Who are you cautioning us to 'lower the temperature' when conversing? In our own thoughts? Whatever your post was about then, good luck.
Extremely well said. Couldn’t agree more. We need to grow past this dangerous time in our country’s politics.
i appreciate your wisdom. Thank you so much!
Unfortunately we live at a time in history where violence is being exacerbated and even encouraged.
If you do things to support violence in the world, especially in your own government, you are going to be a victim if that violence.
We have to have representatives who are going to stand up and declare without a doubt that enough is enough.
We used to have intelligent thoughtful debate in this country.
We now are so divided that any kind of civil discourse is almost impossible.
THAT is why this kind of violence occurred and will most likely continue.
This isn’t America getting great. It’s the exact opposite.
Indeed... I was struck by your comment that "civil discourse is almost impossible"... for me, the the key word there is "almost". So much feels impossible until it's done. We've got a much better chance at making the change we want to see if we believe it's possible.
Thank you for your piece. Very well written. Your voice is truly needed right now. Les
Thank you for the much needed advice. The image of be water is a good one. To love our enemies is the hardest kind of love but the only way that works. I did not know of this person but I figure he must have been the lighter fluid type. Having lived through the Civil Rights movement I am aware of how violent some changes are. All any of us can do is lead by example. I am sure this young man felt like he was doing good. These are hard times. Be calm, cool, and collected. You think better that way. So says my Dad.
Excellent 🙏🏼very well said💙thank you for sharing 💜☮️
Thank you for being a voice of wisdom and caring.
Agree completely!
Loved it. So beautifully constructed. Thank you.
I agree that water is better than gasoline. Unfortunately, I and those like me, are speaking one on one. The horrid, gasoline spitting voices, are screaming on the airwaves. I fear that they are the voices being heard.
Excellent words.
A Somber And Thoughtful Analysis: Corageously Calm, Incitefully Intreaging, Wise Beyond Wisdom, Definatively Delving, Robustly And Fairly Researched, Rationally Presented, Conclusion Obviously Correct, Artfull Word Choices, Ideal Word-Smithing. Masterfully Written Piece. Provided By My Gifted Friend. Thank You, Austin. Virginia Jim Wilson
Well said, amen.
Yes I agree! We need to learn how to engage with an opinion that is true for another person, that is not true for our own. We need to learn to listen, and ask intelligent questions- that does not bring shackles up, but lets them know they have been heard...And then know enough of facts, history, and genuine concerns that we can engage back...to de-esculate the emotion. It's so hard to learn how to do that when so much hatred is coming back at you..but we have to keep trying to calm the fear. First we have to know what the fear is....and they are telling us...
Amen. Thank you.
Thank you Austin for your kind and dignified article.
I do, however, feel the need to push back a “little” on your comments.
First, you say “. . . he (Kirk) was clearly a gifted organizer and leader who stepped into the political arena with courage.”
Kirk may have been “gifted”, but the way he chose to put his gifts to work were pretty disgusting and created a lot of harm to real people.
He was a liar, a promoter of division, a promoter of conspiracy BS, and as far as I am concerned showed a lot of who he was but “courageous and leader do not come to mind”!
His death is horrible for what it means for his family and the state of our country, but lets not whitewash who and what this man stood for!
I understand your point... however, to make my particular point, I don't think attacking his tactics, arguments, or character is necessary... in fact, I think doing so would weaken it. When one makes a long list of all the bad things about a person, even when followed by "his death is horrible," it reads a little too much to me as "he had it coming," or "he reaped what he sowed." Many others will write that column or make that point, but I don't think it's helpful to my argument, which is that we must lower the temperature at this incredibly dangerous, volatile time.
Thank you for your response, I do appreciate it, but I do think that you are putting words into my mouth and perhaps miss my point.
I was not and did not attack Kirk’s character, but I did comment on his choices, and his actions and words which, to be fair, is fair!
You perhaps are reading a lot into my comment to say that it sounds like I am saying he had it coming. I have always, and do now, oppose all guns and all gun violence, 100%. of the time!
Perhaps it would be closer to say that what one does or says does have consequences and I do not believe that we need to wait for others to point this out.
Lowering the temperature is certainly something we urgently need. Too bad that the people who are perhaps most responsible for raising the temperature in the first place will never read let a lone see your words here.
Not being entirely forthcoming about what someone stood for and promoted is not lowering the temperature.
My intention was not to put words into your mouth. I understood your point. My point is that saying things that could be read, felt, interpreted as attacking him does not help make my point here. In fact, I like that I could have written an identical post about a victim with whom I felt total alignment. I don't consider that whitewashing. The post is meant to be more about all of us than him.
Your post was about how we 'should' interact with the MAGA cult and how calling out Charlie's hypocrisy about tragedy doesn't help lower the temperature of the conversation. But the truth is that the MAGA cult only cares when something happens to one of their cult leaders. Which they just use to further their grifty victim hood culture. There is no getting around the fact that the MAGA cult does not care about people who are not with them. They do not care if you want to talk nice about Charlie and will use your words against democrats and progressives to shut down the conversation about gun violence - they'll just call Democrats mentally unstable and declare the party a terrorist organization. They already do this, this is not hyperbole. War has been declared and they are not looking to live nicely with people who are different than them.
In the same vein, your post could be about questions people could ask the MAGA cult to really get them to think about the world around them in ways that are non-violent. That could be helpful and if successful would make many people less anxious about the future of non-violence.
Respectfully, my post is actually NOT about how we "should interact with the MAGA cult" or "how calling out Charlie's hypocrisy about tragedy doesn't help lower the temperature."
Respectfully, "Water or Lighter Fluid" - while talking about how to interact with who then, supporters of Charlie Kirk? The internet? People in our day to day life? - Who are you cautioning us to 'lower the temperature' when conversing? In our own thoughts? Whatever your post was about then, good luck.