For some time now persons have asked me what my greatest political fear is. Allow us some radical candor this day…
I’m afraid that someone will assassinate Pres. Trump and 30% of the country will cheer.
That has nothing to do with supporting or opposing the sitting President. That has everything to do with people being so blinded by their opinions and passions that they can no longer see the difference between right and wrong.
Early Sunday morning while he and his family were asleep, the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was allegedly, intentionally set on fire by a 38 year old man. The man has been charged with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and more. The house looks horrific. Details about motive continue to unfold, but the initial investigation reveals that the man admitted to “harboring hatred” toward the Keystone State Governor.
A few more details…
Shapiro is a Democrat.
I don’t care.
Shapiro is Jewish.
I also don’t care.
What I care about is that Shapiro and his wife Lori and four children are ok. People need to learn to disagree in a way that doesn’t allow hatred to harbor in their heart and then justify responding in such ugly, untenable ways. There is zero justification for violence. Sadly, no less, we don’t learn that from a totality of our leaders. Way too many utilize vicious and violent rhetoric. Way too many of us are ok with it; we even cheer.
Hear the reaction of fellow Pennsylvanian, Sen. Dave McCormick. Note that McCormick is a Republican.
(I still don’t care.)
“… No matter the motivation, it’s important for all Americans to recognize that the demonization of political opponents and those with whom we disagree must stop. I made this same argument after witnessing the terrible near-assassination of President Trump and murder of Corey Comperatore in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Shapiro is a Democrat. I’m a Republican who supports President Donald Trump. But this isn’t a moment for partisanship. It’s time for all Americans to disown, condemn, and make every effort to stop political violence. And we must likewise call on our political leaders to avoid language that vilifies those on the other side.
When political figures or activists characterize a person or group as irredeemably evil, they plant a poisonous, dangerous seed. As violent language becomes more pervasive, our political system will slip further past the boundary between honest, even intense political disagreements, and nurturing a climate of demonization and violence. Take your pick of recent examples.
Tesla cars and dealerships have been vandalized and set on fire amid accusations of Elon Musk being a danger to the republic.
Nine Democratic lawmakers said that they received bomb threats on around last Thanksgiving.
Jewish Columbia University students were attacked and physically blocked from going to class and a janitor was held against his will during the occupation of Hamilton Hall, amid anti-Israel protests at Columbia that saw calls to kill Zionists and ‘crush Zionism’ ‘by any means necessary.’
The alleged assassin of a United Healthcare executive was celebrated as a hero standing up against the supposed injustices of private health insurance.
An assassination plot against a Supreme Court justice was foiled two years after a United States Senator stood on the court’s steps claiming justices had ‘unleashed the whirlwind.’ The list goes on.
I am sure there will be those who overlook the demonization when it’s their ‘side’ doing it. But the truth is that no side has a monopoly on violence and the rhetoric that can incite it. Partisans may wave away my examples on the left or the right in favor of their own examples. But the pattern is right in front of us. Some call it incitement, and others, stochastic terrorism. Whatever the name, we must call out the radical rhetoric and political violence that we have all witnessed over the course of this decade. I am doing so now, specifically at this moment, when the violence is directed at my governor, not in spite of the fact that he and I disagree on many things, but because we do…”
There is more. But concluding with candor, let us simply acknowledge that the demonization, violence and rhetoric are wrong.
Respectfully…
AR