You may not be familiar with the name Charlie Kirk – an eloquent orator who was tragically struck down while delivering a lecture at Utah Valley University. Known for his distinctive perspective, he was an ardent supporter of Western values, Israel, and Christianity. These ideological principles bore an uncanny resemblance to those cherished by our Founding Fathers, and are enshrined within the Constitution. His impactful debates – now widely available on the internet – captured the attention of many young minds and amassed a significant following.
Kirk’s significant influence was widely considered a substantial factor in mobilizing youth support for the presidency. His abrupt assassination, witnessed by his wife and daughter, shocked the nation. Yet, what was more alarming was the subsequent wave of vitriolic online commentary, filled with spite and support for the crime.
This situation conjured up an unusual parallel to an event that unfolded years ago. When Mao’s Communist regime in China extended an invite to its detractors to voice their dissent, they were taken aback by the sheer magnitude of the opposition. The naive or audacious individuals who believed in the Hundred Flowers Campaign’s promise of free speech found themselves incarcerated, forced into re-education programs, or worse.
This week’s incident echoed the residues of that campaign in an eerie manner. A disturbing expression of anti-democratic sentiment was displayed by a spectrum of professionals – educators, medical practitioners, media personnel, and government employees, including some military and Secret Service members. These individuals extended their support for the tragic incident, misled by the distorted narrative spread primarily by educational institutions, media, Democratic lawmakers, and celebrity figures.
As the repercussions of their unpalatable views start to unfold – in the shape of social ostracism, termination of employment, loss of business and visas – videos have started to emerge online showcasing their shock and disbelief. A stark difference from the episode in China – where the government penalized citizens for their speech – these individuals are facing retribution from fellow citizens for condoning murder as a means of silencing disagreement.
In recent years, the Left has occupied the spotlight for canceling individuals and tormenting them for petty ‘microaggressions’, belonging to the ‘wrong’ group, and ‘triggering’ them. There was an outcry claiming ‘words are violence’. However, words in themselves are not inherently violent; it’s the context which can make them so. Advocating violence, on the other hand, is undeniably reprehensible.
The responsibility for this toxic environment is largely attributed to former President Barack Obama – a viewpoint expressed by Lee Smith. Comparisons are being drawn to 2024 Brooklyn and 1938 Berlin to highlight the disparity. American intelligence officials indicated Iran’s role in fueling pro-Hamas demonstrations, using the Iran nuclear deal as a tool to propagate political violence.
Before leaving office in 2017, Obama, in collaboration with his CIA Director John Brennan, authorized an intelligence community to assert that Vladimir Putin had a hand in Trump’s election. This maneuver was intended to cause disruption within the American populace, turning half the electorate against each other. This disquieting state continues to persist.
Several troubling signs of a destabilized society have emerged. These include widespread prosecution of political opponents post-January 6, mandating vaccines, demonizing those who resist them, branding Trump supporters as domestic terrorists, illegal immigration, the criminalization of peaceful protestors at abortion clinics, and unlawful prosecution of the opposition leader. Lastly, and most frighteningly, the assassination attempt of his life.
It’s unfortunate but true that Obama’s incendiary tactics were wholeheartedly embraced by many Democratic leaders. Prominent journalists also added fuel to the flame of hatred. Nick Sorter’s compilation of journalist remarks labeling Trump and his supporters as ‘fascists’ mirrors the narrative used by Kirk’s murderer to justify his crime. According to Michael Shellenberger, Obama undeniably laid the foundation for a toxic culture that made political violence almost inevitable.
The fact that the assassination took place at a university is sadly not surprising, given the common thread of intolerance in academia. This trend dates back several decades, as embodied in Allan Bloom’s 1987 ‘The Closing of the American Mind’. Strict action should be taken against such deviations from respectful discourse, including potential expulsion of offenders.
Obama is often accused of painting a dehumanizing picture of half the country to his supporters. The repercussions of which are far-reaching, including a surge of political violence, assassination attempts, and several destructive incidents targeting government officials. These incidents are a stark reminder of the poisonous atmosphere we live in.
The nature and extent of right-wing violence are remarkably different. It’s usually carried out by isolated individuals consumed by conspiracy theories, anti-Semitic sentiments, and other forms of paranoia propagated by far-right websites. The left perceives these dissenting individuals, who they collectively reference as ‘the right’, not just as political adversaries, but an embodiment of evil to be silenced.
The left interprets the ‘incorrect’ form of speech as a form of violence, thereby justifying the use of violence against dissenters. Activists are consequently encouraged to take action against perceived enemies, including climate change ‘deniers’ and ‘colonialist’ statues. There are increasing reports of teachers and professors being disciplined and removed from their roles due to hate speech and objectionable online behavior.
This disciplinary action now extends to federal employees and military personnel as well. However, the realization has not yet sunk in for these individuals, demonstrating a disturbing lack of awareness. Therefore, holding them and the organizations that tolerate such behavior accountable is of utmost importance. Their denial is a poignant reminder of who’s keeping tabs and the consequences of their actions.
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