RIP Charlie Kirk

[LDAHL]

I’ll admit I was aware of Charlie Kirk, but not really a follower. I skew a bit older than his primary demographic. I did enjoy the occasional video of his various campus debates. He aroused the usual ire of people who would rather shut up someone with contrary views than defend their own. His brand of socially conservative, pro-capitalist opinions seemed to violate a lot of taboos. They seemed to be especially angered by his lack of reverence for academic credentials.

I was saddened to learn that some generic human stain decided to exercise a murderer’s veto, but was encouraged to see that outside of a few intellectual fever swamps such as MSNBC we didn’t see much of the disgusting “I deplore violence but…” commentary we saw after the Luigi Mangione affair. I consider that to be a hopeful sign.

[littlebittybobby]

okay---i did not even know who Charlie Kirk was, until he got wacked by a wacko with a war-surplus high-powered rifle fitted with a scope; tho he prolly never heard o' me, either. Ha. But yeah---the alleged shooter allegedly abandoned the rifle, when he/she/it made their escape, which is right out of the Ozzwald and James Earl Ray playbook. I'm wondering what that rifle will bring at auction, after the trials and appeals and finally---the alleged shooters' execution by firing squad? I figure the best strategy now would be for controversial characters to shy away from public appearance at outdoor venues. Seems like a common sense approach, to me.

[iris lilies]

I’ll admit I was aware of Charlie Kirk, but not really a follower. I skew a bit older than his primary demographic. I did enjoy the occasional video of his various campus debates. He aroused the usual ire of people who would rather shut up someone with contrary views than defend their own. His brand of socially conservative, pro-capitalist opinions seemed to violate a lot of taboos. They seemed to be especially angered by his lack of reverence for academic credentials.

I was saddened to learn that some generic human stain decided to exercise a murderer’s veto, but was encouraged to see that outside of a few intellectual fever swamps such as MSNBC we didn’t see much of the disgusting “I deplore violence but…” commentary we saw after the Luigi Mangione affair. I consider that to be a hopeful sign.

We’ve talked a little bit about the Charlie Kirk tragedy on the “rant” thread. I knew Charlie set up his little table at campuses with a provocative topic and “Change my mind!” signs but I hadn’t realized until eulogies that he started this when he was 21, so that’s why he relates to the college crowd. There are his people, talking to them as he always has. He always seemed cheerful and polite. I was watching a couple clips recently where college kids are giving him decent arguments. A good exercise for them.

Peter Boghossian does similar “man on the street “work where he names a topic and has volunteer random people stand on a scale that shows how much they agree or disagree with a position on the topic. That exercise is good for debating conflict and allows for nuance because it shows not all people are in 100% of one camp or another.

[iris lilies]

I agree that most media talking heads have shown appropriate horror and sadness at Kirk‘s murder. Part of that could be because they identify with him, a professional political talker. He wasn’t an elected official, he was (likely) shot simply for expressing his opinions.

I can’t say that his death will leave a hole in my podcast viewing. I was thinking today about whose death I would be affected by if they were in the same camp as Charlie Kirk and I think I would be shocked and numb if it was Ben Shapiro. I don’t purposely listen to Ben or The Wire, but those things cross my video viewing now and then, I like Ben. I just enjoy his style more than that of Kirk maybe because Ben is a little older and not so relentlessly Christian.

[Alan]

I just enjoy his style more than that of Kirk maybe because Ben is a little older and not so relentlessly Christian.

Probably due to the fact that he is relentlessly Jewish?

[iris lilies]

Probably due to the fact that he is relentlessly Jewish?

Yes, I set you up for that! I know Ben is relentlessly Jewish, but I find that refreshing I suppose because I am Jew adjacent. And Ben claims Libertarian positions when it comes to government interference in personal life and keep religion out of government.

yet Dave Ramsey is relentlessly Christian in outlook and reference and I don’t mind that, I enjoy his Bible based lessons. For me I guess it depends on the messenger.

[rosarugosa]

okay---i did not even know who Charlie Kirk was, until he got wacked by a wacko with a war-surplus high-powered rifle fitted with a scope; tho he prolly never heard o' me, either.

Same here.

Listening to some clips of his rhetoric, he strikes me as a bit of a jerk, and I disagree with most of his opinions. However, being a jerk is not grounds for execution - think how empty the world would be.

[frugal-one]

Same here.

Listening to some clips of his rhetoric, he strikes me as a bit of a jerk, and I disagree with most of his opinions. However, being a jerk is not grounds for execution - think how empty the world would be.

I never heard of him before this. Feel the same as rosarugosa about him.

[Rogar]

I'd not ever heard of him either and had to look him up. Wiki has a long list of his disproven conspiracy theory and evangelic Christian beliefs including election denial, climate change hoax, anit-abortion, Covid misinformation, etc. The shooter apparently has a male romantic partner going through gender transition. It all seems like a boiling caldron created out of social medias.

[littlebittybobby]

okay---on anti-social media, it says the alleged suspects weapon is/was allgedly a sporterized bolt-action Mauser chambered in 30.06, wih a scope. It was either modified or was one manufactured to that spec for a country that used 30.06. See--Mausers typically used 9mm. Also, the reported distance of the shot has gotten shorter, since day one. So, yeah--I'm just waiting to see that actual alleged weapon, so we can get all the verifiable details. Yup.