The tragic demise of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, has sparked a wave of controversy, with many on the left appearing to celebrate or insinuate that he had it coming.
This reaction has led to a backlash from those who believe such responses are inappropriate and disrespectful.
According to the Western Journal, a website named "Charlie's Murderers" was established on the night of Kirk's assassination. The site aims to expose those who have used Kirk's death as a cause for celebration or have expressed minimal remorse before suggesting that Kirk somehow deserved his fate.
The website queries, "Is an employee or a student of yours supporting political violence online?" It also claims to have received nearly 20,000 submissions, which will soon be converted into a searchable database, filterable by general location and job industry.
Wired, a publication favored by the left, has expressed concern about the website, arguing that it is being used by "far-right influencers and violent extremists" to expose those who have celebrated Kirk's death.
Wired's concern stems from the fact that some of the individuals disseminating information about Kirk's death celebrators on social media are figures they disapprove of, such as Chaya Raichik, who runs the LibsofTikTok account, Laura Loomer, a Trump supporter, and Enrique Tarrio, a former Proud Boy leader.
The website's impact has been immediate and terrifying for some, such as Rachel Gilmore, an independent journalist at Bubble Pop Media. Gilmore, who expressed concern about the potential for Kirk's death to radicalize his supporters, has reportedly received threats since her inclusion on the website.
She told Wired, "This website has me genuinely afraid for my safety. I feel awful for anyone whose name is on it. Its clear that the purpose of the website is to do exactly what the post that landed me on there warned Kirks supporters might do: retaliate."
The list also includes several public school teachers, college professors, and first responders who have made controversial comments about Kirk's death. For instance, a Pennsylvania educator lamented "MAGA bulls***" and said conservatives "will reap what they sow" after the shooting.
A DePaul University communications professor said that "he died, as he lived: a throbbing hemorrhoid in the rectum of civil society". A New Orleans Fire Department employee said, "I think he should be forced to carry that bullet in his body. That bullet has a right to be there because its a gift from god," presumably in response to Kirk's pro-life beliefs.
Wired's response to the website and the posts it highlights is indicative of a broader issue. The publication claims that many of the posts did not glorify or promote violence, yet it lists several that either celebrated Kirk's death or suggested it was inconsequential. This raises questions about the standards of discourse and the extent to which political bias can influence perceptions of what constitutes acceptable behavior.
The situation underscores the need for accountability and respect in political discourse. While it is crucial to uphold freedom of speech, it is equally important to ensure that this freedom is not used to promote hatred or violence. Those who have made inappropriate comments about Kirk's death must be held accountable for their words. If they did not want to face the consequences of their statements, they should not have made them in the first place.
The controversy surrounding Kirk's death and the subsequent reactions highlight the deep divisions within American society. It is a stark reminder of the need for conservatives to stand firm in their principles and values, even in the face of adversity. While striving for perfection may be an admirable goal, it is more important to be good and to stand up against those who promote wickedness.
The situation also underscores the need for conservatives to use the tools available to them to hold those on the left accountable. This does not mean condoning evil behavior, but rather demanding accountability based on the standards established by the left. Until the left dismantles the web of doxing and finger-pointing, conservatives have every right to call out those who openly support wickedness.
The tragic death of Charlie Kirk and the subsequent reactions serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within American society. It is a call to action for conservatives to stand firm in their principles and values, even in the face of adversity.
It is a call for accountability, respect, and decency in political discourse. It is a call for a return to the traditional values that have long been the bedrock of conservative ideology.
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