Thanks, Lisa. Keep writing and talking. Outside of Brooklyn, most people agree with you or at least some of your ideas and analysis. Can your family take a sabbatical to Ogden, Utah or North Platte, Nebraska, or anywhere in Texas except Austin? It might do you all good to break out of your geographical bubble.
I respected Charlie Kirk as a self educated man, a Christian who knew the Hebrew Bible, a critical thinker, quite fast on his feet, able to counter hypocrisy. He inspired a new generation to hope in the dream of a good life, family and civility in society. Generally, he refrained from disdain or disrespect towards those who stepped up to the microphone and accused him, disrespected his movement and made specious claims. His body of work will be renowned and I imagine his funeral will be a state affair, with speeches skewering the Left for their outrageous rhetoric, which they continue as I write. I didn't agree with all of his positions but I respected him and I know if I'd met him, he would have respected me. I don't miss anything about Park Slope or Prospect Park, where I worked and played for 30 years. I'll be lighting a lot of memorial candles tonight, this Sept. 11 exactly 24 years later.
Lisa, that was a great perspective on how your world sees us! I am from a different world; flyover country, graduate of state university and medical schools, and Navy retiree. Keep writing; I appreciate your tales from the dark side…
The rifle was recovered in the woods and trans ideology along with anti fascist was imprinted on the rifle itself, according to WSJ via FBI update. So now there will be even more anti rhetoric on trans rather than honest evaluation. Of course having those messages imlro printed on ones gun does not automatically mean shooter is trans. I have no one in my family to discuss this. I sent a screenshot to my daughter and all she said was "yeah, saw that, crazy". Ugh. But I have a great group of girlfriends who all have heavy hearts right now. Thank God I can turn to them.
I went to a braver angels meeting yesterday and it was inspiring to meet people who wanted to build bridges from both parties. Thank you for mentioning this organization. I learned more skills for having better conversations with my family and friends who see things in a different way than me.
I knew nothing of Charlie Kirk, so I am more or less a blank slate here. All I can say is that a young husband and father was gunned down because he said things people didn't like. That doesn't sound good to me.
Even if - and again I have no idea - he said outrageous and provocative things and even if he had profit motives that surpassed a true desire to have useful debates - he did not deserve to be killed. We are in a very dangerous time when people are murdered for their words. I don't have (or want) a BlueSky account so I don't know what that link you supplied said, but the fact that anyone would celebrate Kirk's murder, even if they thought he was a jerk (the most polite word I could think of), is quite horrifying.
Look at the videos Lisa linked. Looks like he invited people to debate him and listened to them respectfully and then gave his opinion....basically a blueprint for how a good person behaves....
In a November 2023 issue of The Atlantic, McKay Coppins wrote a sentence that keeps haunting me: "How long can a democracy last when its elected leaders live in fear of physical violence from their constituents?"
He wrote that in response to something Mitt Romney said to him as part of his article, and it was specifically talking about elected politicians. But I'm worried we're on a quick trajectory of being able to say that about anyone who expresses a political view at all. Change the original wording to, "How long can a democracy last when its citizens live in fear of physical violence from their fellow citizens because they've expressed their political views?" Two years ago (when the article was written) it was elected leaders. Yesterday it was an activist and media personality. How soon until it's regular to hear of neighbors shooting neighbors over their political views?
When I first saw the beginning of this piece, my immediate reaction was, oh heck no. But I read it anyway, and I think you’re right. Kirk had ideas I strongly disagreed with, but he was a debater. He should have been defeated in debate, not gunned down. What worries me now is that his death may be used to harm people. I hope I’m wrong.
If Charlie Kirk was so devoted to talking across differences, then why was he such a huge supporter of Donald tRump?
To me this makes little to no sense. Perhaps Kirk listened to people with whom he disagreed only to argue with them and try to convince them he was right? With his own thinking sunk deep in religious righteousness, not to mention his huge influence and the huge sums he earned for speaking engagements, I guess this was a brand he profited from.
Anyone with a truly open mind would not support tRump because tRump is an advocate of violence, cruelty and degradation.
No doubt, tRump will use this murder as an excuse for authoritarian excesses. Already ordering flags to fly at half mast is incredible given how many Americans, many children, are murdered all the time through horrific gun violence.
I agree, I thought their alliance was unfortunate. Maybe he wasn't a believer in free speech—maybe he was just trying to accomplish the realization of his worldview in a different way. Still, it was a better way.
I should say that I'm very sorry he died and I'm very sorry someone was driven to kill him. There are so many losses in this sad event. May peace be kindled in all of us survivors.
I keep listening to Dust In The Wind on repeat this morning.
Not to wallow in silence, but to give grief voice and resonance, the way a chapel gives shape to a prayer.
Charlie Kirk’s death leaves a mark because he was a figure of courage not defiance.
He insisted on speaking when he knew the cost could be high.
That is what courage is: not bravado, but a willingness to risk everything for the sake of what you believe must be said.
In that sense, he belongs to the long line of people who refused to be cowed — and who paid with their lives.
And Charlie was right: without courage, life collapses into routine, into dust before its time.
Courage is what animates us, what lifts human beings above the drift of the hours.
Charlie made that his theme, and his death makes the point all the more starkly.
Bearing witness — remembering, naming, refusing to let murder be trivialized or explained away — is itself an act of courage. It is not glamorous. It is not loud. But it is part of the same fabric.
Remember Charlie,
Because, “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky…”
I think he was a foul man, truly awful, and any solid point he ever landed spoke to the poverty of liberal discourse. But I wouldn't have wished for his assassination. And now that it's happened, I'm not sanguine about the blowback.
You can talk to me, Lisa! I suspect I disagree with most of your politics, but we are firmly in agreement on gender ideology, women, girls, children, vulnerable young people, the medical scandal, exposing the coverup, censorship, free speech, civil discourse, being curious and finding a civilized way through to people’s sensibilities. Speaking reality.
I read and enjoy the wisdom in everything you write and I look forward to Informed Dissent every Friday. Love your discussions and input.
I would love to introduce myself in Albuquerque! This is a wonderful piece on Charlie Kirk. I can’t stop crying - for him, his family, his children and the Country. He was bringing the ideals of the foundations of this Country to life. Inviting open debate and asking for the opportunity to PERSUADE people using words. But that is terrifying to leftist ideology and so they tell us, and teach our children that words are violence. And here we are.
Thanks, Lisa. Keep writing and talking. Outside of Brooklyn, most people agree with you or at least some of your ideas and analysis. Can your family take a sabbatical to Ogden, Utah or North Platte, Nebraska, or anywhere in Texas except Austin? It might do you all good to break out of your geographical bubble.
I respected Charlie Kirk as a self educated man, a Christian who knew the Hebrew Bible, a critical thinker, quite fast on his feet, able to counter hypocrisy. He inspired a new generation to hope in the dream of a good life, family and civility in society. Generally, he refrained from disdain or disrespect towards those who stepped up to the microphone and accused him, disrespected his movement and made specious claims. His body of work will be renowned and I imagine his funeral will be a state affair, with speeches skewering the Left for their outrageous rhetoric, which they continue as I write. I didn't agree with all of his positions but I respected him and I know if I'd met him, he would have respected me. I don't miss anything about Park Slope or Prospect Park, where I worked and played for 30 years. I'll be lighting a lot of memorial candles tonight, this Sept. 11 exactly 24 years later.
Lisa, that was a great perspective on how your world sees us! I am from a different world; flyover country, graduate of state university and medical schools, and Navy retiree. Keep writing; I appreciate your tales from the dark side…
Thanks for being from a different world and joining me here.
The rifle was recovered in the woods and trans ideology along with anti fascist was imprinted on the rifle itself, according to WSJ via FBI update. So now there will be even more anti rhetoric on trans rather than honest evaluation. Of course having those messages imlro printed on ones gun does not automatically mean shooter is trans. I have no one in my family to discuss this. I sent a screenshot to my daughter and all she said was "yeah, saw that, crazy". Ugh. But I have a great group of girlfriends who all have heavy hearts right now. Thank God I can turn to them.
I went to a braver angels meeting yesterday and it was inspiring to meet people who wanted to build bridges from both parties. Thank you for mentioning this organization. I learned more skills for having better conversations with my family and friends who see things in a different way than me.
I knew nothing of Charlie Kirk, so I am more or less a blank slate here. All I can say is that a young husband and father was gunned down because he said things people didn't like. That doesn't sound good to me.
Even if - and again I have no idea - he said outrageous and provocative things and even if he had profit motives that surpassed a true desire to have useful debates - he did not deserve to be killed. We are in a very dangerous time when people are murdered for their words. I don't have (or want) a BlueSky account so I don't know what that link you supplied said, but the fact that anyone would celebrate Kirk's murder, even if they thought he was a jerk (the most polite word I could think of), is quite horrifying.
Look at the videos Lisa linked. Looks like he invited people to debate him and listened to them respectfully and then gave his opinion....basically a blueprint for how a good person behaves....
In a November 2023 issue of The Atlantic, McKay Coppins wrote a sentence that keeps haunting me: "How long can a democracy last when its elected leaders live in fear of physical violence from their constituents?"
He wrote that in response to something Mitt Romney said to him as part of his article, and it was specifically talking about elected politicians. But I'm worried we're on a quick trajectory of being able to say that about anyone who expresses a political view at all. Change the original wording to, "How long can a democracy last when its citizens live in fear of physical violence from their fellow citizens because they've expressed their political views?" Two years ago (when the article was written) it was elected leaders. Yesterday it was an activist and media personality. How soon until it's regular to hear of neighbors shooting neighbors over their political views?
When I first saw the beginning of this piece, my immediate reaction was, oh heck no. But I read it anyway, and I think you’re right. Kirk had ideas I strongly disagreed with, but he was a debater. He should have been defeated in debate, not gunned down. What worries me now is that his death may be used to harm people. I hope I’m wrong.
If Charlie Kirk was so devoted to talking across differences, then why was he such a huge supporter of Donald tRump?
To me this makes little to no sense. Perhaps Kirk listened to people with whom he disagreed only to argue with them and try to convince them he was right? With his own thinking sunk deep in religious righteousness, not to mention his huge influence and the huge sums he earned for speaking engagements, I guess this was a brand he profited from.
Anyone with a truly open mind would not support tRump because tRump is an advocate of violence, cruelty and degradation.
No doubt, tRump will use this murder as an excuse for authoritarian excesses. Already ordering flags to fly at half mast is incredible given how many Americans, many children, are murdered all the time through horrific gun violence.
I agree, I thought their alliance was unfortunate. Maybe he wasn't a believer in free speech—maybe he was just trying to accomplish the realization of his worldview in a different way. Still, it was a better way.
I should say that I'm very sorry he died and I'm very sorry someone was driven to kill him. There are so many losses in this sad event. May peace be kindled in all of us survivors.
I keep listening to Dust In The Wind on repeat this morning.
Not to wallow in silence, but to give grief voice and resonance, the way a chapel gives shape to a prayer.
Charlie Kirk’s death leaves a mark because he was a figure of courage not defiance.
He insisted on speaking when he knew the cost could be high.
That is what courage is: not bravado, but a willingness to risk everything for the sake of what you believe must be said.
In that sense, he belongs to the long line of people who refused to be cowed — and who paid with their lives.
And Charlie was right: without courage, life collapses into routine, into dust before its time.
Courage is what animates us, what lifts human beings above the drift of the hours.
Charlie made that his theme, and his death makes the point all the more starkly.
Bearing witness — remembering, naming, refusing to let murder be trivialized or explained away — is itself an act of courage. It is not glamorous. It is not loud. But it is part of the same fabric.
Remember Charlie,
Because, “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky…”
In the end, we are all dust.
Be brave now- while it counts.
Like Charlie Kirk.♥️💔♥️
Thank you, you nailed it :)
I think he was a foul man, truly awful, and any solid point he ever landed spoke to the poverty of liberal discourse. But I wouldn't have wished for his assassination. And now that it's happened, I'm not sanguine about the blowback.
I had not seen him talk til your video links. What an awful loss for us all.
You can talk to me, Lisa! I suspect I disagree with most of your politics, but we are firmly in agreement on gender ideology, women, girls, children, vulnerable young people, the medical scandal, exposing the coverup, censorship, free speech, civil discourse, being curious and finding a civilized way through to people’s sensibilities. Speaking reality.
I read and enjoy the wisdom in everything you write and I look forward to Informed Dissent every Friday. Love your discussions and input.
I would love to introduce myself in Albuquerque! This is a wonderful piece on Charlie Kirk. I can’t stop crying - for him, his family, his children and the Country. He was bringing the ideals of the foundations of this Country to life. Inviting open debate and asking for the opportunity to PERSUADE people using words. But that is terrifying to leftist ideology and so they tell us, and teach our children that words are violence. And here we are.