Don't take it personally. And really, nothing we say online is necessary, unless we're the person issuing tornado warnings. And as perhaps a favorite quotable, Buddha, is famous for "Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?"
Our divided country is so so controversial. Why label Robinson, the killer of Kirk? The Republican gov of Utah had, imo, good things to say, however, he labeled the killer a leftist. We don't know that. Just because he's romantically living w/ a trans isn't proof. A good # of Republicans aren't at all opposed to gays, they support equal rights, gay marriage, etc. There are gays who support Trump (just 1 for example, her name is Caitlin Jenner).
On the other side, apparently the far left aren't wanting to "own" the killer. “In fact, the alleged shooter was not someone on the left,” Heather Cox Richardson wrote on Saturday. “The alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, is a young white man from a Republican, gun enthusiast family, who appears to have embraced the far right, disliking Kirk for being insufficiently radical.” Richardson is a professional historian, not to mention the single most popular politics author on Substack. That she would blithely assert as fact a claim as unproven, dubious, tendentious, and inflammatory as the killer was not someone on the left should make her readers reluctant to trust anything else she’s written, professionally or otherwise.
As far as Trump & anyone thinking any conspiracy behind it - arrrrggghhhhhhhhhhh.
The Unabomber was left-wing. The Weather Underground was clearly left-wing. Timothy McVeigh was clearly right wing. But Robinson’s motivation seems to be more purely personal than ideological.... EVERYTHING these days has to be political, hmmmm? NO it doesn't. BUT both sides are doing it. STOP it.
I think this portion of HCR’s column adds the necessary context you omitted. It gives context to the portion of her column you disparaged. Did you read the entire article?
“Rather than grappling with reality, right-wing figures are using Kirk’s murder to prop up their fictional world. Briefly, they claimed Robinson had been “radicalized” in college. Then, when it turned out he had spent only a single semester at a liberal arts college before going to trade school, MAGA pivoted to attack those who allegedly had celebrated Kirk’s death on social media.
This morning, Miller posted: “In recent days we have learned just how many Americans in positions of authority—child services, law clerks, hospital nurses, teachers, gov[ernmen]t workers, even [Department of Defense] employees—have been deeply and violently radicalized. The consequence of a vast, organized ecosystem of indoctrination.””
"Long ago, there was a noble word, liberal, which derives from the word free. Now a strange thing happened to that word. A man named Hitler made it a term of abuse, a matter of suspicion, because those who were not with him were against him, and liberals had no use for Hitler. And then another man named McCarthy cast the same opprobrium on the word ... We must cherish and honor the word free or it will cease to apply to us."
TIME, yes indeed. Three questions to ask yourself before speaking: Does this need saying? , Does this need saying now?, Does this need saying by me? If any three answers are NO, you might consider letting the thought pass on by, maybe for another time, maybe not. Time devoted to piffle might feel worthwhile while it is anything but.
My dad gave me 2 pieces of advice: Any job worth doing is a job worth doing well and No one is better than you but remember you are no better than anyone else either. He meant that from a societal point of view and not ability. We were discussing racism and how all are equal
Why is the reaction in the US always to sue? Can they not allow variance of opinions any more? Kimmel is an entertainer, they make comments to get a reaction. I think putting him on hiatus is a big mistake, same with cancelling Stephen Colbert. Citizens should not have to fear stating opinions about elected officials, positive or negative.
Melanie’s Trump wore a really ugly dress to the state dinner; she should fire her stylist.
My favourite saying? Thoughts become things, so choose good ones.
P.S. haha this is the truth. I asked my husband, who is the person sitting nearby who is wearing the crown? he had to tell me it was Camellia the queen oh, little do I know —-I don’t follow such things… and what did you think of her gown so to speak can I go ssssssppppttsst - how is that spelled?
I always thought Camilla was pretty dowdy, can’t dress that up, she just looks decrepit to me. The difference between her and Katherine is very obvious.
I agree what is going on with Jimmy is a mistake. We are well on the slippery slope, likely further than we think.
#3. identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc
#6. Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
# 13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
One saying I learned via going to my late husbands open AA meetings with him was, “ What other people think of me is none of my business”. Another saying came from my favorite actor, Sam Heughan, who said to “Stop trying to impress other people.” Thankfully I finally realized both those things as I grew into my 40’s. Both are very freeing.
A good friend of mine told me a couple of weeks ago this and I like it and it applies to the apology thought. "I do not let myself get mad at someone for more than 30 seconds. I don't like what they said or did, and I reflect on this briefly - no more than 30 seconds. Then I stop letting it affect me and my life. In many cases they don't know they have offended me or made me upset, and those who know this generally do not give it another thought. By dwelling on this event, it only affects me and others likely are enjoying their lives." Good thought for me. Trying to practice this, however in some cases this is difficult for me - and I am sure it is for others. Works for him.
Who dat?
Don't take it personally. And really, nothing we say online is necessary, unless we're the person issuing tornado warnings. And as perhaps a favorite quotable, Buddha, is famous for "Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?"
Our divided country is so so controversial. Why label Robinson, the killer of Kirk? The Republican gov of Utah had, imo, good things to say, however, he labeled the killer a leftist. We don't know that. Just because he's romantically living w/ a trans isn't proof. A good # of Republicans aren't at all opposed to gays, they support equal rights, gay marriage, etc. There are gays who support Trump (just 1 for example, her name is Caitlin Jenner).
On the other side, apparently the far left aren't wanting to "own" the killer. “In fact, the alleged shooter was not someone on the left,” Heather Cox Richardson wrote on Saturday. “The alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, is a young white man from a Republican, gun enthusiast family, who appears to have embraced the far right, disliking Kirk for being insufficiently radical.” Richardson is a professional historian, not to mention the single most popular politics author on Substack. That she would blithely assert as fact a claim as unproven, dubious, tendentious, and inflammatory as the killer was not someone on the left should make her readers reluctant to trust anything else she’s written, professionally or otherwise.
As far as Trump & anyone thinking any conspiracy behind it - arrrrggghhhhhhhhhhh.
The Unabomber was left-wing. The Weather Underground was clearly left-wing. Timothy McVeigh was clearly right wing. But Robinson’s motivation seems to be more purely personal than ideological.... EVERYTHING these days has to be political, hmmmm? NO it doesn't. BUT both sides are doing it. STOP it.
I think this portion of HCR’s column adds the necessary context you omitted. It gives context to the portion of her column you disparaged. Did you read the entire article?
“Rather than grappling with reality, right-wing figures are using Kirk’s murder to prop up their fictional world. Briefly, they claimed Robinson had been “radicalized” in college. Then, when it turned out he had spent only a single semester at a liberal arts college before going to trade school, MAGA pivoted to attack those who allegedly had celebrated Kirk’s death on social media.
This morning, Miller posted: “In recent days we have learned just how many Americans in positions of authority—child services, law clerks, hospital nurses, teachers, gov[ernmen]t workers, even [Department of Defense] employees—have been deeply and violently radicalized. The consequence of a vast, organized ecosystem of indoctrination.””
"Long ago, there was a noble word, liberal, which derives from the word free. Now a strange thing happened to that word. A man named Hitler made it a term of abuse, a matter of suspicion, because those who were not with him were against him, and liberals had no use for Hitler. And then another man named McCarthy cast the same opprobrium on the word ... We must cherish and honor the word free or it will cease to apply to us."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
“You should think of your TIME & energy as if it’s expensive, as if it’s a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.”
The older I get the more I adjust my perspective. I’m sure Taylor would appreciate my edit, if not now then one day!
TIME, yes indeed. Three questions to ask yourself before speaking: Does this need saying? , Does this need saying now?, Does this need saying by me? If any three answers are NO, you might consider letting the thought pass on by, maybe for another time, maybe not. Time devoted to piffle might feel worthwhile while it is anything but.
My dad gave me 2 pieces of advice: Any job worth doing is a job worth doing well and No one is better than you but remember you are no better than anyone else either. He meant that from a societal point of view and not ability. We were discussing racism and how all are equal
My parents said the same thing! Good words to live by. I have worked for some really rich people. They had the same problems I did, only more so.
Why is the reaction in the US always to sue? Can they not allow variance of opinions any more? Kimmel is an entertainer, they make comments to get a reaction. I think putting him on hiatus is a big mistake, same with cancelling Stephen Colbert. Citizens should not have to fear stating opinions about elected officials, positive or negative.
Melanie’s Trump wore a really ugly dress to the state dinner; she should fire her stylist.
My favourite saying? Thoughts become things, so choose good ones.
Oh but The Smothers Brothers did so much, so much better
P.S. haha this is the truth. I asked my husband, who is the person sitting nearby who is wearing the crown? he had to tell me it was Camellia the queen oh, little do I know —-I don’t follow such things… and what did you think of her gown so to speak can I go ssssssppppttsst - how is that spelled?
I always thought Camilla was pretty dowdy, can’t dress that up, she just looks decrepit to me. The difference between her and Katherine is very obvious.
I agree what is going on with Jimmy is a mistake. We are well on the slippery slope, likely further than we think.
#3. identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc
#6. Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
# 13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
One saying I learned via going to my late husbands open AA meetings with him was, “ What other people think of me is none of my business”. Another saying came from my favorite actor, Sam Heughan, who said to “Stop trying to impress other people.” Thankfully I finally realized both those things as I grew into my 40’s. Both are very freeing.
Taylor Swift may be the biggest showgirl in the world today.
But in 1950s Dallas, Candy Barr with the Burlesque girl that captured everyone’s attention.
She captured both my Daddy and Mama’s.
And, as family lore tells it, she left both a lasting gift, and a decent into madness.
Read about it Saturday on my substack.
A good friend of mine told me a couple of weeks ago this and I like it and it applies to the apology thought. "I do not let myself get mad at someone for more than 30 seconds. I don't like what they said or did, and I reflect on this briefly - no more than 30 seconds. Then I stop letting it affect me and my life. In many cases they don't know they have offended me or made me upset, and those who know this generally do not give it another thought. By dwelling on this event, it only affects me and others likely are enjoying their lives." Good thought for me. Trying to practice this, however in some cases this is difficult for me - and I am sure it is for others. Works for him.