My quick 2 cents on the attempted presidential shooting because this is the internet:
First, I condemn any and all political violence. It’s no secret that I strongly dislike Donald Trump. But I wish him a swift physical and psychological recovery. There is no place for it in American politics.
But secondly, It’s weird to me that when mobs of people stormed the capitol, killed 5 people, and were explicitly looking for certain politicians (Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi, etc), so many of the people right now who are screaming that the rhetoric has gone too far were completely silent, and have made no attempt to reprimand Trump for the rhetoric that obviously was responsible for it.
When Paul Pelosi was attacked with a hammer, Trump mocked the Pelosis for it publicly. Meanwhile I have seen nothing but good wishes from current Democrat leadership (Pelosi included) towards the former president.
When Gretchen Whitmer had an attempted kidnapping plot against her by domestic right wing terrorists. Complete Silence.
American political violence has been happening publicly for a while now. This is not some freak incident.
Finally, I do want to say that I think a lot of people, left and right are jumping way too fast on motives. Let the investigation run its course.
Like, I don’t think it’s a hoax, I think that Trump, even though I dislike him, is respectably an entertainer. Wouldn’t put it past him to use that broken teleprompter glass for a photo op. But he was definitely shot at. Use Occam’s razor. There’s a dead body and loads of eye-witnesses. Probably not a hoax.
But furthermore, everything I have read about the shooter suggests more that he’s a school shooter type, than a politically motivated left wing extremist. The last presidential assassination attempt was from an incel who was trying to impress Jodie Foster. This shooter’s most recent political activity was registering as a Republican.
DJT has pissed off outrageous amounts of people on both sides. He’s orchestrated scams that have robbed many believers of their life savings, made incredibly insulting jokes of powerful people on both sides, and has authoritarian rhetoric and policy positions that should make right wing libertarians a little on edge. I’m just saying that there are loads of potential motivations I could see being given. He has no shortage of enemies. Once again. Let the investigation run its course
Ultimately, if the fact that gun violence is the number one killer of children in this country hasn’t motivated enough people to change their policy, why should I change mine?
I want the Democrats to beat Trumpism and the rise of far right authoritarianism with democratic values and policy proposals that mobilize voters to the booths on election day. I don’t want violence. I want honorable victory. Get well soon, so we can beat you in November the right way.
