There are always two ways of seeing things. They are not necessarily the right or wrong ways, but simply a different approach to the same subject.
Charlie Kirk looked through the eyes of 'The Christian Right'; whatever that is. I'm sure some of his ideas were probably correct, and others more controversial. That's the way of politics. But you don't go around KILLING people simply because they think differently to you. That is the road to anarchy.
Back in May of this year, Kirk was invited to speak at The Oxford Union; arguably (once) the world's greatest debating society. He was opposed by the current President-elect, George Abaraonye (above), who looked as if he'd just come in from sweeping the streets. Not a form of dress that one associates with the OU!
After Kirk's murder, Abaraonye and several other members of The Oxford Union celebrated his murder in the most unsavoury way. Above is one of Abaraonye's own offerings on X.
Kirk's opponents are very open about this sort of thing, they have no shame in their obnoxious feelings. They openly celebrate the murder of someone who sees things differently to themselves.
When British Labour MP Jo Cox was brutally murdered back in 2016, did right-minded people poke fun and cheer? Of course not. They respected her as a politician, and spoke openly against her murder. They took a decent and educated view of her death. I don't remember hearing even ONE idiotic remark.
One has to wonder why so many 'Democrats' across the world are so happy to celebrate Kirk's killing. I think it says more about them as unpleasant people, rather than Kirk's own policies.
It is worth noting that both Oxford and Cambridge have lost their status as the UK's top two universities. The reason given is their adherence to woke-ism, and 'social engineering'. Maybe their in-take selection process should be reviewed. The Oxford Union itself used to be a most respected institution; it has now become a scruffy outlet for radical buffoonery. Mr Abaraonye himself is studying PPE. Another great institution has bitten the dust!
Some more liberal members of The Oxford Union have initiated disciplinary proceedings against Abaraonye; I trust that they will be successful. He should not hold such a post.
And of course; had The Union been taken-over by extreme Right-wing activists, I would be saying exactly the same thing.
Lifted from the International Business Times:
ReplyDelete"Abaraonye admitted that he 'reacted impulsively' upon hearing of the shooting. He said the comments did not reflect his values and added: 'Nobody deserves to be the victim of political violence. Nobody should be harmed or killed for the views they hold... I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.'
He explained that his reaction was shaped by Kirk's controversial record, pointing to what he described as inflammatory rhetoric on social and political issues. However, he stressed that disagreement with Kirk's views did not justify violence."
I don't know anything about Kirk or what evoked as strong a reaction as to someone shooting him. However, what I do know - and I am not saying it happened on your blog, Cro, but it sure did in the comment boxes of the few blogs I read, that it's perfectly "acceptable" to call for Trump's assassination. Indeed Putin's. Seriously? It disgusts me.
As to the young man's attire you mention: It's perfectly fine. Straight "from sweeping the streets"? Really? Next you'll be demanding his dreadlocks being cut off. Do google him. He wears that which Oxford demands. Not a broom in sight. Anyway, aren't you the litter picker :)?
U
It's very easy to say "Sorry" afterwards; it means nothing. If he hadn't been hauled over the coals for his disgraceful remarks, he wouldn't have apologised. I had a feeling that the 'usual suspects' would be amongst his supporters.
DeleteWhat "usual suspects"? What "supporters"?
DeleteWhen would you say "sorry" but "afterwards"? To say sorry, and mean it, is hard - for most.
I take it that when you were twenty you were as unblemished as the driven snow. You never made a stupid remark you came to regret? You don't even need to be twenty. Forty, sixty, eighty will do.
To declare my hand: Only the other day I gasped at - foot in mouth - what I had just said out loud. If you have never had a moment in your life you wished the earth would swallow you here and now you haven't lived.
A bit of forgiveness, extended to others and ourselves, goes a long way.
U
The more that people like Abaraonye have supporters, the more this country will go to the dogs. We're getting there already, but appeasing vile rhetoric will only help the process along.
DeleteWhilst there are two ways of seeing many things, for some things there are not. For example the COVID vaccination neither changed DNA nor contained a micro chip.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting your one take on the murder of Charlie Kirk was one ridiculous tweet from the p president elect of the Oxford Union. I guess it provided you with the opportunity to criticize “woke”, dress sense and have a Colonel Blimp moment about the country going to the dogs. A pity the President elect wasn’t a woman as it would have afforded you the opportunity to call her “fragrant”.
Seriously though, you don’t remember anyone celebrating Jo Cox’s murder? Well I do.
As to the Kirk murder I think there are far more important takeaways
This comment is so silly I won't even bother with it. I have nothing against people being left-wing, but this is going overboard!
DeleteI thought I was being quite restrained.
DeleteFor you; you were!
DeleteI follow progressive political commentators based in the USA - Lawrence O'Donnell, David Pakman and The Meidas Touch - and there was absolutely NO celebration of Kirk's assassination - just measured reflection.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for that. As we all know some TV people have been sacked, and others reprimanded. There are a lot of nasty, uncaring, people out there.
DeleteI'm just jumping in here to say I've seen none of this supposed "celebrating" of CK death, but I've seen lots of accusations of it. Most of what has been called "celebrating" has been merely the publicizing of CK's own words. He had some very violent, radical, and honestly unhinged viewpoints about anyone who wasn't a far-right Christian nationalist. Truly scary, offensive stuff...but repeating his own words is far from celebrating.
DeleteThere are extreme politicians everywhere, but I would never wish them dead. Perhaps it's been more reported in the UK, as there is little restriction here, but there have been some very nasty comments from the world over.
DeleteI have never heard or read anything by Charlie Kirk, so cannot comment on what he has said. However, in a civilised society, no-one should be assassinated for what they say. Freedom of speech works all ways, we have to accept that it applies equally to all points of view, those we approve of, those we abhor, and those we are indifferent about. And when that speech strays into illegal realms - libel, incitement etc- then there are appropriate measures that can be taken.Our differences should be resolved, if resolution is possible, through discussion and debate, and not through recourse to violence.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, all sides in the political arena today seem to have their "storm trooper" elements, prepared to use intimidation, 'cancelling' and now ultimate violence to crush anyone with a different point of view. This contrasts with my recollections of political debate in the 1960/70/80 eras, at least in the UK there was debate between the various points of view, the protagonists in general accepted that their opponents had opinions valid in their minds, and sought to change that through verbal dialogue. However, to be fair, there were rogue elements then , with assassinations of Martin Luther King, several Kennedy's.
I suspect that the nature of social media, with it's limitations on length of post and anonymity, is not helpful in this respect, people make posts on-line that they would not do face-to-face.
He was a bigoted man who bullied
ReplyDeleteBut he had a right to say his piece safely
Unfortunately in the US that right is being eroded
Will, I agree with you entirely, and I'm astounded that others don't think the same. There is a horrible intolerance around that just gets worse and worse. Just look at some of the comments above.
DeleteJohn. Everyone has the right to be heard; even if we don't listen. The US does seem to be losing the right to free speech. I just hope we don't go down the same road here.
DeleteI agree with John. He was a bigot who cloaked his bigotry in Bible verses. Have a look at what he said. it is terrible he was murdered. It is also awful that his murder is being used to stifle free speech and freedom of the press.
DeleteHe certainly wasn't liked amongst 'The Left', but that's no reason to kill someone, and for others to celebrate it.
DeleteAs I said, it was terrible he was murdered. Also terrible that his murder was shown on social media
DeleteFreedom of speech is on the line in the US. Censorship is on the rise.
ReplyDeleteI did not relate to CK. That said, he had the right to his opinions, just as we all do.
It has been published that the 22-year-old assassin came from a conservative family. It appears that his views were in flux, and he seemed more nihilist.
We all need to be more tolerant. Even amongst the comments above I've been accused by a Left Wing commentator of wanting Abaraonye's dreadlocks cut off. This sort of political racism, and false reporting, is everywhere. It really has to stop.
DeleteIt appalls me that cults call themselves Christian. Theologically speaking according to Christian dogma there can be no such thing as Christian right or Christian left. Also it is fairly well known that Christianity does not support hatred of others. So to wave a Bible about and then declare you hate your opponents means you cannot be taken seriously in declaring yourself to be a Christian.
ReplyDeleteI must say, it did have me confused. But in the US they are almost obliged to mention 'God' all the time. If a politician did that in the UK, they'd be laughed at.
DeletePointing out that the shooting death of a person who preached that mass shootings are a reasonable price to pay for the freedom to bear arms is simply the logical consequence of his own belief system is not the same as celebrating his death. He died as he lived. So be it.
ReplyDelete