Gonna share this one. I was in my 20s in the 1970s, politically active and very conscious. I often think that you have to be at least 60 years old to remember life in the U.S. before Reagan and the beginning of the downward slide to Trump, the reaction to civil rights and women's rights. How many people younger than that have an image of what (relatively) "normal" might look like? Before mass shootings and fragmented media and the rise of billionaires and the Citizens United decision?
Quick note: while some Minnesota events were cancelled, the organizers for the main rally at the Capitol made the call *not* to cancel the event and that was communicated out to all registrants mid morning.
The governor encouraged people to stay home but 1.5-2x the number of people who showed up for April 5th turned out anyway. And the organizers did a fantastic job, with moments of silence, beautiful music, a massive march and excellent speakers (including AG Ellison).
I wouldn’t say the “culture” has failed to hold violent offenders accountable. This is all coming from TRUMP. He and his wretched followers are the ones pardoning criminals and blaming school shootings on mental health issues.
Appreciated your article. But if we have been too silent and complicit for too long, then the culprits that incite the violence should start getting called out. I would put Steve Bannon near the top of the list; but perhaps others are better informed?
Thank you for writing about who is responsible for the violence afflicting our nation. Republicans and right-wing agitators incite violent actions with their demonization of groups of people, and their constantly unhinged, hateful rhetoric. They have poisoned our discourse, and go unpunished and held unaccountable. I hope a massive backlash against these people, who are allergic to empathy, pushes them out of public office and any popularity online; and they become irrelevant, unlistened to, and fade into obscurity.
Gonna share this one. I was in my 20s in the 1970s, politically active and very conscious. I often think that you have to be at least 60 years old to remember life in the U.S. before Reagan and the beginning of the downward slide to Trump, the reaction to civil rights and women's rights. How many people younger than that have an image of what (relatively) "normal" might look like? Before mass shootings and fragmented media and the rise of billionaires and the Citizens United decision?
Quick note: while some Minnesota events were cancelled, the organizers for the main rally at the Capitol made the call *not* to cancel the event and that was communicated out to all registrants mid morning.
The governor encouraged people to stay home but 1.5-2x the number of people who showed up for April 5th turned out anyway. And the organizers did a fantastic job, with moments of silence, beautiful music, a massive march and excellent speakers (including AG Ellison).
I wouldn’t say the “culture” has failed to hold violent offenders accountable. This is all coming from TRUMP. He and his wretched followers are the ones pardoning criminals and blaming school shootings on mental health issues.
But Trump didn't come out of nowhere. Neither did Project 2025. Neither did the current Republican Party.
Appreciated your article. But if we have been too silent and complicit for too long, then the culprits that incite the violence should start getting called out. I would put Steve Bannon near the top of the list; but perhaps others are better informed?
Thank you for writing about who is responsible for the violence afflicting our nation. Republicans and right-wing agitators incite violent actions with their demonization of groups of people, and their constantly unhinged, hateful rhetoric. They have poisoned our discourse, and go unpunished and held unaccountable. I hope a massive backlash against these people, who are allergic to empathy, pushes them out of public office and any popularity online; and they become irrelevant, unlistened to, and fade into obscurity.
Excellent article
Thank you. I never like rewriting (or starting over!) on publication day but it was necessary given all of the news.