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B Keck's avatar

After such a horrific event, the calls for unity and statements like “violence is not the answer” are to be expected. Of course that’s the reasonable response. But this appearance of reason can easily turn into a case of “bothsidesism” in which people conclude “we’re all equally at fault.” That’s when I call “bullshit.” If any side is responsible for fomenting violence in this country over the past decade, it’s the Republicans, by a landslide. To suggest anything else ignores the preponderance of evidence and qualifies as classic projection. And yet, a large portion of our population will continue to say “both sides are equally at fault” — and worse, they’ll believe it.

By the way, will the photojournalists who took the Pulitzer-worthy photos of the defiant and heroic Donald Trump that are now being used to sell t-shirts, coffee mugs, and posters receive a cut of the profits? Just asking on behalf of the “fake-news” photojournalists who were also risking their lives by staying in position just so they could do their jobs.

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Sharon Davis's avatar

Excellent analysis of a disturbing event.

Your observation about rally attendees turning on the media is not totally in sync with some reporting that I read. CNN reported that a Trump advance man threw himself on top of them, and they expressed their thanks. I wish that type of action had a bit more notice.

I'm not sure if you read Melania Trump's X post, but it was beautiful and powerful. I think she was an underestimated First Lady. Her post was eloquent and to me, struck the right tone.

This incident presents both Republicans and Democrats with choices--they can continue to hatefully target each other, or, as we've heard ad nauseum since yesterday, lower the temperature. Biden's July 8 statement to 'put Trump in a bullseye'? I'm sure he didn't mean a literal bullseye, but it sure looks bad now. Trump is a fascist. He's Hitler. And on the other side, Biden is the worst president in American history. How much can you hear this stuff and not internalize it? I think it might settle down for a while, but this too, shall pass and before you know it, they'll be back to he old mud slinging.

I'm hopeful and optimistic that this will be a watershed event. My gut tells me that it's bought Joe Biden some time and gives him a chance to look presidential. I'm also thinking that damn near becoming a martyr can't be a bad thing for Trump. I'm betting the roof will blow off that arena in Milwaukee on Thursday night. I'm going to watch Nikki Haley (*sigh*--my girl!) on Tuesday night. Not to mention the Republican VP--ABB (anybody but Burgum).

Ah--politics!!

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