"Let's make the world a better place. Let's shoot Charlie Kirk!" is not something that ever crawled off the lips or fingers of any leftie I'd know or associate with. It has made the world demonstrably worse. But the real heat here is going to go hard on Nick Fuentes and I'm here for it ;)
Believe me, guys, I was snarky _AF_ the day he was shot. I said the bullet, once entering his head and finding nothing further worth destroying, was disappointed ;). Treasonous slander I'm sure ;)
Woah there, Rick. You going all “Scarborough” on us? I paid good $ to subscribe and now you doing the “both sides” gig? Fear , or is that what you actually believe? Worse, maybe just backing off a bit and think you can keep your paying subscribers?
The Hortman assassination/murder should have been a national alarm bell—a rallying point of a magnitude comparable to the paroxysm of grief and anger over Kirk's murder. Instead, it’s been overshadowed by the death of a man who:
> Advocated violent authoritarianism,
> Dehumanized fellow citizens,
> Was not an elected official, nor representative of the political mainstream.
Tis asymmetry is not just unjust—it’s dangerous. It lets the right claim victimhood, set the tone, and further dismantle public trust while the left squanders moments that demand moral clarity.
Somehow everybody rushing to deplore political violence who'd never be associated with political violence in the first place don't realize it just makes them look guilty.
Say no to the gaslighting. Tell them you're sorry Charlie Kirk's not around to laugh at any more ;)
It is and old and tired ploy these Kirk like influencers pull. They deamonize every minority that they can and then claim the teary-eyed victim when there is push back against the vileness they so enjoy pushing. Similar to the person who plots to kill his parents, kills them, then claims victimhood for being made an orphan. It is tiresome but unfortunately effective.
I do wish we had a society that promoted the the potential for all instead of tearing down what we have built. But, don't ever stop calling out the vileness, the self destructiveness, the anti democratic and nihilism of those seeking power through for selfish reasons. Trump and MAGA are not to be given a pass for their efforts to end this democracy and for the nihilism they espouse.
I had my political awakening with Nixon's disgrace, so I'm too young to have been a hippie peace protester but not by much. I remember the era very clearly. There were a number of Marxist terrorist groups in the late 60s / early 70s. The Weather Underground robbed banks and was involved in the killing of at least one police officer. They accidentally blew up a NYC townhouse they were building bombs in. The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst and got her to cosplay as a gun toting rebel for a couple months.
They never developed the kind of body count that right wing terrorists have amassed starting with abortion clinic bombings in the 70s, but there was indeed an anti-government left-wing insurgency movement bent on violent government overthrow in that era.
It's not bothsiderist to point that out in passing.
It seems the only group who could hate Charlie Kirk to the point of wishing death on him and mean it (we lefties valued him too much as a buffoon) are the Groypers, who indict Kirk for, among other sins not least his support for Israel, being a sellout. A white nat squish, if you will.
And it turns out his shooter was a Groyper. That's what the ol' spidey sense told me from Jump Street ;)
Why would anyone be surprised? If you can split the MAGA manosphere into gym bros and incels, Groypers are on the incel side of the scale. Groypers are the 98lb weaklings of MAGA. The worst kind of white supremacists are always shriveled little whelps like Stephen Miller. And gender of intimates shouldn't even factor into it. Every time CPAC pulls into town, Grindr crashes ;)
Not to kink shame anyone, but it's no surprise that the most vicious ethnosupremacists tend to be on the bottom side of the pervert equation. Groypers are a trans-curious subculture and trans dating is common. Don't you imagine that Stephen Miller wants to be spanked hard by a Chad? ;)
I mean, look, there was that extremely weird transhumanist death cult, the Zizians, led by trans people. Being trans can associate with bad stuff.
All I'm saying is that if you can concoct a stand-alone, essentially genocidal ideology and aim at it, say, homeless people, don't be surprised when it's aimed back at you for targeting the wrong group of friends.
Ok, let's put a few things in perspective...Mr. Kirk did not 'walk on water. Too many on the right are trying to score political points, over dramatize or weaponize the situation and too many are incensed and overly emotional to the point that Kirk's allies warn Americans: mourn him properly or else...repubs warn against mocking Kirk's death and threaten dire consequences.
WTAF...this lionization and adoration is nothing short of forced 'martyrdom' and I will not be cowed, frightened by these threats of violence or intimidated or overawed. So, to MAGA of all stripes, I say : 'WAVE HIS BLOODY SHIRT,' if you must.... but leave me the hell out of it. I choose my own path.
BTW - As I have heard, I find it risible to think that Mr. Kirk should be shown 'lying in state' in the congressional rotunda...'jus' sayin'...
I am one who simply can't be gaslit. My conscience is 110% clear on never advocating violence. Despite having a scabrous sense of humor, a delight in colorful rhetoric and (perhaps) inappropriately sexualized imagery which I love to use against my favorite cretins, but which nobody would confuse with being _literal_ about these things ;)
Did I laugh at Charlie Kirk for having a face way too small for his head? HELL yes. Did I laugh at his "masterdebation" grift as skewered in South Park? You know it. (Sadly, it seems South Park apparently yielded to propriety or something and took down their recent Charlie Kirk episode.)
But News Flash, folks. Unless you're some kind of extremely eccentric weirdo (stay tuned), you don't waste any energy wishing death on Charlie Kirk.
I didn't want to respond to this in your other threads, but this made me re-read Rick's introduction to the video. Rick mentioned left-wing extremism once, in the beginning as throat clearing, and then every single example he cited was right-wing extremist violence.
I don't think it's fair to ding him for bothsiderism for it.
Well, there it is: the condemnation of a work by another commentator, followed, reluctantly, by the admission that the condemnation is based on a snippet.
Not even of the piece itself, but an introduction.
If this is the way that you think, I guess I can skip your newsletter, based on the snippet of your reasoning power you revealed here.
If the lead-in to a story or a book or or a movie/TV show, or in this case a video is something you find absurd and objectionable ... do you always read/watch anyway? And if you say 'yes', I'd challenge that
"From right-wing radicals to left-wing extremists, the rhetoric of hate has turned deadly"
Tremendous both sidesism. Well done
Did Smerconish hack your account? Cillizza? Chuck Todd? Brett Stephens? All of the above?
You're clearly equating the insane, murderous rhetoric and ACTIONS the right wing produces hourly with ... exactly WHO on the left? Bernie? AOC? Joy Reid?
Run that one by Melissa Horstman's family. Or Paul Pelosi. Or any of the American CITIZENS who've been jailed by ICE.
Charlie Kirk, who was completely fucking mainstream in the GOP, wanted to execute political rivals and TELEVISE it. He said women are intellectually inferior to men. Kennedy wants use junk, debunked science to bring back measles and polio. Trump talks daily about Democrats as "scum". His son, still the dumbest of all, posted a picture of a hammer and underwear after Pelosi was attacked.
I could write another 10 pages of their murderous rhetoric and actions.
Spot on Rick: Its unfortunate that the leader does nothing but foment hate, rage and violence. Yes both sides have got to tamp things down. Killing a beloved husband and father of two precious children is not the answer. It is wrong. Agree or disagree with one does not justify murder. Civil discourse is the only way. I feel most of the hate speech and vitriol rhetoric comes from the White House presently. Not a day goes by without disparaging comments spewing out of the presidents mouth. I personally place the blame squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Trump
It's a rare day when I find I don't agree with you. This is one of those rare days. To my knowledge, those of us who profess to be Democrats, do not, will not, and have not extolled and encouraged political violence. Remember what those who now came over to our side from other parties a few years ago, have always said about the traditional Democrats? We're too polite. No, we're not. But somewhere along the line, we believe and follow that old adage of "do no harm." Our "dirty tricks" (even the term is from the other side) does not, has not, will not condone the kind and type of violence we are seeing now from the MAGA and ultraMAGA. I know how hard it is to see this for what it is: An internecine war between MAGA factions for the soul of a dictatorial violent party and the right of ownership. It's time to focus on their violence and not become enamored of the both sides rhetoric. You and we are better than that.
"Let's make the world a better place. Let's shoot Charlie Kirk!" is not something that ever crawled off the lips or fingers of any leftie I'd know or associate with. It has made the world demonstrably worse. But the real heat here is going to go hard on Nick Fuentes and I'm here for it ;)
Believe me, guys, I was snarky _AF_ the day he was shot. I said the bullet, once entering his head and finding nothing further worth destroying, was disappointed ;). Treasonous slander I'm sure ;)
Why are you forcing us to listen to Trump's dead voice? I never listen to that voice. Don't make me.
Woah there, Rick. You going all “Scarborough” on us? I paid good $ to subscribe and now you doing the “both sides” gig? Fear , or is that what you actually believe? Worse, maybe just backing off a bit and think you can keep your paying subscribers?
The Hortman assassination/murder should have been a national alarm bell—a rallying point of a magnitude comparable to the paroxysm of grief and anger over Kirk's murder. Instead, it’s been overshadowed by the death of a man who:
> Advocated violent authoritarianism,
> Dehumanized fellow citizens,
> Was not an elected official, nor representative of the political mainstream.
Tis asymmetry is not just unjust—it’s dangerous. It lets the right claim victimhood, set the tone, and further dismantle public trust while the left squanders moments that demand moral clarity.
Somehow everybody rushing to deplore political violence who'd never be associated with political violence in the first place don't realize it just makes them look guilty.
Say no to the gaslighting. Tell them you're sorry Charlie Kirk's not around to laugh at any more ;)
It is and old and tired ploy these Kirk like influencers pull. They deamonize every minority that they can and then claim the teary-eyed victim when there is push back against the vileness they so enjoy pushing. Similar to the person who plots to kill his parents, kills them, then claims victimhood for being made an orphan. It is tiresome but unfortunately effective.
I do wish we had a society that promoted the the potential for all instead of tearing down what we have built. But, don't ever stop calling out the vileness, the self destructiveness, the anti democratic and nihilism of those seeking power through for selfish reasons. Trump and MAGA are not to be given a pass for their efforts to end this democracy and for the nihilism they espouse.
I love the new format with relevant videos interspersed icymi. Great work, Rick.
Rick…explain to me what blood the left has spilled? Both sides have blood on their hands? Miss me with that bullshit, please.
I had my political awakening with Nixon's disgrace, so I'm too young to have been a hippie peace protester but not by much. I remember the era very clearly. There were a number of Marxist terrorist groups in the late 60s / early 70s. The Weather Underground robbed banks and was involved in the killing of at least one police officer. They accidentally blew up a NYC townhouse they were building bombs in. The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst and got her to cosplay as a gun toting rebel for a couple months.
They never developed the kind of body count that right wing terrorists have amassed starting with abortion clinic bombings in the 70s, but there was indeed an anti-government left-wing insurgency movement bent on violent government overthrow in that era.
It's not bothsiderist to point that out in passing.
40 years ago…the latest example you can give was over 40 years ago.
Just sayin'.
It seems the only group who could hate Charlie Kirk to the point of wishing death on him and mean it (we lefties valued him too much as a buffoon) are the Groypers, who indict Kirk for, among other sins not least his support for Israel, being a sellout. A white nat squish, if you will.
And it turns out his shooter was a Groyper. That's what the ol' spidey sense told me from Jump Street ;)
Because so many Groypers have boyfriends who decide they're really a woman . . .
That's so funny. They are desperately trying to pin this on some kind of trans person. That is just horrible. Leave trans out of it. I hate it here.
Why would anyone be surprised? If you can split the MAGA manosphere into gym bros and incels, Groypers are on the incel side of the scale. Groypers are the 98lb weaklings of MAGA. The worst kind of white supremacists are always shriveled little whelps like Stephen Miller. And gender of intimates shouldn't even factor into it. Every time CPAC pulls into town, Grindr crashes ;)
Point taken!
Not to kink shame anyone, but it's no surprise that the most vicious ethnosupremacists tend to be on the bottom side of the pervert equation. Groypers are a trans-curious subculture and trans dating is common. Don't you imagine that Stephen Miller wants to be spanked hard by a Chad? ;)
I mean, look, there was that extremely weird transhumanist death cult, the Zizians, led by trans people. Being trans can associate with bad stuff.
All I'm saying is that if you can concoct a stand-alone, essentially genocidal ideology and aim at it, say, homeless people, don't be surprised when it's aimed back at you for targeting the wrong group of friends.
Ok, let's put a few things in perspective...Mr. Kirk did not 'walk on water. Too many on the right are trying to score political points, over dramatize or weaponize the situation and too many are incensed and overly emotional to the point that Kirk's allies warn Americans: mourn him properly or else...repubs warn against mocking Kirk's death and threaten dire consequences.
WTAF...this lionization and adoration is nothing short of forced 'martyrdom' and I will not be cowed, frightened by these threats of violence or intimidated or overawed. So, to MAGA of all stripes, I say : 'WAVE HIS BLOODY SHIRT,' if you must.... but leave me the hell out of it. I choose my own path.
BTW - As I have heard, I find it risible to think that Mr. Kirk should be shown 'lying in state' in the congressional rotunda...'jus' sayin'...
Now that it appears that this kid was farther to the right than Kirk, there are solemn hopes that he will find god.
When the right assumed that he was on the left?
Calls for the death penalty.
I regret that I have only one chance to see their faces in Heaven after they learn that God is a liberal ;)
It's pretty much been said...All I can add is HOW DO WE STOP THIS???
I am one who simply can't be gaslit. My conscience is 110% clear on never advocating violence. Despite having a scabrous sense of humor, a delight in colorful rhetoric and (perhaps) inappropriately sexualized imagery which I love to use against my favorite cretins, but which nobody would confuse with being _literal_ about these things ;)
Did I laugh at Charlie Kirk for having a face way too small for his head? HELL yes. Did I laugh at his "masterdebation" grift as skewered in South Park? You know it. (Sadly, it seems South Park apparently yielded to propriety or something and took down their recent Charlie Kirk episode.)
But News Flash, folks. Unless you're some kind of extremely eccentric weirdo (stay tuned), you don't waste any energy wishing death on Charlie Kirk.
I think we can all get behind that. I have zero track record of calling for anyone’s assassination. Most of us here cd correctly say that too
But this piece by Rick is some of the worst both sidesism I’ve ever seen this side of Smerconish.
A terrible column, equating left “extremism” with the daily sewage and calls for violence we’re seeing from the right
Just stunned at this, and from Rick, one of the most consistent voices and vocal critics of the idiocy the GOP is producing
I didn't want to respond to this in your other threads, but this made me re-read Rick's introduction to the video. Rick mentioned left-wing extremism once, in the beginning as throat clearing, and then every single example he cited was right-wing extremist violence.
I don't think it's fair to ding him for bothsiderism for it.
I found his written intro so objectionable, so weak that I couldn’t bring myself to watch the video
Well, there it is: the condemnation of a work by another commentator, followed, reluctantly, by the admission that the condemnation is based on a snippet.
Not even of the piece itself, but an introduction.
If this is the way that you think, I guess I can skip your newsletter, based on the snippet of your reasoning power you revealed here.
Fair criticism
I didn't and won't watch the video
Honest question for you:
If the lead-in to a story or a book or or a movie/TV show, or in this case a video is something you find absurd and objectionable ... do you always read/watch anyway? And if you say 'yes', I'd challenge that
That's where I am with this
Criticism taken
But still won't watch
From my sensibilities, I thought the video was a strong message.
Great work. Thank you.
I can NOT believe what I just read
"From right-wing radicals to left-wing extremists, the rhetoric of hate has turned deadly"
Tremendous both sidesism. Well done
Did Smerconish hack your account? Cillizza? Chuck Todd? Brett Stephens? All of the above?
You're clearly equating the insane, murderous rhetoric and ACTIONS the right wing produces hourly with ... exactly WHO on the left? Bernie? AOC? Joy Reid?
Run that one by Melissa Horstman's family. Or Paul Pelosi. Or any of the American CITIZENS who've been jailed by ICE.
Charlie Kirk, who was completely fucking mainstream in the GOP, wanted to execute political rivals and TELEVISE it. He said women are intellectually inferior to men. Kennedy wants use junk, debunked science to bring back measles and polio. Trump talks daily about Democrats as "scum". His son, still the dumbest of all, posted a picture of a hammer and underwear after Pelosi was attacked.
I could write another 10 pages of their murderous rhetoric and actions.
This is easily the worst POS you've ever written.
Thank you!
Spot on Rick: Its unfortunate that the leader does nothing but foment hate, rage and violence. Yes both sides have got to tamp things down. Killing a beloved husband and father of two precious children is not the answer. It is wrong. Agree or disagree with one does not justify murder. Civil discourse is the only way. I feel most of the hate speech and vitriol rhetoric comes from the White House presently. Not a day goes by without disparaging comments spewing out of the presidents mouth. I personally place the blame squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Trump
Stop with this both sides shit.
This is a right wing problem. Charlie Kirk wasn't some rogue voice - he's MAINSTREAM in the GOP. So is Alex Jones and Bobby Kennedy and Stephen Miller
Who on the left compares with that? Is there a rogue extreme voice or two on the left? Probably. But that's what they are: ROGUE voices.
Thanks Mike: I stand corrected No one on the left is anything like these despots.
It's a rare day when I find I don't agree with you. This is one of those rare days. To my knowledge, those of us who profess to be Democrats, do not, will not, and have not extolled and encouraged political violence. Remember what those who now came over to our side from other parties a few years ago, have always said about the traditional Democrats? We're too polite. No, we're not. But somewhere along the line, we believe and follow that old adage of "do no harm." Our "dirty tricks" (even the term is from the other side) does not, has not, will not condone the kind and type of violence we are seeing now from the MAGA and ultraMAGA. I know how hard it is to see this for what it is: An internecine war between MAGA factions for the soul of a dictatorial violent party and the right of ownership. It's time to focus on their violence and not become enamored of the both sides rhetoric. You and we are better than that.