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Kitchen Table Kibitzing: I resent being expected to state the obvious [1]
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Date: 2025-09-13
TV pundits and Dem politicians are falling all over themselves to declare trollish behaviors as somehow important to political discourse. Using shame against some of us for not wanting to involve ourselves in the “marketplace of ideas” or “engage in debate” with extremists. Or expressing our righteous outrage.
Just because some are sad to find their racist, sexist, and bigoted ideas being widely rejected on college campuses and elsewhere, does not make their ideas worthy of debate. They should be rejected. I also have no interest in debating creationists, climate change deniers or the like.
Do we need to debate whether or not trans people should be beaten as they were “in the 50’s and 60’s”? Or if gays should be “stoned to death”? Fuck no. That is just wrong. If you believe Muslims are “abhorrent,” I do not wish to engage with you. You deserve any scorn you receive.
I have no doubt these hateful people are overjoyed when somebody considered credible and respected is willing to give their beliefs positive attention.
The idea being pushed by some Dem politicians that this can be overcome by showing empathy or love and compassion is foolish. They will never return the same. Are you expecting people to have a respectful debate with a person that spreads anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that Jews control the media, Hollywood, and the banks? Sorry, but no thanks. I refuse to give their hateful arguments any legitimacy.
The pundits and Dem politicians falling all over themselves to frame this as a both sides argument are really only making matters worse. According to the right-wing CATO institute, 63% of political violence is committed by right-wing ideologues. Only 10% by left-wing ideologues.
While I’m willing to believe bullying, isolation and loneliness are factors in the lone wolf shootings, easy access to unlimited guns is a common denominator. The prevalence of extreme right-wing influencers and a willingness of media pundits and Dem politicians to give their hateful ideas consideration, plays a role in legitimizing their hateful desires.
When some hatemonger shows up on a college campus under the banner, “Prove Me Wrong” they are not really there to debate. Debate would imply they are possibly persuadable. They are not. They are only there to persuade you, to make you question your beliefs, and to gather footage to later be used to mock and deride.
The two presidential hopefuls from my state, Ro Khanna and Gavin Newsom were quick to get on social media to police the tone of the left’s response to the killing of a right-wing hatemonger. With Newsom even declaring we should “continue the work” of the dead hatemonger. They are both giving credibility to the arguments of the hatemonger. Thus, telling his followers this extremist and violent rhetoric has legitimacy.
Only one person seemed to get it right, Republican Matthew Dowd, declaring violence begets violence. He was fired by MSNBC. While those promoting the idea that right-wing violent rhetoric should continue, even be encouraged and lauded, are not only not fired, they are presented as reasonable.
On September 10th in separate incidents, two young white males, minds polluted by right-wing extremist rhetoric, armed themselves and started shooting. One victim was an influential person known for spreading hateful, violent right-wing ideology under the guise of debate. That victim, now deceased, preached that gun deaths were worth the cost to protect the second amendment. Ironic and tragic.
The other victims were school children. Some shot, many others traumatized. I do not feel the poorly worded, poorly interrupted second amendment is worth the cost of the damage caused by the barely regulated guns in this country.
It is a struggle to find empathy for somebody that preached against empathy. Somebody that used their influence to mock …to push hateful violent rhetoric… but it is innate in me to do so, even if just a little. It is why I, a straight white male, care so much about the mistreatment …vilification of others by influential hatemongers.
The last few days two leading Democrats from my state, Ro Khanna and Gavin Newsom completely failed to provide any real moral leadership. They are too concerned about losing votes in their run for president, votes they are not likely to get anyway, but eager for air time offer nothing but pandering platitudes.
Here is an idea… Think before you speak. Think about the full consequences your statements will have. Innocent people are being hurt by people riled up by violent right-wing rhetoric. If you want to be a true leader, you shouldn’t be afraid to say as much.
So, don’t expect me to add to my commentary that political violence is wrong. I know that …it’s fucking obvious. It is the “other” side that doesn’t seem to know that.
anyway...here are some shots from the last couple weeks…
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