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| Ralph Bristol |
Instead, I will eulogize the freedom that dies whenever political violence occurs, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk is a special case, because of what he was best known for – going to college campuses to find students who disagreed with his political views and engaging them in a civil debate.
I can’t speak to Charlie's political views or his character, and those things don’t matter nearly as much as his eagerness to engage with people with opposing political views.
It speaks volumes that when the liberal governor of California, Gavin Newsom, started his own podcast, Charlie Kirk was his first guest, because Newsom respected Charlie’s modus operandi.
There can be no two people in America with as dissimilar political views, but equally similar views on how people with opposing views should handle their disagreements – with civil debate, something that is not new in America, but has been lost, and is in desperate need of revival.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk will have a chilling effect on public discourse, not just because it adds to a growing list of contemporary political violence against representatives of both ends of the spectrum…
President Trump survived two assassination attempts. In June, two Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota were shot, one of whom was killed. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home was firebombed in April. Three years ago a contemplated assassin gave himself up outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house. Rep. Steve Scalise was shot in 2017, and Rep. Gabby Giffords in 2011.
….but, specifically because of what Charlie was known for.
When you assassinate a popular, contemporary icon of civil, public debate, you chill civil, public debate. There are public figures, including members of Congress, the media, and academia, who will be afraid to engage in open, public debate for fear of another deranged shooter.
There is no doubt that social media fuels political violence, but it’s not just social media. All media with a business model that depends on pleasing one side of the political debate shares the blame for creating these monsters.
And, politicians who specialize in condemning their opposition, rather than engaging them, are also to blame. Too many congressional hearings have become public floggings, with members of Congress taking turns rhetorically thrashing members of the administration.
Then, when another person is shot, they all condemn the public violence, as if they are blameless. I don’t want to hear another politician or media star condemn the violence they helped create. I want to hear them say how they personally are going to change to be a better role model for others.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk could mark the beginning of a very dark chapter in American history, or it could ignite a desperately needed revival of civil debate. As I grieve for the inherent loss of freedom, and for Charlie’s family, I will pray for the latter.
Ralph Bristol is the former long-time morning talk radio host broadcasting on Supertalk 99.7 WTN. He was one of the less provocative and bombastic of conservative radio personalities, more thoughtful and grounded in conservative ideas. He left talk radio in 2018 and retired. He lives in Nashville.
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