Nation on edge: Experts warn of “vicious spiral" in political violence after Kirk killing

[signalmankenneth]

(Reuters) -The assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk marks a watershed moment in a surge of U.S. political violence, one that some experts fear will inflame an already-fractured country and inspire more unrest.

”This event is horrifying, alarming, but not necessarily surprising,” said Mike Jensen, a researcher at the University of Maryland, which has tracked such violence in a terrorism database since 1970.

In the first six months of the year, the U.S. experienced about 150 politically-motivated attacks — nearly twice as many as over the same period last year, said Jensen. “I think we are in a very, very dangerous spot right now that could quite easily escalate into more widespread civil unrest if we don't get a hold of it,” Jensen said. “This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint that inspires more of it.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nation-edge-experts-warn-vicious-014044743.html

 

[Lionfish]

(Reuters) -The assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk marks a watershed moment in a surge of U.S. political violence, one that some experts fear will inflame an already-fractured country and inspire more unrest.

”This event is horrifying, alarming, but not necessarily surprising,” said Mike Jensen, a researcher at the University of Maryland, which has tracked such violence in a terrorism database since 1970.

In the first six months of the year, the U.S. experienced about 150 politically-motivated attacks — nearly twice as many as over the same period last year, said Jensen. “I think we are in a very, very dangerous spot right now that could quite easily escalate into more widespread civil unrest if we don't get a hold of it,” Jensen said. “This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint that inspires more of it.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nation-edge-experts-warn-vicious-014044743.html
View attachment 59183

Fuck you asshole. You supported the assassination of your president so, fuck you!

 

[signalmankenneth]

Fuck you asshole. You supported the assassination of your president so, fuck you!

He is not my president either!


No Kings!!!

 

[Lionfish]

He is not my president either!

View attachment 59190
No Kings!!!

Fuck you asshole. You supported the assassination of your president so, fuck you

 

[Maze]

Kirk said his death is worth it!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7548551889172925751

It’s important that we send our thoughts and prayers then continue on like nothing happened, just like Charlie would have wanted.

 

[cawacko]

Question for you old timers, there was a lot of political violence in the '60's and '70's. How would you compare that environment to what we are seeing today?

 

[archives]

Question for you old timers, there was a lot of political violence in the '60's and '70's. How would you compare that environment to what we are seeing today?

(Reuters) -The assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk marks a watershed moment in a surge of U.S. political violence, one that some experts fear will inflame an already-fractured country and inspire more unrest.

”This event is horrifying, alarming, but not necessarily surprising,” said Mike Jensen, a researcher at the University of Maryland, which has tracked such violence in a terrorism database since 1970.

In the first six months of the year, the U.S. experienced about 150 politically-motivated attacks — nearly twice as many as over the same period last year, said Jensen. “I think we are in a very, very dangerous spot right now that could quite easily escalate into more widespread civil unrest if we don't get a hold of it,” Jensen said. “This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint that inspires more of it.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nation-edge-experts-warn-vicious-014044743.html
View attachment 59183

Well, it is a sad thing to say, but a month from now, other than the right wing media milking it, the tragedy will be forgotten, Americans have become desensitized to violence,

 

[archives]

Question for you old timers, there was a lot of political violence in the '60's and '70's. How would you compare that environment to what we are seeing today?

Wouldn’t consider myself necessarily an “old timer,” but it is more dangerous today, much more, the rhetoric today is perpetuated by individuals and entities in positions of power, be it gov’t, media, or influencers, back in the day, it was those without power echoing or implying violence

 

[cawacko]

Well, it is a sad thing to say, but a month from now, other than the right wing media milking it, the tragedy will be forgotten, Americans have become desensitized to violence,

That doesn’t really answer what I asked. How would you compare the violence we see today with what was happening in the 60s and 70s?

 

[archives]

That doesn’t really answer what I asked. How would you compare the violence we see today with what was happening in the 60s and 70s?

That was the respite the topic thread

 

[cawacko]

Wouldn’t consider myself necessarily an “old timer,” but it is more dangerous today, much more, the rhetoric today is perpetuated by individuals and entities in positions of power, be it gov’t, media, or influencers, back in the day, it was those without power echoing or implying violence

You referring to more activist groups using that type of rhetoric back in the day?

 

[Ross Dolan]

Question for you old timers, there was a lot of political violence in the '60's and '70's. How would you compare that environment to what we are seeing today?

I'm an OLD timer, and first I have to say that "violence" is "violence" no matter what era; no matter the names of the factions: no matter the views of the factions...and should be abhorred no matter what. But the violence of the 60's and 70's still seems tame to me compared with what we are seeing in our country today.

In a discussion with my wife last night, I said, "If I were an established dictator today, I cannot think of what I would decree in order to bring our nation to its senses."

I stand by that today. Even the incremental stages are hidden to me.

This is going to get much worse during the next two years. MUCH WORST!

 

[archives]

You referring to more activist groups using that type of rhetoric back in the day?

Partially, but those “activist groups” megaphone was how fast their mimeograph machine worked, plus, as I noted, they were out of power attempting to address something they felt was wrong, today, it is people in power spreading hate to maintain power by creating melodrama

 

[cawacko]

I'm an OLD timer, and first I have to say that "violence" is "violence" no matter what era; no matter the names of the factions: no matter the views of the factions...and should be abhorred no matter what. But the violence of the 60's and 70's still seems tame to me compared with what we are seeing in our country today.

In a discussion with my wife last night, I said, "If I were an established dictator today, I cannot think of what I would decree in order to bring our nation to its senses."

I stand by that today. Even the incremental stages are hidden to me.

This is going to get much worse during the next two years. MUCH WORST!

I appreciate the responses (from you and Archives). One of the big differences today has to be social media? Back then people could think things privately. Now everyone has a platform to spread their message, or their hate, instantly across the planet.

I do hold out hope that when people say social media is dominated by the loudest and most fringe voices, and that they don’t really represent the majority, they are right.

But reading this board and even Facebook, where people I actually know are posting, after yesterday’s events it just made me feel dirty. Like I don’t want to be part of this anymore.

 

[Ross Dolan]

I appreciate the responses (from you and Archives). One of the big differences today has to be social media? Back then people could think things privately. Now everyone has a platform to spread their message, or their hate, instantly across the planet.

I do hold out hope that when people say social media is dominated by the loudest and most fringe voices, and that they don’t really represent the majority, they are right.

But reading this board and even Facebook, where people I actually know are posting, after yesterday’s events it just made me feel dirty. Like I don’t want to be part of this anymore.

I know what you mean. I often feel I have to take a second shower after a "discussion."

BUT...this is part of the job we have. We, our generations, are charged with protecting the Republic for the short time it is in our hands.

Stick with it, CA.