Letter to the Editor: Let’s call a spade a spade

Dear editor:

The point? Being honest about one’s intentions. The assassination of Charlie Kirk was horrific for everyone, regardless of political stance. Senseless killings are never acceptable. However, the Kirk murder became highly politicized, resulting in nation-wide displays of both honor and hostility, and the president’s greenlighting of retribution on the supposedly responsible political party. It is telling to me that last June’s attacks, in Minnesota by a right-wing extremist, on two Democrat lawmakers and their spouses (two deaths and two injuries) did not result in political weaponization to the level we are seeing with the Charlie Kirk situation.  

And don’t even get me started on the weaponization of the concepts of governmental overreach, cancel culture, the disregard of freedom of speech and our system of checks and balances, and the continued assault on our public lands, public education and personal freedoms. In all cases, the application of these concepts is being spun to advantage the political party in power. And, it truly is all about retaining that power regardless of what may be best for the people affected.

Political messaging has become one of self-serving and retaliatory mis-truths. Gone are the days when politicians reached across the aisle to find compromise solutions that would best benefit the common interests of all citizens, and also gone are the days when national leaders promoted unity and compassion as opposed to inciting division. It has become an atmosphere of “us” vs. “them.” We are living in sad times, from which I hope that our democracy can survive.

Dan Close

Greybull