by Will Espero
No one should ever be murdered for political views or religious views.
No one should be shot in front of thousands, if not millions of people, on national television due to their opinions and thoughts.
Assassination in the United States is a heinous act, and it is a sad commentary about the political violence permeating within our nation. It used to be that assassination was something in the news, history books, or in movies.
Now, it can be seen live via streaming or television due to advancements in technology and personal devices. The slow death of George Floyd on live TV around the world is one example of what’s viewable in today’s electronic environment.
The horrific shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was closely aligned with the Republican Party, is another death that brought shock, anger, outrage, and calls for civil war by some extremist voices.
It was a terrible scene shown on television, and I must say the graphic video showed blood-filled images that many viewers have never seen. I’m guessing it was probably pretty dramatic and traumatizing for some.
It’s apparent that gun violence is out of control, and our Congress should do more to regulate guns without violating anyone’s Second Amendment rights to bear arms.
Background checks for all buyers of firearms, closing loopholes in gun sales at gun shows, and limitations on the number of bullets in a clip or magazine are some reform measures that should be considered.
A national waiting period for gun purchases is another idea worth considering.
From 1994 to 2004, Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which banned assault weapons like the AR-15. The ban was successful, and killings by assault weapons during the ten years decreased.
Unfortunately, Congress did not extend the ban on assault weapons, and assault weapons are used in mass shootings today. Congress should do the right thing and pass an assault weapons ban again, but the Republican-led Congress has refused to consider such common-sense legislation.
Charlie Kirk was a vocal young Christian leader with a strong following, and when he preached his feelings and thoughts, his followers listened.
I didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was until the assassination, and upon researching his words and opinions, I was appalled by some of his messages.
He was certainly confident and articulate, and despite his personal intentions and his desire for debate and discussion, many of Kirk’s words were controversial, hurtful, and mean. The First Amendment addresses freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but his words also created division and anger.
Examples include when Charlie Kirk spoke ill and negatively against black women, President Biden, LGBTQ individuals, immigrants, and Democrats to name a few.
His words spewed hate and intolerance such as the verbal attacks against George Floyd, Zohran Mamdani, the Pelosi family, Muslims, the Civil Rights Act, women, vaccines, Taylor Swift, and many others. One just needs to Google or research online to see his views.
It’s one thing to disagree with another; however, Kirk’s style and words were often offensive and insulting, such as his comments about the qualifications of black airline pilots. He also stated President Biden should get the death penalty for his “crimes against America.” These comments and thoughts are harmful and inflammatory and have no place in our society.
Charlie Kirk also made millions for his non-profit organization and himself due to his positions and ideals. He was friends with Donald Trump and considered a rising star in the Conservative movement.
The story of Charlie Kirk is a lesson for all of us.
Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are not to be taken for granted, and in our world today, caution should be taken when publicly stating one’s opinion.
There are too many people in our cities and towns with mental health and anger management issues who have easy access to guns, and words can be a trigger for human behavior.
Speakers and leaders must be mindful of their words and tone, recognizing that people respond differently.
Until Congress and individual states pass important gun reform laws, the gun violence in our country will continue.
One would think that the countless school shootings, student deaths, neighborhood gun violence, and criminal activity would produce meaningful changes. Sadly, that is not the case.
In Hawaii, we have some of the strongest gun laws in the nation. Gun crimes are few here, but from the news, it seems like there has been an increase in gun-related crimes.
I know some will say guns don’t kill people; people kill people. That’s true, and how we treat our fellow humans on this earth is paramount. Respecting with dignity for all is the proper way to engage in a conversation.
When one starts talking in a superior, condescending, and hateful tone, the interaction changes. However, no one should be murdered for having an opinion.
Moreover, diverse views must be accepted, tolerated, and debated in a peaceful manner.
Disney did the right thing to allow Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. His suspension from his show created a major firestorm for Disney, and it was the wrong action to take against a comedian doing his job. I heard Kimmel’s comments, and they did not justify a firing or suspension, in my opinion.
Trump and FCC’s Brendan Carr need to chill when it comes to the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Freedom of Speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and protest, and freedom to petition are the bedrock of our democracy.
Threats and intimidation from the Trump administration are unacceptable, inappropriate, and must stop.
It’s time for Trump to stop acting like a wannabe dictator and act like a statesman. I know it’s a difficult ask, but the United States of America deserves no less.
On a final note, the power of the American people through their consumer spending can be a very powerful force.
Imagine if all the Jimmy Kimmel supporters cancelled their subscriptions to Hulu, Disney, and ESPN. I didn’t expect this to happen, but the Walt Disney Company’s bottom line would certainly be negatively affected.
Or imagine if families boycotted Disneyland or Disney World for one month. Or imagine if advertisers on the ABC network were identified and threatened with a temporary boycott.
Trying to end Jimmy Kimmel’s career should be a wake-up call to Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Government and politicians ending a television show because it does not like the content is un-American and not to be tolerated by any political party or group.
Freedom of speech cannot be muffled. It can never be suppressed in our free nation. To think otherwise is a reflection and support of an autocratic, authoritarian government.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and state Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.
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