To the Editor:
Charlie Kirk was another victim of gun violence in this country, just like Melissa and Mark Hortman, and just like the children at Annunciation Catholic School — 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. Once again, thoughts and prayers are sent to the victims’ families, and once again politicians react to the tragedy with accusations and recriminations.
The only difference between these tragedies is the reaction of President Trump and his administration. They decry violence only when their far-right allies are killed. They want to punish “radical left” activists engaged in political violence. Others in his administration want to go one step further and punish speech that is critical of Trump and Kirk. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, said, “There is an ideology that has steadily been growing in this country which hates everything that is good, righteous and beautiful and celebrates everything that is warped, twisted and depraved.” You would think that communists are running roughshod in our cities and towns. No doubt this extreme rhetoric will spill over to include government action targeting ordinary citizens who are peacefully protesting any number of issues. I fear for our country.
Ann Fulton
Sylva