Charlie, why did this happen?
I first saw Charlie when he appeared on Fox & Friends in 2012. I wasn’t paying close attention, only had the news in the background as I often did at that time. I looked around the corner when he was introduced just out of curiosity as this was an 18 yr old high school student with two of his fellow classmates. From the time he opened his mouth to the last words that he spoke on that interview, I did not close my mouth. I was truly AMAZED!
I thought to myself, no way that he is having this kind of dialogue. I turned the tv up and stood closer. I was honestly looking to see if he had an implant in his ear with someone feeding him information. I thought there is no way that someone at that age can speak with such clarity and knowledge.
Although I bragged about him to friends and acquaintances “Did you see that kid this morning?” or “I just saw a kid this morning that was unbelievable.” But after a few days the amazement faded and I thought this is a flash in the pan and that was great but we won’t hear about him again. I hate to admit this but boy was I wrong.
Some 13 yrs later, after watching many national interviews, hundreds of You Tube clips/podcasts and the creation of Turning Point USA and the weight and influence of his followers and members. The result of that influence is the affect he had on the 2024 election. I am still AMAZED!!
He has been shot! Charlie has died!
My first thought after hearing that he had been shot was here we go again. I remember as a very young child, the mood of family and friends after the JFK shooting in the early 1960’s and later the Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy assassinations in 1968. That is when I thought things were really out of control. A short time later learning that Charlie had died, I cried for 15 minutes uncontrollably. Not just for Charlie, but for his wife and 2 children. For the influence that he had on the younger generation and the organizations that he created. From a bigger standpoint, who will fill his shoes, what will happen to the country, what the hell are we doing and where are we headed?
Why Charlie?
I spoke earlier as to the influence that he had on the 2024 election and the creation of Turning Point USA that has continued to grow beyond his imagination. The reality of his influence affected a lot of the younger generation that he had an unbelievable connection with. This great influence on our youth could affect elections and the political climate for many, many years to come. Some measurements have indicated that the youth vote from 18 yrs to 35 yrs had an uptick of approximately 47% overall, the change was approximately 21% more from the 2020 election. This certainly is an influence that has been noticed by the political base of the opposing party.
I am not saying that a 22 yr old would be assassin was taking these things into consideration as he pulled the trigger. But I am saying that the calls from the political left to the liberal media and beyond falsely accusing him as being a fascist, a nazi and one that promotes hate, could influence those that are susceptible to that kind of rhetoric. This did or could have played some role in what happened on Wednesday.
Are you serious? He deserved it? He asked for it?
For me, the most shocking, is the reaction from some as to his assassination. They are justifying this assassination because he stood in the town square and spoke about ideas, patriotism, religion, the importance of getting married and building a family, he encouraged our youth to start thinking that way. He talked about how important it was to have the father be a part of the family and help in raising the children. He was an advocate of the 1st amendment, which includes freedom of speech and as mentioned above freedom of religion. And yes, he supported the 2nd amendment. I believe that if he was able to speak to us today, he still believes in the 2nd amendment. He was pro-life, he believed that life began at conception. He also believed in smaller government and economic freedom, that we were losing our economic opportunities. Yes, he debated about DEI. He argued along the lines that DEI initiatives can prioritize identity categories over individual merit. Of course there were many other issues, such as protecting the border and the challenges and effects of an open border.
He participated in rallies on college campuses, where he felt that the freedom of speech was challenged the most. He not only gave an opportunity for his supporters to come down to the microphone and give their opinions, but he prioritized and put all opposing views in front of the line and challenged those who opposed to “Prove Him Wrong”.
I have just explained a few of the things that Charlie stood for and fought for, which tells us a lot about Charlie.
So tell me again, what was the justification for assassinating Charlie Kirk?
Looking back in history, those who celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s assassination felt that it was justified. They were wrong. For those that did the same with JFK and celebrated and justified his assassination they were wrong. For those who celebrated and justified Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, they were wrong.
They were on the wrong side of history and their feelings and reactions and comments were abhorrent. For those who celebrate and are happy and feel that the assassination of Charlie Kirk was justified, this says a lot more about who they really are.
How do we know that Charlie was right?
I think that his ideas and dialogue might have been moving in the right direction.
He passed away Wednesday afternoon, September 10, 2025. As I finish this blog on Saturday, September 13, 2025, there has not been a dumpster fire created, not one report of looting, not one assault reported anywhere that relates to Charlie’s death. There are no riots in the streets, no reports of vandalism. What I have seen and heard is a lot of reflection, prayers, sympathy for his family and this nation and a deeper more thoughtful view on where this country is now but more importantly where it is headed.
Final Comment
Silencing speech by any means necessary is not the answer. Charlie believed and said that when we stop talking to each other, when the dialogue and conversation has ended, our differences widen and can be misinterpreted without conversation. This can lead to violence. While he was sitting in front of thousands and discussing and debating ideas, with open dialogue, somebody put a bullet in him.
He prioritized his faith and love of God. I can’t imagine how fearful he may have been every time he stepped in the middle of the town square. I am sure that there were many discussions with his wife Erika about the possibility of this happening. I can only say that his belief in God calmed his fear and gave him the strength to do what he did, while many on both sides of the aisle quit making public appearances, changed their schedules for not only this week but over the last year or so, I am sure that they too were afraid of this kind of outcome.
The first words out of my mouth and my thought was God Damn You!!! It is hard for me to find comfort in that "he is in a better place", "God has a bigger plan” and other platitudes that seem to make us feel better when we truly do not understand and are not on the same path or walk with God that Charlie was. I can only say as I struggle to have the faith that Charlie and his wife have, I need to look at walking closer to God and a longer walk may be needed for me to get where my hero, Charlie Kirk was.