Support NeoGAF

[gradient]

Some folks just put up a pic of Charlie with RIP in it. No text, no commentary. Are they happy he is dead, or are they sad? Are they just marking the event? Either way, it's how everyone should approach it. No virtue signaling, no pandering to your "base", either say something simple/neutral or just STFU.

Had he died in a car accident or blew out an aneurysm then -maybe- some of the more crass jokes could fly. But to have someone murdered in the middle of public discourse, the very foundation of our society.....that's so far beyond the line even the more cold hearted and ruthless hater of Kirk's should have had their spidey-sense tingling as they reached for their phone to gloat. Hell, I bet a fair number of lefty types had their phones physically grabbed out of their little paws by their PR managers ("No, NO! Bad Dog!) to prevent them from making an odious comment and today they should give them all raises for saving them from themselves.

I agree and I don't.

To show respect and empathy for his death is the right thing to do, but many, if not most, of the people positing about it are doing it for engagement. To garner clicks, like and attention. Those that post it in a mocking way seek to appeal to their likeminded social circle who also disliked him, and many of those that post in reverance or outrage to his death do so in an effort to appeal to and garner the attention of those who feel similarily hurt and outraged by the atrocity.

It's a machine. A twisted machine that incentivises outrage and content that draws attention by any means possible. Most people don't even realise they're a cog in it, they just fall into the workings and become another cog in the machine.

This isn't to say all outrage and sentiment expressed is disingenuous, but regardless of the intent, the social media companies benefit from the heightened response, conflict and interactions that it brings.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

There have been so many firings over this.

Is there any place with a list of these? I know the analyst for MSNBC, the writer for DC and that is essentially it.

Flags at half mast today. For Charlie or 9/11. Maybe both.

No disrespect in any means to Charlie and his family but it is and should be for 9/11. 9/11 is by far more important then Kirk's death and again I mean no disrespect in any way to him or his family but it's one of the worst and biggest moments in US history and the worst terrorist attack in history.

 

[Beretta]

This world just needs to self destruct.

There is such an abundance of evil, humanity is the worst thing that ever happened. When people are celebrating an assassination over differing opinions and don't feel disgusted or shameful, that's a freightening planet to live in.

 

[0neAnd0nly]

There is some deep irony here, all these people coming out about how the left are vile and how "it's up to us", no confidence at all they would have same reaction if Pelosi actually died. Is it true that Kirk wanted that pelosi attacker freed? What about those democrats assisinated a few months ago?

When your entire schtick is deep rooted in some very fine grained, sophisticated hypocrisy, it's just hard to take seriously. Just trying to be real.

No, normal people don't feel that way.

Watch this:

I strongly condemn the attack of and pray for Nancy Pelosi's husband's continued recovery, regardless of the political side involved or not involved, as well as the murder of Melissa Hortman in Minnesota and her family.

I also condemn the disgusting attack on Charlie Kirk and pray for the family and our country as well.

See, you don't have to be an autist hiding behind politically charged whataboutism on GAF. It's amazing, isn't it?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

 

[12Goblins]

Flags at half mast today. For Charlie or 9/11. Maybe both.

 

[Vestal]

This world just needs to self destruct.

There is such an abundance of evil, humanity is the worst thing that ever happened. When people are celebrating an assassination over differing opinions and don't feel disgusted or shameful, that's a freightening planet to live in.

This is 100% how the world has been for fucking EVER. We are just more connected now than we have ever been. It is all right there in front of us to see.

People used to (probably still do in places) watch and cheer live torture and executions.

 

[Havoc2049]

The problem is that there's 10,000 hours of Charlie Kirk talking on YouTube. The tribal left ignore 99% of it because most of what he says is reasonable.

They collect his 1% worst takes, pour gas on it by removing context and adding their own, and use that mixture to paint him as a new Hitler.

Then they feed the manufactured Hitler to a population that likely suffers from a higher rate of mental illness via echo chambers like Bluesky, Reddit and Resetera. Here you foment hatred towards the manufactured concept long enough and eventually one of these tragedies happen. It's a production line.

So true. The "evil" Charlie Kirk bringing a liberal and conservative father and son together.

 

[Kiwicha]

They killed somebody who could've easily been a strong candidate for U.S. president in the not too distant future.
I haven't heard yet a terminator-style conspiracy theory.

 

[Joramun]

Leftists are truly evil. They always cry victim, yet they are the ones who always instigate violence.

They couldn't get to Trump. So they got Charlie instead.

Arguably the biggest draw for bringing young people to common sense and conservatism.

RIP Charlie

 

[12Goblins]

They killed somebody who could've easily been a strong candidate for U.S. president in the not too distant future.
I haven't heard yet a terminator-style conspiracy theory.

I do suspect Charlie Kirk would be more favorable amongst conservatives than the spineless opportunist that is JD Vance... Any conservatives care to opine?

 

[12Goblins]

Leftists are truly evil. They always cry victim, yet they are the ones who always instigate violence.

RIP Charlie

Fyi we don't know anything about the killer yet, not that it will change your mind

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Fox is not, and has never been center.

They might not be deranged and conspirationa, but that doesn't mean they aren't firmly on the right. Media ideological bias tracking, both those done by committee and those done by asking the people what they think, firmly puts fox on the right. You're only arguing this to validate your victimism that has been fashionable on right wing circles for decades.

Don't totally disagree. Tired from work and this is still tragic news that isn't going away.

 

[calico]

Remember.

These people did not only cheer over the death of charlie kirk.

They want you dead as well.
And they would cheer equally

You are correct.

 

[12Goblins]

You are correct.

Promulgating these talking points is how we got here in the first place. Hopefully one day you will have the foresight to realize this, because that's how it ends.

 

[Jsisto]

How does something like this get messed up? I hate to say it but it really makes you question any official narrative that comes out.

 

[calico]

Nobody wanted him killed, especially in the horrifying gruesome way that it played out.

 

[TheUsual]

Have an old college buddy posting stuff on Instagram that's basically saying while his assassination is bad, he was an awful person because of x, y, z reasons. Basically a wink wink that his death was justified. Truly vile shit.

 

[th4tguy]

Fyi we don't know anything about the killer yet, not that it will change your mind

A lot of talk on here as if it's a known fact that some purple hair, nose ring, trans woman took the shot.
We know little to nothing about the killer. We have a picture of a suspect and that picture has them wearing a shirt that says god bless america with a flag and bald eagle on it. Far from a liberal apparel choice.

What is being said in social media celebrating this mans death IS horrible and should be shunned. It's also not new. Just as much spite and hate was talked about online and in this forum for other tragedies that weren't directly tied to conservative media influencers.
I don't even think there would be as much outrage if this had happened to an actual conservative politician.

 

[spookyfish]

How does something like this get messed up? I hate to say it but it really makes you question any official narrative that comes out.

Except -- I *ALWAYS* question any official narrative that comes out, sooo crap like this doesn't have any bearing on that for me. (I DO however think they could be walking it back due to national tensions.)

 

[Jsisto]

hes not wrong. Just go to the purple forum and read the comments regarding charlie kirk's death, they most certainly want people that think like charlie kirk dead.

Gremlins foaming at the mouth behind the safety of their smartphones and pcs. They're weak, harmless degenerates. If people like that really wanted to do damage, there would be anarchy on every street corner. Last I checked civilized life is largely proceeding as normal. Obviously there are outliers as we've seen yesterday, but equating every dumb thing someone posts online as actual intent is dumb.

 

[jason10mm]

Fyi we don't know anything about the killer yet, not that it will change your mind

I don't think it matters who killed him or why, it's the REACTION of PURE JOY and SPITE that shows the vile nature of -some- folks. Had Charlie fallen down some stairs and died, the reaction would have been the same and the disgusting nature of jubilation of the death of a guy who just goes around talking to people, not making policy, not driving a tank into an orphanage, not ordering the gassing of "the deplorables", not burning books, not being dragged out of a house filled with trafficked sex slaves,.....just talking, would still be repugnant.

 

[Vestal]

How does something like this get messed up? I hate to say it but it really makes you question any official narrative that comes out.

As usual some people are trying to push a narrative. Leak it early. Force people to confirm its existence and later have them walk back validity.

Damage already done though.

 

[12Goblins]

How does something like this get messed up? I hate to say it but it really makes you question any official narrative that comes out.

It's Kash Patel. He will do it say anything anything to appease Daddy Trump. That's only reason they would let a guy this inept run the FBI. And we know from Trump's history that he will exploit the shit out of CKs death for personal gain until the day he dies. That makes it sound bad, but I don't think Trump does it in an imorale way, I think Trump is an amoral guy in the way he operates. The only thing he thinks is: What's the best play with the cards he is given.

It's possible that it turns out to be true, but the fact that Steven Crowder of all people leaked it automatically made it very dubious in my eyes

 

[FoxMcChief]

Man. I really dislike that both sides act like, you're either with us, or against us. With that attitude, both sides lose.

 

[FullMetalx117]

No, normal people don't feel that way.

Watch this:

I strongly condemn the attack of and pray for Nancy Pelosi's husband's continued recovery, regardless of the political side involved or not involved, as well as the murder of Melissa Hortman in Minnesota and her family.

I also condemn the disgusting attack on Charlie Kirk and pray for the family and our country as well.

See, you don't have to be an autist hiding behind politically charged whataboutism on GAF. It's amazing, isn't it?

Are you implying that Charlie Kirk and plenty of similar personalities were not/are not normal?

Hopefully your mindset extends to the influencers that influence the online majority!

 

[f~N_CH_1:3:3:3_SushiBoat]

Is it a mormal thing for educational institutions, or any building really, to have such easy roof access for people who aren't caretakers and or landlords?

Back in my college days (2010ish) we had door handle access to the fourth floor rooftop of a particular building with quite the panorama. It was used to just chill, get away, drink a beer durring a class kegger, etc. Id imagine its pretty common.

 

[The_Mike]

stop spreading toxic shit, nobody wants you dead.

No one wanted Charlie Kirk dead.

 

[Trilobit]

Man. I really dislike that both sides act like, you're either with us, or against us. With that attitude, both sides lose.

There should be more movies like Civil War that depict how gruesome a civil war would be. It never even coming close to that should be something everyone agrees on. Because once it starts there's possibly no way to stop it until millions of Americans have died.

 

[JoduanER2]

Gremlins foaming at the mouth behind the safety of their smartphones and pcs. They're weak, harmless degenerates. If people like that really wanted to do damage, there would be anarchy on every street corner. Last I checked civilized life is largely proceeding as normal. Obviously there are outliers as we've seen yesterday, but equating every dumb thing someone posts online as actual intent is dumb.

I'm not saying that they are going to do it (...until one of them actually do it) but that's what they want.

 

[Boo Who?]

hes not wrong. Just go to the purple forum and read the comments regarding charlie kirk's death, they most certainly want people that think like charlie kirk dead.

I am pretty sure they would like me dead after my banning. I would really like to see them try.

 

[Vick]

I was familiar with Charlie, but in a superficial way. Saw a dozen of videos and debates over the years and I believe that's the full extent of it.
Yet no death outside of my family and social life has ever affected me this much. Aside from maybe Steve Irwin 20 years ago. Not sure if it's because I'm at a point in life where we shared the same viewpoints, or the fact he was three years younger than me, with a daughter just one year older than mine.. or because he was quite literally the "Let's talk about this" guy, with a patience I would never be able to have. I feel it would be bad taste to even make this post overly self-oriented, but I've cried about 4 times today ever since finding out, which is unusual to say the least. From pure shock, and soon after the Iryna stuff, to the daughter video, some beautiful tributes and short clips of actually wonderful and uplifting things he said..

Wish I hadn't seen/read some really disgusting stuff from "people" I have trouble even describing as such.. as that's what truly fuels the negative feelings.

Best post I've personally seen if from Michael Knowles:

Charlie Kirk would have been president. His friends knew it. His admirers knew it. And his enemies knew it.
This universal confidence in Charlie's future began with his countless political accomplishments. At 18, he founded Turning Point USA, which went on to become the most important cultural organization on the American Right. By 22, he was addressing the Republican National Convention. Three years later, he founded Turning Point Action, which led the get-out-the-vote efforts that delivered the first Republican popular vote victory in twenty years. In his spare time, Charlie published five books, hosted a national talk show, married a lovely wife, and fathered two beautiful children. All of that by 31.
Charlie's appearance inspired as much confidence as his accomplishments. At a towering six-foot-five slouching, he joked that he had descended from the Nephilim—the giant "fallen ones" of the Old Testament. He might have been born with such a nature, as are we all, but he was not content to remain so. Charlie loved his Savior. The zeal with which he debated politics paled in comparison to the excitement with which he discussed religion. And his religious life bore fruit.
Turning Point launched a Faith division to focus specifically on his followers' souls. There too, Charlie's enthusiasm for open debate set the tone, as he invited atheists and even Catholics to take part. But he didn't need a specific religious conference to convey his faith. Charlie Kirk's religion bore fruit in everything he did.
Discerning observers believed in Charlie Kirk, not chiefly for his accolades or his appearance, but for his manifest virtue. Charlie's prudence, the principal virtue in politics, built a generational coalition that helped to transform the American government. His temperance distinguished him as one of the few on the Right to eschew whisky, cigars, and every other delight that might have distracted him from his purpose, for which he had so little time. His sense of justice produced clarity in moral vision and grace for his opponents. His fortitude impelled him to enter the public square without a hint of servile fear.Charlie's only fear was the holy sort—awe and wonder, the beginning of wisdom—and his clearest virtues were theological: faith, hope, and charity. We mourn his death, we take up his cause, and we entrust him, as he confidently entrusted himself, to God's care.

Shame there's many, many others akin to this..

Spoiler

RIP Charlie. Wish your wife all the strength she needs.

 

[FoxMcChief]

 

[Scrawnton]

A deranged feral human on Bluesky threatened to put a bullet in the back of my head simply for saying that excuting people for their opinions and being ok with that is psychotic behavior. Instead of debating my point, he made it instead. These people truly are nuts.

Report it and file a police report.

 

[JoduanER2]

I was familiar with Charlie, but in a superficial way. Saw a dozen of videos and debates over the years and I believe that's the full extent of it.
Yet no death outside of my family and social life has ever affected me this much. Aside from maybe Steve Irwin 20 years ago. Not sure if it's because I'm at a point in life where we shared the same viewpoints, or the fact he was three years younger than me, with a daughter just one year older than mine.. or because he was quite literally the "Let's talk about this" guy, with a patience I would never be able to have. I feel it would be bad taste to even make this post overly self-oriented, but I've cried about 4 times today ever since finding out, which is unusual to say the least. From pure shock, and soon after the Iryna stuff, to the daughter video, some beautiful tributes and short clips of actually wonderful and uplifting things he said..

Wish I hadn't seen/read some really disgusting stuff from "people" I have trouble even describing as such.. as that's what truly fuels the negative feelings.

Best post I've personally seen if from Michael Knowles:





Shame there's many, many others akin to this..

Spoiler

RIP Charlie. Wish your wife all the strength she needs.

You can say anything about the right but if some really big leftist person was killed as horrible as in this case the response would have been much more respectful. You would find some idiots saying stupid things but not at the same level as this... the left really is the party of the insane.

 

[violence]

I saw this earlier. I couldn't believe it was Charlie Sheen. He seems a lot calmer than his hypomania days.

 

[Vestal]

You can say anything about the right but if some really big leftist person died the response would have been much more respectful. You would find some idiots saying stupid things but not at the same level as this... the left really is the party of the insane.

Do you forget what happened when Pelosi's husband was almost beaten to death?

Edit: Callousness, lack of empathy and stupidity exists on all sides of the political spectrum.

 

[Signalis]

People saying that Kirk only has himself to blame for the things he said reminds me of how in Sweden an immigrant was murdered by muslims after having burned the quran and spoken up against islam. Many Swedes blamed him for his death.

killed for having a difference of ideology. You know what that is... fascism. So all the people crying 'fascists' are .. (get closer so you can hear this) the actual fascists! (not attacking you, just replying to your post.)

 

[jason10mm]

I saw this earlier. I couldn't believe it was Charlie Sheen. He seems a lot calmer than his hypomania days.

He says it was a combo of coke and too much testosterone cream

Now he's been sober for 8 years and does seem pretty chill.

 

[FoxMcChief]

I do feel like my thoughts alone a lot with Joe. Former left and more in the direct center looking at the madness of both extreme sides. The extremists really hurt their sides. I don't think I could ever pick one side over the other ever again.

 

[DVDRick]

last night, in bed i read the news and couldn't sleep for hours...it is the first time a political person's death, who is not even speaking my mother language, affected me that much. All day i was thinking about this.. very sad and worrying about the future.

This will be a point in history, where we either unite or divide even more.

RIP Charlie Kirk

 

[PrimetimeKnight]

He says it was a combo of coke and too much testosterone cream

Now he's been sober for 8 years and does seem pretty chill.

No more tiger blood?

 

[Davey Cakes]

Gotta love that X is awash with endless emotional right wing accounts readying themselves for an authoritarian crackdown in order to eradicate satanic leftism.

A grab bag of insensitive, unsavory opinions about the tragic assassination of Kirk is not worth giving up your rights or taking rights away from others. Don't be a lemming.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

bOtH sIdEs

mUh MoDeRaTe LiBeRaLs

 

[JoduanER2]

Do you forget what happened when Pelosi's husband was almost beaten to death?

Edit: Callousness, lack of empathy and stupidity exists on all sides of the political spectrum.

How many in that case compared to this? I bet it was a 0.00001% of the number of bad responses that in this case.

 

[JoduanER2]

bOtH sIdEs

mUh MoDeRaTe LiBeRaLs

See what I' saying?

 

[JoduanER2]

How many in that case compared to this? I bet it was a 0.00001% of the number of bad responses that in this case.

Take destiny the "political commentator" from the left, if he had died the same way as Charlie Kirk had I would bet anything that the response from the right would have been nothing like in this case

 

[ReasonBeing]

Do you forget what happened when Pelosi's husband was almost beaten to death?

Edit: Callousness, lack of empathy and stupidity exists on all sides of the political spectrum.

This is more of a rant and I don't have anything particularly important or profound to say.

Those that honestly believe that these outcomes are exclusively the result of the actions of those on the other side of the aisle, need to do some soul searching. Within milliseconds, I can think of despicable actions from people who identify as part of many groups (left, right, lgbt, straight, white, black, hispanic). I can also recognize the escalation that has been taking place since around circa 2012-2013. If we are going to start pointing fingers, the first person we need to point to is ourselves. Collectively as individuals, we allow this "us vs them" narrative to grow and fester until the natural conclusion, which is violence. We then act shocked.

When these terrible things happen, and are perpetrated by those within our "in group", we are quick to point out the obvious fact that there are always 'a few bad apples' within any people group, but we never seem to be able to apply that same logic to those who are on the other side. We are told not to have empathy for "the others", and we seem to have decided that was ok. The only path forward is compromise. The only path forward is everyone deciding that we need to change. I don't have faith that this is possible.

 

[DrFigs]

Shame that Charlie Kirk was an advocate of political violence. Hope people don't follow in his footsteps.

https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/charlie-kirk-once-called-for-patriot-to-bail-out-paul-pelosi-assailant-david-depape/

He then went on to call for someone to bail out Pelosi's attacker, David DePape.

"And why is he still in jail? Why has he not been bailed out? By the way, if some amazing patriot out there in San Francisco or the Bay Area wants to be a midterm hero, someone should go and bail this guy out… Bail him out and then go ask him some questions."

Edit: my framing here wasn't quite right. But the quote speaks for itself.

 

[Kiwicha]

Nobody is saying that they want someone else dead.
Fucking purple place.