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Bernie sanders on Charlie Kirk and democracy, since so many seem to not understand what democracy is

I want to say a few words regarding the terrible murder of Charlie Kirk. Someone who I strongly disagreed with on almost every issue, but who was clearly a very smart and effective communicator and organizer and someone unafraid to get out into the world and engage the public. My condolences go out to his wife and his family.

A free and democratic society, which is what America is supposed to be about, depends upon the basic premise that people can speak out, organize, and take part in public life without fear, without worrying that they might be killed, injured, or humiliated for expressing their political views.

In fact, that is the essence of what freedom is about and what democracy is about. You have a point of view. That's great. I have a point of view that is different than yours. That's great. Let's argue it out. We make our case to the American people at the local, state, and federal levels. And we hold free elections in which the people decide what they want. That's called freedom and democracy. And as many people as possible should participate in that process without fear.

Freedom and democracy is not about political violence. It is not about assassinating public officials. It is not about trying to intimidate people who speak out on an issue. Political violence in fact is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas and you have to impose them through force.

Every American, no matter what one's political point of view may be, must condemn all forms of political violence and all forms of intimidation. We must welcome and respect dissenting points of view. That's what our Constitution is about. That's what our Bill of Rights is about. That in fact is what freedom is about.

The murder of Charlie Kirk is part of a disturbing rise in political violence that threatens to hollow out public life and make people afraid of participating.

From the January 6 attack on the Capitol, to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, to the attack on Paul Pelosi, to the attempted kidnapping of Gretchen Whitmer, to the murder of Minnesota's Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, to the Austin attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, to the shooting of United Health Executive Brian Thompson, and the shooting several years ago of Representative Steve Scalise. This chilling rise in violence has targeted public officials across the political spectrum.

Sadly, this is not a new phenomenon. We all remember the assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy, John Lennon, Medgar Evans, and the attempted assassinations of President Ronald Reagan and Alabama Governor George Wallace.

This is a difficult and contentious moment in American history. Democracy in our country and throughout the world is under attack and there are a lot of reasons for that which need serious discussion.

But bottom line, if we honestly believe in democracy, if we believe in freedom, all of us must be loud and clear. Political violence, regardless of ideology, is not the answer and must be condemned.
Bernie Sanders
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Pretzel · 70-79, M
Wow...I disagree with him on some of his viewpoints...what if this old white man had been elected prez....

He's absolutely right on all points. The correct response to a difference in opinion is debate - or calling out a diseased point of view.

It is not deciding to become judge, jury, and executioner because you believe the idea to be dangerous.

Martyrs become icons.
@Pretzel Yup, if he had been nominated instead of Hillary, he would have ANNIHILATED Trump in 2016. But the DNC top brass were terrified of him as well, because they profit just as much from the system as most Republicans.
SumKindaMunster · 51-55, M
Sanders usually says the correct thing, now does he DO the correct thing, is another question entirely.

Credit where credit is due...this is a lovely comment and he nails the current political environment we find ourselves in.
helenS · 36-40, F
@SumKindaMunster Violence will only lead to more violence. Violence begets violence.
Among the few Dems who consistently seems a decent human being with some morals and standards you can respect, whether you agree wih his politics or not
bookerdana · M
Does anyone really think assassination is a good thing for Democracy...we've had our fill here.. Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband forinstance
bookerdana · M
@Notsimilarreally Transgenders have actually nothing to do with any of this,thats a MAGA talking point..and this story is falling apart like a 5 dollar Chines suit
Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F
@bookerdana from what I understand, they very well might. Not only was his lover transgender, but the groups being investigated as taking part behind the scenes are trans rights groups. Other people knew Charlie would be killed before it happened, have you heard of the songs posted one titled Charlie dead at 31, for example?
bookerdana · M
@Notsimilarreally [media=https://youtu.be/rcXDvOW0diw]

long but informative
helenS · 36-40, F
When the Gracchi brothers were killed (Tiberius Gracchus in 133BCE, and Gaius Gracchus in 121BCE), political violence was introduced into the Roman Republic, and that violence lead to the tyranny of Caesar and "Augustus", and to the end of the Roman Republic (SPQR).
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Nice copy and paste of my post :)
Notsimilarreally · 31-35, F
@wildland now this is actually valuable information 🙃
@Notsimilarreally It sure is :) That's why I shared it.
Jenny1234 · 56-60, F
1000% true
YoMomma ·
What democracy in general is and what the groups in America have become are two very different stories because they are beyond corrupt and outright hostile and evil to us here

 
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