Within the last hour or so, President Trump and others have announced that law enforcement officers have apprehended the man who allegedly shot Charlie Kirk. The suspect's name is Tyler Robinson. Reporters are now scrambling to learn all they can about him. From what I am seeing, he has no previous criminal background. Officials have stated they believe he was acting alone.
Assuming they charge and try this young man, and assuming he is convicted, I would simply raise my voice here to beg the state: please don't execute him. The governor of Utah made a point in his initial press conference of stating, "We still have the death penalty in the State of Utah."
Many politicians and public figures from both left and right have said wise and true things since Kirk's assassination: that violence is never the answer; that it is not the way we solve problems in the United States. Can we not say the same about the death penalty? It comes across as an act of violent vengeance, rather than a meting out of justice.
State of Utah: please don't execute Tyler Robinson.
I'll add my voice to everything you said, but Trump says the trial should be tomorrow "like in China." Trump and Kirk himself have favored public executions, so hoping supporters don't agitate for that as some kind of fitting retribution.
ReplyDeleteAlso: Despite Gov Cox's reiteration of Utah's death penalty, he is also calling for more measured rhetoric. He deserves some credit for this effort reported by the Wa Post:
ReplyDeleteAs the 2023-2024 chair of the National Governors Association, Cox launched an initiative called “Disagree Better,” which championed civil debate that leads to solutions and reduces political polarization.
Next week, he is scheduled to appear alongside New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, at the University of Notre Dame for a fireside chat on how “Western state pragmatism” can serve as a model for reducing divisions.
Cox’s work on “Disagree Better” was meaningful, Lujan Grisham told The Washington Post. “I think he really tried to break through with both Democrats and Republicans,” she said, “and I’m a little disappointed that all of us didn’t do more to support his efforts. I love working with him.”
I've also heard that about him, and I admire it.
DeleteFWIW, I think we Catholics are called to be bridge builders. I associate it closely with the Eucharist.
It's a good theme for clergy of all flavors, even the ones who offer "fake" Communion. As a lifelong bridge-burner, back-talker, rule-breaker, snap-judger, and grudge-holder, it's certainly something I need to hear more.
DeleteJim, I agree with you and Jean, please don't execute him.
ReplyDeleteI knew little or nothing about Charlie Kirk prior to his murder.
What I am finding out is that there are both positive and some very negative things. The positives are that he seems to have been a good family man, and a practicing Christian (with some major flaws). The Democrats could learn from his style of engagement, in personally meeting and discussing with people.
The negatives are, wow, some pretty bad racism, particularly as regards black women, because he *knew* that any of them who were judges or anything like that were DEI appointments because they weren't smart enough to get there any other way and are occupying positions which rightly belong to white men. And everybody knows white men only get in their positions by intrinsic merit. I'll stop there because it's inappropriate to speak ill of the dead.
I am sincerely praying for the happy repose of his soul and comfort to his family. Bishop Barron has him already in heaven but last I checked Catholic belief was still that even the best of us might have time in purgatory.
I’m in a very impatient mood today. Sorry, but I am venting here. This group is patient and let me.
DeleteI’m sick of hearing from, and, about Robert Barron. Since he now seems to be a hero to most Catholics it’s increasingly unlikely that I will ever spend time in a Catholic parish again. They are mostly MAGA dominated, from the rectory to the people in the pews. Including all the programs in local Catholic parishes that use Barron’s stuff.
I am opposed to the death penalty - period. But conservatives aren’t - they fight to preserve it, including the so called “ pro- lifers “.
It’s doubtful that the shooter will be allowed to live in either a mental health facility or a prison.
I don't think I have heard Barron mentioned on the parish level. Seems like he is one of those very online presences. Pope Francis didn't promote him to cardinal, sent him to a smaller diocese in Wisconsin. I don't see Pope Leo giving him a red hat, either. Seems like he let a little fame go to his head.
DeleteUnfortunately it seems likely that the deciding factor on whether Tyler Robinson gets the death penalty is if he left any writings or videos out there that could be construed as "leftist". I'm praying that all they will find is a bunch of mentally ill ramblings.
Barron’s stuff is used in adult Ed at the local Catholic parishes that we once attended. It’s been several years, but one of the last planning meetings I attended ( as a guest, not a member) at our old parish the group members were gushing about how great Barron is and that they were ordering more Word on Fire videos. This was sometime in the pre- Covid period. I read the bulletins online - Barron is still big in my former parishes.
DeleteIn the little I’ve read about the shooter, he was anti- fascist, and a video gamer. He etched his bullets with anti- fascist slogans and apparently with symbols used in video gaming. I’m wondering where he learned to shoot. A lot of comments online say that he was as skilled as a professional sniper. Maybe, or maybe he just got “lucky”. Lousy description but it conveys the idea. Is being anti- fascist the same as “ leftist”? Since many in the MAGA world apparently admire some fascists of history, including even Hitler these days, then anyone opposing fascism would be leftist. Of course he’s mentally ill. But is he the “ right” kind of mentally ill.
Barron's Word on Fire ministry had a multi-part video series that was used, once I think, by our parish faith formation team for an adult series. I believe the same series has been telecast on our local Chicago PBS station, probably more than once. It's sort of Sunday-afternoon broadcast fare for them.
DeleteFWIW, the same adult faith formation team now shows each season of The Chosen as it's released. It's the most well-attended series they've ever done.
I've probably mentioned before: Barron gave a keynote address once to the Chicago deacons, a number of years ago now. I found him quite likeable. Smart, articulate, energetic, full of good humor. Didn't come across as a culture warrior.
I''ve probably also mentioned: when I was in formation, the program used one of his books as a text book. I believe it was "And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation". It was sort of vintage Barron, in that he used the arts - in this case, literature - as a portal to the divine. I remember he used a William Faulkner short story, The Bear, as a point of departure for one chapter.
I get the idea that Barron has changed in the past few years. Like I was saying, maybe a little fame went to his head.
DeleteThe arts as a portal to the divine is good, we can be inspired by great works of art and literature. But I don't know that I think it's really catechesis. Seems like The Chosen comes closer. Barron' works could be an effective study aid.
I am really disappointed in how he has cozied up to Trump and MAGA world.
Update - According to unidentified Utah sources, the shooter was to the right of Kirk, was a fan of Nick Fuentes, and thought Charlie Kirk wasn’t radical enough. Stay tuned. TRUMP,
Deleteand his fans won’t like this if it’s true.
It's almost a relief to find out he wasn't a "leftist". Maybe they will ease up on that narrative. I suppose it is too much to hope for that MAGA will examine their own responsibility in causing this latest political violence.
DeleteThe connection with Nick Fuentes appears to be pretty vague, related to gaming.
DeleteThere’s really nothing that I can find online that provides credible information about his political views or motive. But he’s Probably not leftist. Apparently gave someone the impression that he wasn’t a fan of Kirk, but no real information available so far to the public.
MAGA and Trump are not easing up, they’re fanning the flames.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-memes-meaning
I haven't been able to follow the developments closely today, but it's possible we won't have a clear idea of his motives for weeks or even months - perhaps not ever. That's how it has been regarding Thomas Matthew Crooks, the young man who tried to shoot President Trump from a rooftop - an incident with striking parallels to this one.
DeletePost on local parish site asking for prayers for Kirk. I'm happy to pray for anybody. I've probably said more prayers for Donald Trump than any other public figure. But the posts go on to extol Kirk as a model Catholic, dad, and patriot, and that's disheartening.
ReplyDeleteDisheartening is putting it mildly.
DeleteI didn't think he was Catholic; some kind of evangelical?
DeleteYou're right. Maybe they're assuming Kirk was Catholic b/c his wife is. I dug a little, and some Catholic sites style him as a "friend to Catholicism" because he is anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-trans.
DeleteHe was an Evangelical. He may have been Catholic-curious via his wife; and apparently he recognized an affinity with Catholics for various causes that were important to him, such as being pro-life. According to JD Vance, the two of them discussed and debated religion and theology.
DeleteBut in my view, Kirk's whole "aura" was that of an Evangelical: a young, energetic, rather handsome, ambitious, entrepreneurial type. If he hadn't been such a shooting star in political advocacy, he might have become a church planter - a mega-church founder.
Jean - “… some Catholic sites style him as a "friend to Catholicism" because he is anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-trans.”
DeleteSad isn’t it. He’s seen as a friend to Catholicism NOT because the Catholic Church is pro- helping the poor, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger or loving your neighbor but because it is “anti” a whole bunch of things.
What exactly does the RCC really stand for?