Like the last Trumpet of Jericho
My phone rang today, almost at the exact moment I was reading on Twitter about Charlie Kirk being shot. It was one of my best friends—someone I talk to often, especially when events like this happen—so before he said a single word, I already knew it wasn’t fake news.
I hate to admit it, but this doesn’t even surprise me anymore. It feels like we’re barreling toward self-destruction as a country, and most of the people in charge seem either asleep at the wheel or comfortably living in a world of alternative facts.
Today feels historically terrifying to me—almost like the assassination of Charlie Kirk is the last trumpet of Jericho, the sound announcing a downfall. I wish I could be positive, but I can’t. And to be clear, I’m not saying this because I agreed with Kirk; the opposite is true. I’m saying it because Pandora’s box has been opened.
I told my friend it might be best for us—sincerely—to stop discussing political things online. “Don’t engage,” I said with real concern. “Someone could twist our words to suggest we condone what just happened, and that could make us targets for righteous bullets ourselves.” I meant every word.
I’ve been outspoken in my opposition to Trump and his ideas. In my view, he’s driving the country into the ground, hyperinflating the dollar, and taxing everyone to death. Politically, I oppose everything MAGA stands for—and that’s no secret. But to celebrate the death of a rival? What is that? What’s happening to us?
My friend said he thinks we’re reaching a civil-war-level boiling point, and I have to agree. Maybe it’s not the North and the South this time, but the separation is unmistakable, and the animosity is just as fierce.
For what it’s worth, I’m glad we still have this space where we can vent and discuss. But this might be the last time I touch on politics for a long while.
MenO
My partner also mentioned it's gonna get worse. I was on a call with my partner while he was driving back from work and he said people at the hospital was talking about some politicians being shot dead. He asked me to look it up and it was Charlie kirk. We both were surprised and then thinks that it's heading towards that direction of civil war. But everywhere is reaching those boiling points too, even living here right now, the situation isn't so great.
I wonder if these cases all around will make us become more apathetic because we're fearing for our lives just because we believed in something different.
Good point. I'm in a privileged position in a way. I'm far from that chaos. Technically, I'm safe... technically. But, I have family and friends back in the US, it was my home for most of my life, and I care. What can I say?
If I was there, would I even write this? I don't know. I may be reaching a point of paranoia, I have to admit. But, does it not seem like crazy shit is commonplace now?
I'm sure mass shootings are about to sky rocket too. Imagine sending your children to school in this environment. I couldn't do it.
Crazy shit is common these days and I saw the vile stuff over tiktok cheering that Charlie is dead. It is disgusting that we're even reaching that point. That type of thing further divide people too.
It's hard not to be paranoid for sure. I avoid the news these days for the same reason, everywhere is a shit show.
My two cents are #civilwar is rage since the injunction in Texas on abortion took place - #lawfare. I hope people keep calm and no one send troops to universities now. Godspeed!
What's civil about war anyways?
!BBH !HOP
I'm afraid they will get sent, and the "freedom loving patriots" will love it.
Exactly — that’s absolutely within the realm of possibilities. What’s ironic is that the so-called “freedom loving patriots” would end up cheering on the very nightmare they claim to fear most: a massive government agency 🚔, faceless officials masked or stripped of any clear identification 😷, showing up to deport people. It’s the ultimate contradiction — embracing authoritarian overreach while pretending to defend liberty. ⚖️🔄
If not civil war, I see torches and pitchforks.
I agree with everything you said, I guess we are of the same mindset.
Just this morning I saw some videos of Nepal. Shit hit the fan there, and big time. Is that what we are to expect back home?
It's not unimaginable. Not to me at least.
I saw that too, all the Gen Z fighting back after the Social Media ban.
Yeah, that's not out of question. And part of me thinks that demented oompa-loompa wants it to happen.
Trump's grip on the media is not drowning out opposing voices enough. I can imagine, quite easily too, his administration coming down on social media hard. If it happens, then we know the likely outcome.
I have a feeling they are going to try what the UK did and require ID to login to places like that "to protect the children" so they know exactly: who said what and where they live...
From this side of the Atlantic is looks like the US is breaking down. Various people are getting attacked and sometimes killed in what seem like political acts. I don't know much about Kirk so I can only say it's tragic that he died like this. It really doesn't help when politicians demonise their opponents. They are all just people who may have different opinions on how to run the country. Saying they want to destroy it is divisive. Then if you make guns easily available then some people with serious issues can get hold of them. I hope things can improve.
I saw the "had a guy" yesterday, but now word is, it was the wrong dude. How do you calm the waters now?
I know twitter is not reality, but the rhetoric on there, right now, is disgusting. There are people literally calling out for blood.
I avoid Twtr. Weren't people celebrating when the insurance CEO got shot? How many people have to die? I expect security has been ramped up for the Tr-mp clan.
yes, that happened as well... Charlie, however, is being made into a martyr. It hits differently.
Sadly it's a reflection of what is happening globally.
Did you see the news on Nepal?
I didn't.
I saw the early footage of him getting shot, minutes after it happened and I just assumed it was some kind of meme (and brushed it off). I’m so jaded with all the shootings and mass violence everywhere. When I then saw some people I follow making tribute videos on YouTube, I was like “holly shit! It was real!”.
I didn’t even particularly like the guy much but this really broke my heart. Didn’t he just get married recently? I immediately thought of his little child (children?) that’s now fatherless. His wife now a widow. Why can’t people just allow others to have a different opinion without this kind of violet retort? Something needs to change.
I'm not in the US anymore, but I was, I would be packing my bags.
Congratulations. It's still the greatest country on earth, but that ship is sinking very rapidly.
This is really worrying. The level of hate and violence just keeps rising, and it feels like things are only getting worse. I understand why you want to stay out of political talks, it doesn’t feel safe anymore.