Things I Think…
1. In an excellent post on Axios, Mike Allen listed the reasons why our political and social situation is in such dire straits:
- Everything is politics. Politics has seeped into, well, everything: where we worship, what we drive, where we live, where we shop, and what we drink, the books we read, the words we ban. The result: this puts more people in more settings on edge.
- Everyone gets sucked into it. Politics use to be mostly boring and largely confined to political professionals and enthusiasts. Now, everyone gets sucked in: CEOs (Elon Musk), investors (David Sacks and Reid Hoffman), actors (George Clooney), sports stars (Aaron Rodgers).
- Social media’s bombast bias. The loudest, most provocative, most bellicose voices echo loudest on most social media platforms. It’s the quickest way to fans, followers and fame. It seduces people to say and write things they might muffle or calibrate in person or with more words. Read X in moments since the shooting — it’s often horrifying and gross.
- Visceral vs. academic. Politics are no longer fought on the academic terms of the 1990s and 2000s: higher taxes vs. lower taxes, lighter vs. heavier regulation, more military spending vs. less. Now it’s about our identity: our patriotism, our values, our feelings and emotions. So attacks feel personal, not policy-centric.
- Existential. Both sides frame this election as not one fight for one four-year term, but a battle for America and humanity. People don’t threaten civil wars over COLA adjustments for Social Security recipients. They do to save the nation and our species.
2. I will reiterate what I said before…political violence can not have a place in a republic…though history tells us that It often does. Both those calling to take America for Christ by force and those lamenting that the shooter missed are in this violent lineage…
3. It is possible to both denounce the horrific violence against Donald Trump and continue to be honest about the person he is and his inordinate influence on the church…we will continue to do so…
4. There are a lot of people saying that God (or an angel) protected Trump from the shot meant to kill him. If that is true, I wonder why the church going father who lost his life saving his family was left without divine protection…mythology and narrative building work well with the omission of some facts…
5. I do believe we are in an existential battle… for the church…
6. Calls for unity are foolish at this juncture…we live in very different worlds, not geographically, but ideologically. The question will be how we manage to live together without even greater violence …
7. I am an academic minded person…theologically and otherwise. Facts and ideas were what I was raised on…this new world has no place for people like me who want to measure carefully and thoughtfully…nor does that way have any appeal to the masses anymore…
8. My instincts are quite apocalyptic at the moment…the question is how should a Christian behave before the apocalypse?
9. Social media is a plague…simply because it shows us who we really are…
10. I think the way I live and speak for the last few years of my life will count more than all I’ve done before…because these times will be harder than the ones before…
Michael,
The 1930s were almost a century ago, but they seem much closer than the 2030s in our current state. A stalemated European war, antisemitism, political violence and all the rest. As they say, history may not repeat itself but it rhymes…
As Christians, we better buckle up and dust off the writings of Bonhoeffer, Barth and Oscar Romero…
Visceral vs. Academic is a huge one–because it’s about feelings instead of evidence. Evidence/conclusive proof is no longer a requirement or even heft in a conversation, disagreement, court case, or political discussion. “Everyone knows…” begins so many claims, all without any verifiable facts. Logic and connecting the dots factually is not just in the back seat, they may be in the trunk or packed up in the garage.
Duane,
I’m spending as much time with Bonhoeffer as I can…buckling up.
fil,
You articulated that really well…it is my greatest frustration.
It used to be that the words we used mattered…now it just matters how loud you say them…
Thought 6:
The call for unity lasted for an hour or two:
“Today is not just some isolated incident,” Vance posted on X about two hours after the incident. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
Disgusting!
Jean,
you can say that again….’President Biden’s re-election campaign chairwoman claimed Monday that “Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people,” Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.
When talk of “unity” comes up, my thoughts always turn to the church. People seem to be thinking in one or two ways: Unity of beliefs/values: doctrine; or unity of what I would call personhood. By “personhood” I mean that we are all Americans or we are all Christians, and on that basis we should treat one another with respect. We should not demonize/dehumanize or make the other into an enemy of the state/church which must be destroyed.
I think everyone here knows who popularized, weaponized and mastered the art of the dehumanization of political opponents. So I find some of these calls for unity rich, to say the least.
Asking the over 60 crowd here: was the metaphorical violent rhetoric a thing back in the day? Maybe I wasn’t paying attention. Fairly recently, I remember Palin being criticized for using the bullseye target (while Biden did the same) and Obama’s “they bring a knife, you bring gun,” verbiage before Palin was ignored. Of course all were meant to be metaphorical. What politicians talked like that in the last century? Yes, I know fights used to break out in congress and some members carried pistols. I’m asking about within our lifetimes? Trumps bombastic statements are a given.
JD Vance is a Mussolini wannabe and waving political red meat to the conspiracy incels MAGAs. Considering the shooter was a registered republican and used their favorite firearm (AR15), they may want to look at themselves in the mirror first. I wonder how long before the Alex Jones conspiracy nutjobs start claiming it was the “Deep State.”
“Deep state” would probably be a great drinking game while watching the current RNC.
Things in America are pretty much as they have been; 4 presidents assassinated, four others with serious attempts that we know about, one wounded by an assassin, two candidates shot while running, and two former presidents wounded while running again. Pretty standard fare for us.
The 1930s have been invoked. We might add to the list the Holodomor conducted by our future ally whose acts we helped cover suppressing the condemning evidence.
If the target is as he is incessantly compared then that lad was a martyr. We pray neither is actually the case.
Frankly the only status for the church is repentance and prayers for those who rule us. Kingdom praying never fails. It always leaves the true King to sort it all but likely calls upon us to bear the present costs.
There was plenty of violence in the political movements of the 60s: all the violence that accompanied the desegregation of the South, the assassinations of Malcolm X and John F Kennedy in’64, the radicalization of the Black Panthers, inner city race riots, the assassinations of King and Bobby Kennedy in ‘68, the radicalization and violent protests of the peace movement.,,I could go on. It’s how Nixon got himself elected on his law and order platform.
Here’s the thing:
If you really believe Trump is a Hitler, then as Alan suggests, the guy on the roof is a hero, like the protagonist in the movie Valkyrie.
If you think the guy on the roof is a villain, then you don’t really believe Trump is a Hitler.
If people continually say Trump’s a HItler, someone’s going to take it seriously and try to take out the Hitler. Words have consequences.
Those who have been on the PhxP for years might remember that I myself used to say Trump was a HItler. I don’t say that anymore. Words have consequences.
Let us not forget the guy that tried to kill Pelosi but instead seriously injured her husband, nor January 6th either.
The man is not yet a Hitler and the man who fired the shot is not a hero.
Do I believe that Trump could turn out to be a dictator who destroys this democracy?
Yes…but I doubt he will have the opportunity to be as evil as Hitler.
We will see what the church has to say in a few years…
Michael,
That is the question. How much damage and shredding of our Constitutional Republic will Trump and his MAGA-minions do if they are back in power? How much will our credibility and trust suffer if Trump abandons our allies in Europe, Ukraine, and elsewhere? How much more of hit will the church get in continuing to be so aligned with Trump?
Not be a pessimist, but depending on how things go and how much Christians are in the tank for trump, the term Christian will become a term of derision, scorn, and contempt once the dust settles. Right up there with child molester, Nazi, and Crusader. Think of the rep “Christians” got in the Sack of Constantinople in 1204 but magnify it about 100,000 times. Especially if Trump and Vance wish to pursue “extra-Constitutional” measures to advance their agenda like they have mentioned and contemplated (which Evangelicals will support or not say anything).
Basically something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgxZr6LLS34
But replace the cheerers in the scene with the MAGA followers (including the Christians)
Without a doubt, Trump displays some similar character traits and tendencies as Hitler, and the way people swoon to him, even in his evil ways, is certainly Hitleresque. I also agree with Michael that I think our systems would prevent Trump, or anybody else for that matter, from carrying out nearly the level of evil that Hitler did. Of course, our systems are also not a foolproof guarantee.
A person cannot be righteously killed based on what they may do, otherwise, many of us could then be righteously taken out in our worst moments of thought. When a person starts actively carrying out great murder and evil and there is no other feasible way to stop them, that is when I believe it can become righteous and just to end their life, such as in the attempt to take out Hitler. On a simpler level, if someone starts shooting up a school, they can and ought to be killed to put an end to their actions. I also would hope to never be tasked with deciding when such action is necessary, as that is a very grave and daunting thing to discern and carry out.
Sorry to be the party pooper, but neat binary constructions generally offer poor choices and often miss the truth. There is a wide range of options regarding not only the assassination attempt, but assessing Trump’s value or risk as a presidential hopeful. I prefer Alan’s suggestion that Christians do as we’ve been directed–pray in a Kingdom manner and for our temporal leaders.
Michael wrote “The man is not yet a Hitler and the man who fired the shot is not a hero.”
This is true and very reasonable. When you hear/read Trump compared to Hitler, Michael, being reasonable, is not inspired to violence.
Our world today is sorely lacking in reasonable people.
The point of my post was a caution: Words have consequences.
fil,
You are theologically correct…but I don’t see it ever happening in a dispassionate way.
I’m more and more inclined to simple disengagement…I am limiting how much “news” I take in and spending what little time I have trying to discern what the Spirit is saying to me about what I should think and what I should say.
The personality issues have detracted attention from the real issues we face in areas that government could address.
Spiritually, I’ve never felt so isolated in my life.
I think we’ve done here what we were called to do…that’s what I’ll be judged on.
” “…That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
Disgusting!”
And yet I’d bet that you’d agree that Trump’s rhetoric directly lead to the Jan. 6 riot.
Words do have consequences.
“A person cannot be righteously killed based on what they may do,…”
But that’s not what’s been said, here or in the media. We’re told “He IS Hitler”, not that he may be Hilter. We’re told he IS a threat to democracy, that he IS a dictator. We are told that we must do what’s necessary to stop him from being president.
Because of this, I was neither shocked nor surprised of the attempt on Trump’s life. I was only surprised it took some as long as it did.
Everstudy 12:57 — solid take
I have already heard the conspiracy claims (I won’t call them theories they are not codified enough) However, I have listened to enough analysis from various viewpoints. There are only two good options… colossal ineptitude (never doubt this with humans) or malicious intent ( present but not as likely). Ineptitude has a cause and political claims will abound. DEI? Did that cause lowering of morale and/or standards? Almost for sure if true. Malicious intent? Worst possible outcome. Worst possible belief. When people believe malicious intent they get irrational. I can think of an analogy but it would needlessly inflame.
How do we get down from here? First, these leaders (candidates and others) are the best way through. They could change the narrative by personal will, courage and decision. (They won’t likely do it.) Second, we the people. And yes that is where WE the church can play a role.
Will we.
This space is a good microcosm.
Everstudy,
Vance pronounced his conclusion within an hour or two of the shooting. What information did he have (could he have had) do deduce the shooter’s motive? He jumped on the partisan slander bandwagon out of the gate. He had no idea why the shooter shot at Trump or what rhetoric he may have heard/read. That’s not leadership. Not even close.
As far as I have read, no one at this time knows what motivated the shooter or even what his political leanings are.
We do know that Trump was shot, one person was killed, two were critically injured and the shooter is dead because of the gun policies of the Republican party.
Everystudy,
I cannot speak for the media, but I think you would be hard pressed to find anywhere here where it has been said that, “Trump IS Hitler”, or any language whatsoever saying that we must do whatever necessary to stop him from becoming president.
It is possible to be critical, even harshly critical, without intimating or encouraging violence. One only needs to look at some of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees.
Michael,
Disengagement…that’s about where I’m at. But, I’m still engaged enough to vote. However, I’ve realized that I don’t need to internalize and react to every hiccup on my news fee.
What I do find interesting is that as people heckle Biden for his age (and I am concerned about his functioning), but Trump is no spring chicken, either, at 78. Nor does he lead a healthy lifetyle-ergo, he could have a major heart attack, stroke, whatever when he is in office. Just my thoughts.
Meanwhile, I’m making the world a better place by teaching English to little children from China and Japan (we have about 50 on our elementary campus and another 50 on the middle school campus). Learning and playing together really does help us to see each other as human.
Jean,
I don’t think we can place the killings squarely on gun policies of the Republican party. Obviously, the Republican party is more pro-gun, but there were periods during both the Biden and Obama presidency when Democrats also controlled both Houses of Congress, but did not pass any legislation that would have prevented the father of this shooter from purchasing and owning the gun that the shooter used.
It was strongly defended on a thread in conversation about Godwin’s Law that the analogy of Trump to Hitler was indeed appropriate and defensible. It wasn’t ambiguous.
I am happy for everyone to back off of it with dignity but not with a mere denial.
Alan,
You and Everstudy need to be reminded of Hanlon’s Razor.
“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity (or incompetence).”
How about the fact that the shooter site was in the zone covered by local LEOs not the Secret Service people? One possibility divided between the 2 areas of responsibility with each group presuming that the other one was covering it, it which case it was a planning or communications breakdown.
As for the conspiracy claims, let just say that if the so-called “Deep State” wanted Trump dead, they would not have missed. And even if one presumes that the dead shooter was a patsy like some people claim about Oswald, then the other shooter(s) would not have missed. And they certainly would not have used a .223 AR rifle at 130 meters to do it. The Texas Book Depository only works once, especially when you have a Secret Service counter sniper team doing overwatch.
Alan,
I’d have to review that thread as I don’t think I took part in it and can’t remember the particulars. I wouldn’t be surprised if people compared Trump to Hitler in regards to mindset, but I would find it hard to believe that anyone made accusations that Trump has committed similar atrocities as Hitler, or that he definitely would take such actions if given the opportunity, or that whatever action necessary to stop him needs to take place before Trump would potentially have the opportunity.
Ghul,
You didn’t read what I said. I did not make either claim but gave the first primary possibility.
Alan,
I know you didn’t make the claim, I was just piggybacking off your comment to add further detail.
If that makes sense.
I was addressing the conspiracy theorists in general, not you.
My apologies if it did not come across that way.
Received.
Grace and peace to you. We shall deal with one another charitably.
Based on the conjectures of this thread, it’s a miracle that Hilary Clinton and Mike Pence are still alive.
As for the Hitler/ Trump comparison…Hitler was a unique evil that took advantage of the socio-economic times he was in to become listed historically with the most evil men in human history.
I do believe that Trump aspires to that level of power and we have a populace that is ready to receive a strong man.
He has already spoken of doing things that I would classify as evil..and who knows what he will do when he grasps power?
Our system and our military would neutralize him before he ever got close to the murderous evil of Hitler.
I hope.
Presidential administrations are very much about who comes into power with a President…many of those who worked with him in his first presidency warn us of who he really is. He is making sure that this time there is no one who will differ from him and check his basest instincts.
To be honest, I feel nothing but doom and judgment upon us…appeals to church unity around such a man stagger my imagination.
My loyalty is to Christ alone…and I trust He will care for us no matter what happens.
>>>My loyalty is to Christ alone…and I trust He will care for us no matter what happens.<<<
The best advice.
Linn,
Due to my current circumstances I have had to disengage and engage in priestly and pastoral concerns.
I gave my mother Last Rites last night in anticipation of her death.
It has been insanely hot here for a long time and there will be fires (oddly analogous to our present social situation) so I’ve been preparing myself and others for the inevitable evacuations.
I don’t know many happy people…being able to be in public again has not been fruitful.
I see what you do with the children as the work of God…a ministry. It will bear fruit after this is all over.
Blessings on your work.
>>>I don’t know many happy people
You know me.
Xenia,
Yes, and I’m glad you’re happy and well.
Michael, what constitutes a happy person to you?
Interesting conversation, especially in light of the fact that JD Vance himself once said that, ” Trump might turn into America’s Hitler.”
Antony,
That smells like bait and I don’t eat this early in the morning…
Good morning Michael, I hope you’re doing well this morning. I can offer a thought perhaps on #8…
When Jesus rode into town before Passover Week, the crowds were ripe for apocalypse. They were itching for it. They expected Him to be the one to deliver it. That’s why they were welcoming Him in Maccabean fashion.
What was Jesus’ response to an Apocalypse that He too, knew was coming? The very next day He commenced teaching the people in the Temple. The Word of God. That was the real need, not revolution. That was the real answer, not revolution.
Sadly, they chose revolution…”Give Us Barabbas”. A loud and clear choice. And Jesus told them that their enemies would cast a trench about them and wall them in on every side…because they did not recognize the Day of their Deliverance.
But He had delivered them the true answer.
That’s how Christians should behave before an Apocalypse. Most will reject it. Most will say that’s a completely inadequate response. But some won’t. And as many as received…to those He gave the power to become the sons of God.
Lord bless.
Happiness is ephemeral, temporal its intensity depends on context
#4 doesn’t hold water. God can do anything he wants and the question of why bad things that happen to good people is addressed all over the bible.
Things I think, in response to the current crisis.
1. Regarding the attempt on Trump’s life, it’s almost impossible to know what to believe. I can, however, believe what I saw with my own eyes on video, and from what I saw, the Secret Service has some ‘splaining to do.
1B. I’ve seen some incriminating photos but I can’t tell if they are AI or real photos. I don’t trust anyone from either side as far as reporting goes. But the videos of the shooting appear to be legit.
2. Beginning with the short overweight female SS agent who was heard asking “What are we doing? What are we doing?” and couldn’t holster her gun. I “speculate” she was a DEI hire. I further “speculate” that that female head of the SS, Miss “slightly sloped roofs are too dangerous for our agents” is also a DEI hire and there are “rumors” her appointment was encouraged by Doctor Jill Biden. Allegedly.
3. Trump’s rising up and addressing the crowd was pretty spectacular, whether you like him or not.
4. I wish Vivek R. was a Christian instead of a Hindu so I could vote for him. He’s smart and seems to love America.
5. >>>Trigger warning for the delicate<<< I think Biden hates Americans. Everything he does and says demonstrates he hates people like me and my friends.
6. Nevertheless I hope the old guy refuses to quit because if he stays in, Trump, with all his faults, will win. Trumps surely would not be my number one choice but I do prefer him over Biden, who, even at his most alert, was intolerable.
7. There's a lot of peculiarities surrounding the assassination attempt, and it comes down to (1) A sinister plot, (2) A lone nut or (3) Ineptitude. I personally think it was a combination of all three, wherein Someone found a Lone Nut to shoot at Trump, relying on DEI-empowered Ineptitude to do the job.
8. If the PhxP has lost Dread, the blog has lost one of the people that made it a delight to read. No one writes like Dread, it's pure poetry. He was the only one here who sees things more or less as I do. It appears I am the last person standing.
9. After this post, we'll see how long that lasts.
Due to my current personal circumstances I’ve been unable to do much here except react occassionally.
I will say that the buck here has always stopped at my desk and still does…I’ve never written to be popular and I’ve never counted the cost too much for anything I’ve written or published.
My sole desire has been to be faithful to my calling…to correctly understand the ways of Jesus and practice as I’ve learned.
I’ve always ended up outside the camp…and it seems I am there again…I guess I’d better have heard correctly.
Michael
You can only tell the truth as you see it. You cannot chase down a 1001 conspiracy theories and the twisted logic they engender. It reminds me of certain of the church fathers who had to face gnostic fantasies on almost a weekly basis. They could chase down one fantasy even as a new one was in the making… It is a no-win proposition.
Xenia,
Except of course this gunman spotted and reported to the local LEOs who did not act in a timely manner. Likewise, the shooter was immediately outside the perimeter where everyone was searched and in zone of responsibility of the local law enforcement, not the Secret Service. That building should have been secured the local law enforcement, and their sniper team on the roof but it wasn’t (lack of manpower they said). As I said in another email, if this really was a so-called “Deep State” conspiracy, Trump would have been dead. Period.
So in reality it was (2) and (3), not (1) (2) and (3).
To quote Hanlon’s Razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity (or incompetence).”
You and Dread and many other conspiracy-prone Christians need to reminded of Isaiah 8:12 and 1 Timothy 1:4.
Historically, one must remember you only get 1 chance to kill the king, so you better make it count. Using a disturbed 20 year old with mediocre marksmanship with a .223 rifle at 130 meters in the presence of at least 2 counter sniper teams is not how a “conspiracy” or sinister cabal would do it.
But then facts, logic, and common sense tend to be lacking in the conspiracy prone and they are completely ignorant or deliberately ignore Occam’s Razor.
“Historically, one must remember you only get 1 chance to kill the king, so you better make it count. Using a disturbed 20 year old with mediocre marksmanship with a .223 rifle at 130 meters in the presence of at least 2 counter sniper teams is not how a “conspiracy” or sinister cabal would do it.”
Exactly.
Even the narrative floating around that DEI is somehow responsible for the conduct of the Secret Service is without evidence. Do we know the moral of the Secret Service? If it is low, do we know why it is low? Do we know who planned the security for the event? Can women or minorities do a competent job, or is the assumption that they can’t and are only at the Secret Service because of DEI. What about local police? Did they fail apart from the Secret Service? If local police failed, is it common or somehow this Secret Service only that relied too much on local police?
I expect partisan politicians to point fingers like imbeciles who can’t cobble together a rational thought. But Christians IMO should be truth seekers and truth tellers, and not false witness originators or spreaders.
Looking at the footage, it seems the Secret Service reacted per SOP. The counter sniper teams deal with the long-range, while the counter-assault team (CAT) sets up a perimeter to deal with potential close-in threats. At the same, the protective detail provided close in shielding with their bodies and cover. The CAT would combat the close-in threats and hold them off long enough for the protective detail to get the high value asset to out of the threat zone, to a waiting vehicle and escape. It is a tough nut to crack, but doable with the right amount planning, resources, and operator talent. I have some ideas on how it could be done in that particular location and set-up, but a single 20 year old is not it.
Which begs the question, if there were breakdowns between local LEO and the Secret Service and other planning/logistical issues, they need to addressed and fixed. They need to a failure analysis on what wrong, because the next time it might not be a mentally disturbed 20 year old doing the shooting. Think another shooter with a better rifle (say an M21) and is a former Marine Scout Sniper. 130m would be child’s play (and he may even take out a couple of the counter snipers before he goes down).
R’, I am willing to entertain the possibility that there was no conspiracy to shoot Trump and it was only the Lone Nut + Ineptitude.
I will not relent on my contention that DEI is partly responsible for the Ineptitude. You all might be shocked to learn that I do not believe women are capable of performing all types of jobs well.
Huh. I think my old friend Jean just called me a liar.
I don’t want to cause anymore contention as this is a tough time for Michael.
Hasta la Vista.
Xenia,
I did not even mention DEI or address it in my post. Also, the roof from which the shooter fired was supposed to be covered by local police. The building’s access was supposed to be controlled by the local police.
It was local police that were trying to get on the roof to stop him. Again, it was outside the Secret Service zone. This points more to a breakdown in planning, coordination, and communication (and possible local LEO resource issues), rather than an overweight female Secret Service agent (one could ask the same about overweight male cops – hence the donut shop stereotype). The overweight agent is a separate issue that does need to be addressed.
As for the low-sloped roof being too dangerous, in some ways they are. A person with elevation has a tactical advantage over those below him. The danger is that when trying to get onto the roof. A low slope has much less cover as you come up (presumably you are on the opposite side of the peak from the shooter when you coming up).
perhaps “overweight” officers appear so because they are wearing body armor under their uniform tops and failure to holster a weapon is due to the stress of a real shooting scenario, in which almost every officer there was subject to. People often fail to perform effectively their first time ‘in the game.’ I imagine there will be a variety of failures made at the venue, and those will be sorted out and corrected, but new ones will be made next time, if and when (hopefully never) there is a next time. With the number of weapons out there and the degree of negativity and enemy-making talk…
Fil,
That’s right. The body armor on the plainclothes agents would be less visible unlike that on the CAT officers. Despite improvements in materials technology, body armor is still hot, can be comfortable and can restrict movement. I am sure there will be a detailed analysis on what wrong.