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Rachel Luxemburg's avatar

The first thing that crossed my mind once the name of the assassinated politicians were released was to run to Wikipedia and find out whether or not either of them was Jewish, because given everything that's been going on in the country these last few weeks that was a real possibility.

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max skinner's avatar

And the guy who whacked Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer was actually Mr. Pelosi's lover so it was just a lover's spat. Why are people so eager to ignore what is plainly in front of them in favor of some farfetched "explanation?"

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David Souers's avatar

Tim, I am 76 years old, grew up in a Republican family. My parents voted for Nixon but found President Kennedy a very inspiring president. They then were quite disappointed with Nixon during Watergate. I have been registered as Independent, Republican & now Democrat. Please don’t suggest that most of us who are now Democrats or progressive Independents to be the “Left”. MAGA Republicans aren’t the “Right” either. They are extremists, perhaps antisocial extremists. They may be social within their exclusive groups. They may think they are Christian, but they are not that either. Christ was crucified for opposing much of what they promote.

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Marilyn's avatar

Thank you, Tim. As a Canadian with many American family and friends, I always follow American news. I cannot understand the fervour that many Americans bring to their political views. It seems to me that it is not just about attitude towards guns and the proliferation of weapons that make assassinations (and attempts) more frequent, but the right wing propaganda machine that encourages hate and the attitude that someone with thinks differently than oneself is "the enemy". It is really sick.

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Jeff Biss's avatar

My rule is to wait for releases from the valid authorities regardless of outlet, but as most people get their "information' from youtube, tiktok, etc. this will only get worse, especially as most news outlets are being replaced with entertainment because the "press" is now owned by investors who demand a ROI and news rooms are a cost center and so they are cut to the bone and as we've seen, they refuse to hold those in power accountable.

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Eugenie Taylor's avatar

Do we have to give these ignorant mentally ill folks any attention? Seriously, is it dangerous not to ignore them? They need help; not attention.

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Joe Murphy's avatar

Now that he's been caught alive and is about to spill his rotten MAGA guts, they'll have to have a fully revised story just 24 hours later. Don't worry: the faithful will lap it up like a dog lapping up its sick.

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Adam's avatar

It's worth noting that the Minnesota House was tied, and the Senate has a Democratic majority by one senator. So that explains why he started with these two on his list (a senator and house rep) before a "big hit" like Walz. After the assassination, the Minnesota House is now officially a Republican majority. So in addition to the goal of killing, he accomplished at least one of his political goals.

Worth also noting, on a more positive note and point of pride, after the assassination the governor urged everyone to stay home from No Kings Day in MN, and we still had 30,000 people show up.

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JaneJ's avatar

Would be interested to hear/read Will Sommers' take on how MAGA is reacting.

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Shanny P's avatar

My 24-yr-old son, currently serving in the military, had the same belief about the shooter being a Democrat, based on something he heard from whatever he’s listening to these days. 🫩

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David Parker's avatar

This in a microcosm is what has led us to the MAGA world we are in: the right-wing media gets lies running halfway around the world before the truth even gets its sneakers on. Biden focused on governing and believed that good policies would generate good news. That's not the world we live in anymore, where algorithms deliver to each individual only the bespoke lies they most desperately want to hear. I hate Steve Bannon but he's the man who gets it. This doesn't end until we have an answer to it.

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Claudia McKelway's avatar

Thank you Tim; wise words

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Mike B's avatar

Spinning the truth into something disgusting? Full employment for maga content providers!

Kind of mind boggling the hoops they jump through to turn this sad event into a dark conspiracy and ignore creepier things like trump's alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein...

https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU08/20250227/117951/HHRG-119-JU08-20250227-SD006-U6.pdf

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Amanda's avatar

Another way to look at it- it’s also common for groups who’ve been scapegoated also are hoping perp is not from their identity group. That seems reasonable.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

go back and read a biography of Kyle Rittenhouse the 18 year old the killed some people in Kenosha WI in 2020 and whats happened to him since then. The way that he was lionized by MAGA media and politicians and a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Largo. The excitement around killing protesters or angry citizens in the streets is unbelievable. The volume, intensity and duration of this in MAGA world is unreal. Mainstream America really isn't up to speed on this. It is a fascist death and violence cult

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Maria B's avatar

The way it's both common and completely acceptable among MAGA types to joke about running down protesters would be astonishing if MAGA politicians hadn't spent years nurturing the idea.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

yep...I mean not long ago a person talking like that at work would have been a freak just about anywhere in the country...now that's the whole room in about half the country

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Marshall's avatar

Everyone is clear Trump is going to pardon this guy right?

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Kentuckistan's avatar

nope not this time....Pam Bondi's DOJ and Kash Petals FBI probably won't even investigate this, so no Federal Charges. Presidents can't pardon somebody brought up and convicted in State Court.

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