Rowe | Arowe Films

Along with so many of you, I am inundated with, and have been reading hundreds of posts about Charlie Kirk, about his death, and about people’s reactions to it. I want to be clear that I wasn’t a fan of Charlie’s, but I want to be equally clear that I am horrified by his violent and untimely death/murder. Yet, I am disgusted, too, by the blatant hypocrisy I see in so many posts. Charlie had and clearly communicated very strong opinions about homosexuality, trans people, race, immigration and other topics. It was his right to do so under the 1st Amendment. I found many of his opinions offensive, but I did not seek to silence him in any way, because I understand the vital importance and necessity of the 1st Amendment in a free society. There are many people distraught and revolted by others they believe have celebrated Charlie’s death and are calling for some punitive measures against them. This is where the hypocrisy creeps in. Do you really believe that no one celebrated the death/murder of Martin Luther King, Jr, or Bobby Kennedy or Medgar Evers? Of course there were people who were thrilled with that news. We just did not have social media to publicize it at that time. And when we as a society decide someone is evil or bad, we do in fact celebrate their death. Osama Bin Laden’s death via US military was greeted with great satisfaction and joy. Hitler’s suicide was celebrated across the world. Note to those of you ready to call me vile names - I am NOT saying Charlie Kirk was evil. My point is people do in fact celebrate the death of others, both public figures and those in their private lives. And as offensive as any of us find that, they have the right to feel that way and say they feel that way. Seeking to have them fired, deported, jailed- whatever - is not patriotic, it’s the antithesis of patriotism. The 1st Amendment produces uncomfortable moments for all of us. I have seen the KKK march down the streets and been appalled and felt that it shouldn’t be permitted. The antisemitic marches in Charlottesville and other towns sickened me. But then I remember the Constitution that I took an oath to defend and protect as I served my country for over 20 years. The discomfort we feel at times is the price of our own freedom of speech. I feel great sympathy for Charlie’s family and friends and I have prayed for him. But we should not surrender the 1st amendment because of his death.