America’s instigator in chief has created the atmosphere for political violence | Opinion
Political venom
Every decent person should condemn the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, per Miami Herald columnist Mary Anna Mancuso’s Sept. 11 op-ed, “Charlie Kirk shooting is a warning about rising political violence.” Arguably, however, the poisonous public rhetoric that normalizes political violence is what fueled Kirk’s murder.
Which political figure has promoted that normalization more than any other living American?
Hands down, Donald Trump.
From instigating the violent insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, to pardoning those who engaged in violence that day, to mocking a disabled reporter, to propagating conspiracies about the attack on U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, to deeming immigrants as vermin, to his desire to “lock-up” his political opponents, to using ICE agents to deport immigrants without due process to a horrific gang prison in El Salvador, to falsely claiming Haitian immigrants in Ohio eat dogs and cats, Trump’s rhetoric and actions deepen national divisions and encourage political violence.
Is there any doubt that Trump and MAGA will use the Kirk tragedy to further their authoritarian and anti-democratic goals? Does anyone think Trump seeks to “lower the temperature” in the nation?
MAGA voices are already calling for a “civil war” against “domestic terrorist” Democrats. Trump even claimed, with precisely zero evidence, that “the left” killed Kirk. And here is where mainstream Republican leadership has utterly failed at every level in condemning Trump’s past and present violent rhetoric and authoritarian actions.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, south Florida’s Republican Congressional members and every prominent local Republican all seem unable and unwilling to criticize Trump’s destructive rhetoric. It is this toleration of Trump’s excesses that poisons our culture and creates an atmosphere allowing political violence.
John Ise,
Miami Shores
Extreme risk
That Gov. Ron DeSantis has condemned “increasing levels of political violence” in this country while, in his own state, he pushes for open carry of guns, is ironic. He’s also had the Florida Department of Transportation paint over the rainbow crosswalk in Orlando, a memorial of the 49 people killed at the Pulse nightclub mass shooting in 2016.
Violence is never the answer, whether aimed at political figures, nightclub goers or innocent children praying in church on the first week of school.
Common sense gun laws, such as banning assault weapons, passing a universal background check and safe storage of any gun purchased, would help stem the tide of gun deaths that reach across every avenue of American life.
Gina Guilford,
Miami
Fractured America
Mary Anna Mancuso’s Sept. 12 op-ed, “Charlie Kirk shooting is a warning on rising political violence,” was right on target when she stated, “I don’t know what it will take to end shooting in America.” We live in the greatest country on Earth yet people of all ages are safer in Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba or in other non-democratic nations than here. In those countries, citizens are not allowed to purchase weapons of death and their people are not at risk of being victims of mass shootings or political vendettas. There are no Second Amendment rights.
Political violence and assassination in the United States is not new. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Rev. Martin Luther King and civil rights figure Malcom X are all examples of past political violence in America.
The difference now is that the flame of political rhetoric and deep division are continually fanned by a political, social and cultural movement that has moved us closer to an authoritarian rule bent on re-fighting the Civil War, hoping that this time, the white south will emerge victorious.
Edward Blanco,
Cutler Bay
Culture shock
As a Florida resident vacationing in Massachusetts, I received my COVID-19 vaccine thanks to that state’s enlightened political leadership. Conversely, our governor and his surgeon general have chosen to ignore science, while jeopardizing the health of thousands of Florida residents.
Not a surprise that residents of Northeastern states regard Florida as a backward Third World country.
George Fontana,
Key West
Bang bang state
On a recent morning, a man fired two rounds into the air at Museum Park in downtown Miami. No one was injured. That is the only fortunate fact.
Florida now allows any adult over 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, without training, without proof of competence. The law calls this freedom. At Museum Park, it looked like risk made legal.
When regulation begins only after the first shot, it is already too late. Expanding the right to carry while erasing safeguards is not liberty; it is the state abandoning its duty to protect.
Data from the CDC and Gun Violence Archive show that states with looser carry laws suffer more shootings — accidental and intentional. The pattern is measurable, predictable and preventable.
The public deserves a debate on this issue, starting with a basic question: should handguns be in parks at all?
If the answer is no, the remedy is not “better permits,” but a rethinking of the right to carry in crowded public spaces. Neglect sounds like a gunshot.
Jean Narcisx,
Miami
Best step forward
The shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk ought to be a catalyst for toning down the political rhetoric of the left and the right.
All Americans should seek justice, not vengeance. All Americans should strive for freedom of speech and thought, not force or violence. That must begin with our political leaders.
R. Thomas Farrar,
Miami
Pain management
For years, I tried to figure out how to function with chronic pain. Painkillers left me foggy and miserable. Seven-OH (7-OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine), which is made from the kratom plant and is used by many people to help with chronic pain, lets me feel like myself again.
In August, though, Florida called 7-OH products a public health “emergency” and pulled them from the shelves. There’s no evidence to justify this ban and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier hasn’t offered any. To date, the FDA has not attributed any deaths to 7-OH alone. Meanwhile, far more dangerous products, like “Feel Free,” are totally unregulated and readily available at gas stations. This doesn’t make sense.
The state took away the one option for pain and anxiety that actually works for me and thousands of others across Florida. Why?
If it really is about safety, then the attorney general should show us how 7-OH is dangerous. Pushing a ban without evidence of harm is not keeping anyone safe. All it’s doing is taking away my chance to live normally. I ask the attorney general to please reverse this order.
Jeanie Cartermurch,
St. Cloud
Saddest state
More than 50 years ago, my husband and I moved to Miami from Maryland with our young children. Although it was a big change, we soon established life-long friendships and welcomed the growth of a vibrant, multicultural city and the flourishing of the arts. We also appreciated the mild winters.
Our children played safely outside and there were good schools for them. My husband’s business thrived and I had a satisfying career teaching at Ransom Everglades. We also contributed to the community as volunteers at Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Bereavement Center.
The Miami Herald’s Sept. 11 headlines and articles, however, made me question whether I would move here again with a young family.
Yet another assassination by a gun, but Florida is considering allowing open carry. Miami once welcomed immigrants, but Alligator Alcatraz incarcerates immigrants without due process. The number of measles and other infectious diseases are on the rise, but our state has lifted vaccine mandates in schools. This is the sad state of Florida today.
Jane L. Dolkart,
Pinecrest