Editorial: Political violence violates the very construct of our country
This is *** ĢĒŠÄvlog editorial. This past weekend we were all shocked to wake up to the news of the politically motivated killings in Minnesota. *** man masquerading as *** police officer targeted and killed *** state representative and her husband. He tried unsuccessfully to kill more, including *** state senator and his wife. They miraculously lived despite being shot more than 8 times each. We're grateful to law enforcement officers who brought *** swift end to the manhunt. And what makes this so chilling is that the gunman was found with lists of other potential assassination targets, including some Iowa politicians. Violence like this is horrendous. It turns our stomach, and political violence is particularly heinous. Yes, it's murder, but it also violates the very construct of our country, *** country built on freedoms, including the very freedom to debate and disagree. When our debates turn to violence, it causes *** cascade of serious problems, and the immediate finger pointing and character assassination following these brutal killings inflamed an already horrible situation. Look, social media isn't to blame for all this, but if we want *** better world, our political discourse needs to improve dramatically, especially on social media where it's easy for offenders to hide behind *** keyboard. And our elected leaders must be held to *** higher standard, and let's face it, we all need to look in the mirror. The days of taking the high road are *** distant memory. Too often bad behavior is rationalized by claiming others are worse. We need to reinstate dignity and honor into our discourse. We need to learn again what it means to love our neighbors, those we agree with and those we don't, and we need to call out every injustice at every turn, not just when it benefits us. There is no place for political violence. That shouldn't need to be said. Sadly today it does. It's time to aim higher and do better. ĢĒŠÄvlog welcomes responsible replies to this editorial.
Editorial: Political violence violates the very construct of our country
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Updated: 5:25 PM CDT Jun 20, 2025
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This past weekend, we were all shocked to wake up to the news of the politically motivated killings in Minnesota. A man masquerading as a police officer targeted and killed a state representative and her husband. He tried unsuccessfully to kill more including a state senator and his wife. They miraculously lived, despite being shot more than 8 times each. Weāre grateful to law enforcement officers who brought a swift end to the manhunt. What makes this so chilling is that the gunman was found with lists of other potential assassination targets including some Iowa politicians.Violence like this is horrendous. It turns our stomach. And political violence is particularly heinous. Yes, itās murder, but it also violates the very construct of our country. A country built on freedoms including the very freedom to debate and disagree. When our debates turn to violence, it causes a cascade of serious problems. And the immediate finger pointing and character assassination following these brutal killings inflamed an already horrible situation. Look, social media isnāt to blame for all of this, but if we want a better world, our political discourse needs to improve dramatically. Especially on social media where itās easy for offenders to hide behind a keyboard. And our elected leaders must be held to a higher standard. And letās face it, we all need to look in the mirror. The days of ātaking the high roadā are a distant memory. Too often, bad behavior is rationalized by claiming others are worse. We need to reinstate dignity and honor into our discourse.We need to learn again what it means to love our neighbors ā those we agree with and those we donāt. And we need to call out injustice at every turn ā not just when it benefits us. There is no place for political violence. That shouldnāt need to be said. Sadly, today, it does. Itās time to aim higher and do better.
This past weekend, we were all shocked to wake up to the news of the politically motivated killings in Minnesota. A man masquerading as a police officer targeted and killed a state representative and her husband. He tried unsuccessfully to kill more including a state senator and his wife. They miraculously lived, despite being shot more than 8 times each. Weāre grateful to law enforcement officers who brought a swift end to the manhunt. What makes this so chilling is that the gunman was found with .
Violence like this is horrendous. It turns our stomach. And political violence is particularly heinous. Yes, itās murder, but it also violates the very construct of our country. A country built on freedoms including the very freedom to debate and disagree. When our debates turn to violence, it causes a cascade of serious problems. And the immediate finger pointing and character assassination following these brutal killings inflamed an already horrible situation. Look, social media isnāt to blame for all of this, but if we want a better world, our political discourse needs to improve dramatically. Especially on social media where itās easy for offenders to hide behind a keyboard. And our elected leaders must be held to a higher standard. And letās face it, we all need to look in the mirror. The days of ātaking the high roadā are a distant memory. Too often, bad behavior is rationalized by claiming others are worse. We need to reinstate dignity and honor into our discourse.
We need to learn again what it means to love our neighbors ā those we agree with and those we donāt. And we need to call out injustice at every turn ā not just when it benefits us. There is no place for political violence. That shouldnāt need to be said. Sadly, today, it does. Itās time to aim higher and do better.
