Trump ushered this era of violence in. He will need to tell his followers to stand down. Still remembering how he made fun of Paul Pelosi when he was bludgeoned. We need a better role model and only then will we be a civil society.
Trump uses violent rhetoric and the national guard to create an atmosphere and terror in the American people. He wants to provoke violence. It is a main component in the authoritarian handbook.
The more violence he can provoke, the more trips he can deploy in American cities, until we are eventually living in a police state.
He will use this as an excuse for even more unlawful actions against American people who don't comply with his takeover.
I am at a loss. When or how will it end? I devoted my entire career as a theatre teacher for 40 years towards teaching compassion and empathy, but today we have an empathy killer in the White House.
Thank you Olivia for this beautifully articulated response to all that we have experienced and continue to experience. Your thoughtful and kind manner is a balm that we need when the rhetoric is so hurtful and divisive. May you stay safe and well because you are a light for us in these dark times. ❤️
Just because I didn’t agree with Charlie Kirk’s ideas, I still feel sorry for his wife, kids, family, friends. I watched how Trump only listed Republican victims yesterday which continued to Fuel the Fire with his rhetoric and use to his advantage instead of trying to bring our country together.
I also noticed he didn’t even bring up the students shot in Colorado yesterday either.
Everyone knows Trump was behind the January 6, 2021, Insurrection and tried to overthrow the 2020 election. Unfortunately, he wasn’t impeached, due to Mitch McConnell and others. However, I just saw on CNN that the majority of the Brazilian Supreme Court judges have voted to convict Jair Bolsanaro for trying to overthrow Brazil’s election. Pretty ironic to say the least.
Why are quality journalists and opinion writers no longer at news sites like The Washington Post? Because they stopped shining a light into dark places. They may report on the visible actions of this administration, but we the people know that behind the noise it is so much worse. But even if they aren't aligned with Trump, it is not in their interests any longer to anger him.
With mergers the MSM is becoming one giant propaganda machine for Trump and Project 2025. There are three corporations that own a vast number of media outlets. The free there are the easier it is for the government to control them through threats. Monopolies are poison to democracy.
It is the same with insurance. It is the same with candy companies!
If you look into who owns your favorite candy company, to find it is owned by a corporation who owns a lot of the candy companies, as well as bakery companies, did did companies, and the company that makes your kitchen sink. (You get the idea.)
When you once paid good prices thinking it was because you were supporting a small business, you find out the Harry and David sold out for millions of dollars.
All of those megacorporations have an interest in seeing Trump fulfill his autocratic dreams
That is why we are here speaking out on Substack, wondering why the MSM does not shine the light on the dark places anymore.
Ordinary Americans feel like a bunch of Lilliputians trying to tie a giant down that won't go to sleep long enough for us to breath.
I just don't see this getting any better unless things can turn around this next election. A majority of Americans feel left out in the cold by their own government without even a whiff meaningful representation, because it not only takes one vote to keep Democrats from having any effect in Washington.
That is not how the founding fathers set things up, but their vision has been overwhelmed by greed for money and power.
Thank you Olivia for your steadfast approach to a peaceful nation. Yes empathy is slipping away. Charlie Kirk spewed out a lot of vitriol rhetoric just like his leader but that does not excuse the despicable act of murder . Ever since Mr. Trump came down the escalator calling the Mexicans rapists, drug dealers and criminals. He was going to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it. It seems violence increased. His rhetoric foments violence. To bring peace and civility into the mix just isn't in this man. He can't seem to speak at rallies without repeatedly disparaging someone. Mr. Trumps MO is just plain violence, threats, intimidation and revenge. He spends more time with his personal grievances than he does serving the American citizens. His acrimony breeds nothing but violence. The agitation and violence of the nation lays squarely on Mr. Trumps shoulders.
Violence is never the solution, and exploiting it for MAGA is yet another crime. We have a ruler who will do anything to get the news away from Epstein and a bad economy. The killer could have been from any camp, since many in MAGA feel betrayed now by their leaders over the Epstein issue. Otherwise good folks are living in fear for their kids. Heaven help the trans community if the killer is even suggested to be trans. This will be rocky.
I wholeheartedly agree about the loss of empathy but I'd like to mention that Kirk himself said "I can't stand the word empathy actually. I think empathy is a made up, new age term that - it does a lot of damage."
What a heartfelt post. I wish major news outlets could print this in its entirety on their opinion page
The country needs your voice and expertise. Thank you.
Well written.
Trump ushered this era of violence in. He will need to tell his followers to stand down. Still remembering how he made fun of Paul Pelosi when he was bludgeoned. We need a better role model and only then will we be a civil society.
Trump uses violent rhetoric and the national guard to create an atmosphere and terror in the American people. He wants to provoke violence. It is a main component in the authoritarian handbook.
The more violence he can provoke, the more trips he can deploy in American cities, until we are eventually living in a police state.
He will use this as an excuse for even more unlawful actions against American people who don't comply with his takeover.
And make excuses for no elections.
And instead this morning he created a martyr!
You mean the way Trump told the Prowd Boyz to "Stand back & stand by" ...? (Oops! Nope. NOT like that.)
I fear we are about to witness inflaming rhetoric alongside unprecedented violence. What a sad model for young people!
As attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “I don’t like that man, I will have to get to know him better.”
Thank you for your piece—just what we need to be our better selves and country.
Such a beautiful way to frame how feeling empathy and compassion towards others is the only path to preserve our humanity
I am at a loss. When or how will it end? I devoted my entire career as a theatre teacher for 40 years towards teaching compassion and empathy, but today we have an empathy killer in the White House.
Thank you Olivia for this beautifully articulated response to all that we have experienced and continue to experience. Your thoughtful and kind manner is a balm that we need when the rhetoric is so hurtful and divisive. May you stay safe and well because you are a light for us in these dark times. ❤️
With Trump as president, this is just the beginning. His attacks on the left will get even worse. He is tearing this country in half.
Thank you, Olivia, for your post.
Just because I didn’t agree with Charlie Kirk’s ideas, I still feel sorry for his wife, kids, family, friends. I watched how Trump only listed Republican victims yesterday which continued to Fuel the Fire with his rhetoric and use to his advantage instead of trying to bring our country together.
I also noticed he didn’t even bring up the students shot in Colorado yesterday either.
Everyone knows Trump was behind the January 6, 2021, Insurrection and tried to overthrow the 2020 election. Unfortunately, he wasn’t impeached, due to Mitch McConnell and others. However, I just saw on CNN that the majority of the Brazilian Supreme Court judges have voted to convict Jair Bolsanaro for trying to overthrow Brazil’s election. Pretty ironic to say the least.
I’m with you, Olivia. I feel the same way. Thank you for this piece. Keep the good stuff coming.
Why are quality journalists and opinion writers no longer at news sites like The Washington Post? Because they stopped shining a light into dark places. They may report on the visible actions of this administration, but we the people know that behind the noise it is so much worse. But even if they aren't aligned with Trump, it is not in their interests any longer to anger him.
With mergers the MSM is becoming one giant propaganda machine for Trump and Project 2025. There are three corporations that own a vast number of media outlets. The free there are the easier it is for the government to control them through threats. Monopolies are poison to democracy.
It is the same with insurance. It is the same with candy companies!
If you look into who owns your favorite candy company, to find it is owned by a corporation who owns a lot of the candy companies, as well as bakery companies, did did companies, and the company that makes your kitchen sink. (You get the idea.)
When you once paid good prices thinking it was because you were supporting a small business, you find out the Harry and David sold out for millions of dollars.
All of those megacorporations have an interest in seeing Trump fulfill his autocratic dreams
That is why we are here speaking out on Substack, wondering why the MSM does not shine the light on the dark places anymore.
Ordinary Americans feel like a bunch of Lilliputians trying to tie a giant down that won't go to sleep long enough for us to breath.
I just don't see this getting any better unless things can turn around this next election. A majority of Americans feel left out in the cold by their own government without even a whiff meaningful representation, because it not only takes one vote to keep Democrats from having any effect in Washington.
That is not how the founding fathers set things up, but their vision has been overwhelmed by greed for money and power.
Thank you Olivia for your steadfast approach to a peaceful nation. Yes empathy is slipping away. Charlie Kirk spewed out a lot of vitriol rhetoric just like his leader but that does not excuse the despicable act of murder . Ever since Mr. Trump came down the escalator calling the Mexicans rapists, drug dealers and criminals. He was going to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it. It seems violence increased. His rhetoric foments violence. To bring peace and civility into the mix just isn't in this man. He can't seem to speak at rallies without repeatedly disparaging someone. Mr. Trumps MO is just plain violence, threats, intimidation and revenge. He spends more time with his personal grievances than he does serving the American citizens. His acrimony breeds nothing but violence. The agitation and violence of the nation lays squarely on Mr. Trumps shoulders.
Best piece on this I’ve seen. Thank you.
Violence is never the solution, and exploiting it for MAGA is yet another crime. We have a ruler who will do anything to get the news away from Epstein and a bad economy. The killer could have been from any camp, since many in MAGA feel betrayed now by their leaders over the Epstein issue. Otherwise good folks are living in fear for their kids. Heaven help the trans community if the killer is even suggested to be trans. This will be rocky.
Between 300,000-500,000 Iraqis died after September 11. While empathy is important, let's not kid ourselves that we don't promote violence.
I wholeheartedly agree about the loss of empathy but I'd like to mention that Kirk himself said "I can't stand the word empathy actually. I think empathy is a made up, new age term that - it does a lot of damage."