Even before the most basic details of the shooting at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally yesterday had emerged, the ceaseless, grating background noise of American political life had cranked itself up once again.
You might imagine that a possible assassination of a leading presidential candidate would be a scared-straight moment for a nation that has been sleepwalking into a culture of political contempt, delegitimization and tribalism. But before anything, it was right back to reflexive criticism of the media, vitriol for the other side and conspiracy theories.
The shock: Someone was apparently able to take multiple shots at a former president of the United States, protected by a phalanx of Secret Service and surrounded by a throng of citizens.
The non-shock: Yet another person in the United States was apparently willing to engage in potentially lethal violence in the arena of politics, the latest in a sorry trail that has menaced elected officials, judges, civilians, the Capitol and now a leading presidential candidate.
Democratic politicians: condemn political violence of any kind
Republican politicians: immediately blame media and democratic party, howls for violent revenge, etc.
Some rando on social media: the shooting was a false flag!
Politico: All of America is responsible for this
They’re not wrong tho. That’s the whole point.
I’m sorry, I must not have communicated my thought well. I understand this article’s point perfectly well and I am rejecting that point because it’s fucking offensively wrong and stupid. This is 100% the fault of Republicans and their supporters, full stop, and unless they’re prepared to acknowledge that simple reality I don’t see any point in discussing this incident any further.
It’s been pretty hot this summer hasn’t it? Let’s talk about what we can do to keep climate change under control.
Fair enough.
I hope you have a good day.