The Menace of Malice

The targeting of a major American political figure by lethal violence based upon history and the confluence of modern events was a proposition of not if but when. Until recently close inspection of historical political assassinations were usually limited to the realm of historians, researchers, and small parts of the public. However, after a recent failed attack sought to eliminate Donald Trump huge swaths of the public, media, and political figures have begun to learn the use of understanding such events. The rising tide of violence dates back over decades with unforeseen environmental challenges, some media figures, and special interest groups contributing to increasing public illegality. If history and increasing modern rates of violence serve as our guide, I fear this is not the end but the start of another pattern of political malice in the United States. Until serious public introspection occurs and the basic humanity of political opponents is respected those most inclined will potentially use criminal violence.

Some in both the major political parties of the United States have fanned the flames of public confrontation over wedge issues and corrupt agendas for decades. They have indoctrinated some with identity based politics to the extent that any opposing group by default is a part of the greater existential problems they believe exist. Media corporation branding has followed suit and identifying with media corporations led many to only consume media they politically support. This automatically removes half of the possible information they might use to come to a reasonable idea. By disbelieving and decrying the mere utterances of details contrary to their “news” of choice, the political isolation grows deeper. Social media echo chambers from across the political spectrum filled with misinformation or worse began to overtake any concerted attempt to dispel them by a dwindling group of unbiased people.

The resulting incidence of public violence spiked with mass shootings often targeting event venues and schools. The later introduction of shooting safety drills and lock downs were an unspoken acknowledgment these would not be isolated events. Amid the year two thousand America endured three reported mass public shooting events and by two thousand and nineteen the number rose to sixty-one.i An increase of ninety-five percent in mass public shooting incidents and this was just the precursor to worsening circumstances. Those highest rates of public violence would soon be overtaken due to the added pressure exerted upon the mental state of humanity via the pandemic. According to the United States Center for Disease Control the murder rate in America rose by thirty percent during two thousand and twenty an increase of nearly five thousand more victims than a year prior.ii Much like a creature in a slowly boiling pot, America’s citizens have experienced decades of rising violence and the current unbelievable rates seemingly are overlooked as the usual state of affairs.iii The temperature is steadily rising and most remain unaware that possible impending disasters approach.

Recent years of prior civil unrest, decades of political demonization, increasing technological obsession, and the marked decline of factual media reporting in the name of sensationalism have created a nightmarish landscape. Subsequently numerous amounts of people have for years regarded those, even family members, as not merely political rivals but enemies or outcasts to be shunned. Others even outright deny reality and endless theories following any notable event in politics has proved a useful financial and political ruse to manipulate sections of the public.iv v The worst unreliable sources are not limited to any side of politics due to steadily declining information levels presented by former and present officials.vi vii viii Unsurprisingly, this lack of insight and some ignoring the right to dissent have led to some attempting to quash opposing ideas by labeling them existential threats without concern to the eventual costs. What happens if a majority of the public follows suit and echoes this maniacal desire to stifle all but one chosen group’s agenda? Tyranny.

Elementary School teacher Jennifer Ripper is under scrutiny for publicly supporting violence

Some now defend or support public violence for whatever they deem “injustice” and regard such illegality as “normal” or “acceptable”. Yet they never are and never shall be. We are not discussing the mere fringes but educated people such as teachers and professors that rank among the worst examples.ix Of the recent failed assassination attempt elementary teacher Jennifer Ripper publicly lamented that it was unsuccessful and Trump was now a “martyr”. High school teacher Alison Scott offered she “wished they had a better scope” in her public support of recent political violence. College professor Tracy Budd stated online “Let’s hope today’s events inspire others”. Another former educator noted “Teachers and professors are thought to be responsible adults...The type of complete irresponsibility entailed in publicly okaying political violence means they are in the wrong profession."x Most adults know the public limits of free speech do not extend to calls for violence but some educators do not. Abominable public behavior must be checked by sensible people of all kinds and this happening repeatedly supports that many are no longer acting rationally.

High school teacher Alison Scott supported public violence and Now Faces a Loss of Credentials

They are the first to boil and they believe violent or deceptive behavior is brave, when its just vile. Additionally, those calling for it are cowards, and would never risk themselves but it appears seek to motivate others toward self destruction. The backlash has already ended careers, will likely cost educational credentials, and shall lead to further deserved repercussions.xi Yet this required the near death of a presidential candidate to clarify, there is a political sickness amongst us. With each additional negative influence the proverbial temperature of our society increases and mental health issues are further exacerbated. Many now lay in a desert of malice and must depart before any future prospect of a return to largely non-violent politics.

College Professor Tracy Budd is Under review After calling for More violence

Killing others because one disagrees with their political, religious, or ideological beliefs is still murder and those who commit such acts are monstrous in the literal sense. What might we assume is the character and morals of someone that supports attempted murder? Common decency remains in short supply but a civilized society must agree that a basic respect for all humanity must be upheld. Parts of American society have lost their regard for the legal right of another person to wholly disagree with them and still be a decent person. We cannot maintain a country if many people assume nearly half the population is evil and several others support unlawful violence to be legitimate. These damaging practices must cease and should be curbed at every turn if we actually seek to fix them.

Some prior rational people in recent years have become unhinged enough to regret a political assassin’s failure. The target of such an event is inconsequential, no one deserves to be assassinated, and it likely would render catastrophic political fallout. What can awaken them before they are boiled in rage and drown in apathy? The solutions required are likely numerous and shall take years or decades to implement them but just hoping is not a feasible option. Yet to even consider what they might be we must reaffirm that everyone deserves life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Every American is granted reasonable personal freedom by the law and to diminish anyone’s legal rights is to diminish the rights of all.
Sincerely,
C.A.A. Savastano

References:
i. John Gramlich, April 26, 2023, What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S., Pew Research Center, pewresearch.org
ii. Ryan Lucas, September 21, 2021, FBI Data Shows An Unprecedented Spike In Murders Nationwide In 2020, NPR, npr.org
iii. Josiah Bates, July 28, 2022, U.S. Crime Is Still Dramatically Higher Than Before the Pandemic, Time Magazine, time.com
iv. Amarnath Amarasingam and Marc-Andre Argentino, July 2020, The QAnon Conspiracy Theory: A Security Threat in the Making?, West Point Combating Terrorism Center, Volume 13, Issue 7, ctc.westpoint.edu
v. Juliette Gache and Quang Pham, July 27, 2024, How BlueAnon conspiracy theories are gaining momentum since the assassination attempt on Trump, The Observers, France 24, observers.france24.com
vi. Ellen Mitchell, July 26, 2024, FBI Director stirs controversy with Trump bullet skepticism, The Hill, thehill.com
vii. Greg Norman, Trump’s former doctor gives health update calls out Wray as FBI affirms bullet struck former president, Fox News, foxnews.com
vii. Lauren Sforza, July 29, 2024, Obama photographer Pete Souza deletes X account after Trump ear attacks, The Hill, thehill.com
ix. Chris Harris, Rutgers professor under fire for online posts lamenting failed Trump assassination, New York Post, nypost.com
x. Kristina Watrobski, July 17, 2024, Teachers who cheered Trump assassination attempt disciplined by school officials, KFOX 14, kfoxtv.com
xi. Alexia Aston, July 31, 2024, OSBE takes steps toward revoking Ardmore teacher’s license after Trump assassination post, The Oklahoman, oklahoman.com

Related Sections
Motivations for Violent Behavior
Political Assassinations