Pleased to see so many comments from America, which I find myself almost entirely in agreement with.
Political violence didn’t start with Kirk’s death. America has a long history of such violence. If you just start with the last century, many of the presidents were subject to assassination attempts, a couple of which were successful, and people particularly blacks were subjected to political violence such as lynching.
One of the worst periods was around the Kennedy period, but I think few would argue that there has not been an uptick of political violence over the past decade. January 6th was an example few who witnessed will ever forget which was encouraged by the President. Both Democrat and republicans have been affected and subjected to extreme violence - it is not just one sided.
In 2023 Reuters identified more than 200 violent political acts in just two years.
Today American society is polarised by distrust, anger and most of all conspiracy theories, frequently encouraged by the political leaders themselves.
Unquestionably, violent or hate filled or divisive language is encouraging violent acts, particularly by those whose mental health is unstable.
Put that together with the ability to obtain a fire arm without control, and you have a recipe for real violence.