Bad Time Charlie

Two years ago, back on April 11, 2023, I wrote an article here about Charlie Kirk that began --

​I think it’s been clear to many people, if not most who know of Charlie Kirk that he’s just a whiney kid who early on got a big microphone and used it to spread his ignorant, fascist opinions based pretty much on not knowing better. Charlie Kirk, if you’re unaware of him, is an extreme-right activist who founded the group Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was 19 (not old enough to drink without having an adult with him in any state) and now has a radio talk show.  While he’s no longer the wet-behind-the-ears innocent he was back then, and at 29 should know better, when you really were almost totally empty to start with – even though there’s plenty of room to learn and grow – it’s sometimes very difficult to build a foundation on absolutely nothing. That said, if you had any doubt about who Charlie Kirk is, let his broadcast yesterday make it clear.

​I repeat the opening, since it’s important to always been reminded who Charlie Kirk is, because as prominent a figure as he in the today’s MAGOP, he still flies under the wire more than most of the better-known names.  And further, he keeps making clear who he is.

Like yesterday, on his podcast, after the violent anti-Semitic attack with a homemade flamethrower against eight Jewish Americans in Colorado.  Did Kirk express his outrage at the attack?  Only those who don’t know Charlie Kirk would ask such a ludicrous question.  Of course not, he’s Charlie Kirk.  He doubled down.

Being Charlie Kirk, as this article notes, he told Jews that they “should have a firearm on you at all times” and “walk around armed,” in fact Jews “should never leave your house unarmed” unless they have a death wish.”  And he spoke further about how "My tolerance with the American Jews” is now at the level of “nothing,” adding for good measure, in case you missed his impossible-to-miss point, that "my patience has completely run out” with American Jews.  And predicts that because of his words, he will be called an anti-Semite.

Charlie Kirk has the tense wrong. He has long been called an anti-Semite.  And it’s not that he’s long been “called” an anti-Semite.  It’s that he’s long been an anti-Semite.

But of course, it’s more than anti-Semitic, which is impressive by Charlie Kirk standards.  This was a dog-whistle for violence to his listeners.  No doubt he’ll cowardly insist, oh, no, that wasn’t the case at all, he was just offering friendly protective advice – to people for whom he says he has absolutely no “tolerance”.

I dearly hope there is no further violence against Jews, though I know that that hope flies in the face of world history.  But if there is, I further hope that it’s investigated whether the perpetrators listen to Charlie Kirk who inspired them.  Though my additional hope is that any Kirk follower who might thinking about taking violent action as a result of his hate-filled words might stop and completely change course, remembering that Kirk’s words also suggested that all American Jews be armed.  (All American Jews won’t be armed, of course, but anyone empty enough to listen to Charlie Kirk will believe almost anything he says, no matter how insanely stupid, which covers most of what he says.)

It's also worth noting that I’m quite certain American Jews don’t spend time concerning themselves who Charlie Kirk “tolerates."  Or “has patience” with.  Not just because he’s a little putz (Charlie can look it up), but because pondering who Charlie Kirk doesn’t tolerate is a monumentally long list and would waste too much time.  The short version is that it’s everyone who disagrees with him, and all minorities, even if they do agree with him.

But to be clear, this is not about Charlie Kirk since he has long-been anti-Semitic – and a whiney kid who spreads his ignorant, fascist opinions. This is about the MAGOPs who enable and support Kirk, and who will be silent about this virulently anti-Semitic statement and foghorn of violence.  And most especially Trump and those in his administration who try desperately to claim they’re attacking Harvard to defend against anti-Semitism.

Well, if and when they do decide to actually defend against anti-Semitism, then speak up.  And start with Charlie Kirk.