Key Opinion
D. Rutledge
Guest Columnist
news@lbknews.com
In the shadow of recent tragedy, as the nation grapples with the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a profound question hangs in the air: What is to be done about the current situation we all find ourselves in?
The airwaves and social feeds are thick with outrage. The immediate market reaction spoke volumes. Shares of gun manufacturers spiked dramatically in the wake of the shooting, a grim barometer of the fear and uncertainty rippling through the country. It’s a stark reminder that while we yearn for higher ground, the tools at hand often feel more like those of war: lawfare, confrontation, and the looming specter of negative outcomes that could fracture society further.
The Elusive Path to Peace
Ideally, we’d turn to the evolved, high-road approach—spiritual, peace-making efforts that bridge divides and heal wounds. Sadly, that feels like a stretch in this polarized moment. Media coverage zeroed in on Robinson’s ideology, his relationships (including his transgender partner and roommate cooperating with investigators), and the shifts in his views on gay and trans rights prior to the event. The absence of unifying voices from within the community leaves a void, amplifying the divide rather than mending it. The discourse migrated to a broader national tension between protecting open debate and addressing the limits of expression in a politically charged climate. Now, a heated debate over free speech has emerged across the United States. The killing sparked polarized reactions, with some individuals facing job losses or investigations for social media posts deemed insensitive or celebratory of Kirk’s death.
Amid this turmoil, there’s a flicker of cautious optimism. The bad actors—those shadowy influences like the Soros-backed networks and Neville Roy Singham, a Chinese Communist Party affiliated billionaire accused of channeling millions into radical groups like The People’s Forum and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) are beginning to be spotlighted. These organizations have been directly implicated in putting on protests and riots, including the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles that saw chaos, fires, assaults and attacks on ICE agents. PSL, a self-avowed Marxist group, has no formal nonprofit status yet coordinates nationwide chaos, from campus occupations to street violence, often under the guise of “social justice.” There is also evidence suggesting that Chinese state-linked actors have engaged in influence operations on social media platforms, including efforts that could impact left-leaning audiences in the United States, though the focus is often broader than targeting a single political ideology. Research from Graphika, published in September 2024, identified a Chinese state-linked operation known as “Spamouflage,” active since 2017, which has intensified efforts to push divisive narratives. This operation uses fake accounts across platforms like X and TikTok to impersonate U.S. citizens, denigrate politicians from both major parties, and amplify polarizing issues like racial inequality and gun control, without consistently favoring one political side.
Their role in funding discord, pulling levers behind the scenes, and even fomenting unrest through platforms like Discord cannot be ignored. For years, whispers of a “low-grade civil war” have circulated among observers of American politics. Charlie Kirk’s death has escalated those whispers to a roar, marking a true turning point where the stakes feel existential.
A Strategic Path Forward: Trump’s DOJ Approach
In this landscape, the course charted by the Department of Justice may offer a pragmatic next step. By rigorously investigating the money sources—tracing who supplies the funding, who orchestrates the chaos—there’s a chance to dismantle the machinery of division at its roots.
As we stand at this precipice, the call is clear: More voices from all sides must rise—not in recrimination, but in rejection of violence and a commitment to reconciliation. The spiritual path may seem distant, but it’s not unattainable. Until then, let’s support the tactical efforts to uncover the truth and protect the fragile fabric of our democracy. The alternative is too dire to contemplate.
God bless Charlie Kirk’s family during this most difficult time.
