The story about Wadea brought me literally to tears. What a loss for the world his death is. Just because someone is Muslim or of Palestinian heritage, doesn't make them the enemy.
😔 And in front of his mother! I don’t know how I would ever move forward. The life of this brainwashed man is now effectively over. He will never know peace and he will be abhorred.
This is a reflection of right wing incitement combined with a gullible and ignorant mind. Can’t imagine being a member of his family either.
The voters need to punish the defendant and his MAGA cult in 2024, let us hope they do so. Only then will there be any of the change that is so badly needed.
Plain and simply, right wing propaganda is deadly. We do nothing about it by pretending free speech is at issue. It is not. This is incitement of deadly violence. Republican terrorists have been privileged in such a way to send our anger into the stratosphere.
The uncle of this 6 year old asked how much can someone manufacture hate to stab a 6 year old 27 times? This is beyond despicable and right wing media is DIRECTLY responsible!
Dean, I only discovered your Substack newsletter about six or seven weeks ago, but this has to be one of your best essays about this plague that Trump has unleashed on us. The problem with people who are in the Trump trance is that they can’t seem to hold two thoughts in their heads at the same time. They don’t seem to understand that violent terrorism on the part of a group does not implicate the entire group, nationality, religion, etc. Thanks also for pointing out that there are many Palestinian Christians. Because people love to hate Muslims, especially since 9-11, they fail to have the facts straight and understand that Christians and Muslims have been living beside each other in the Palestinian homeland for centuries. The picture of that beautiful boy in his birthday hat hit me like a gut punch. My eyes are swollen from all the tears that I have shed over the past few days.
Trump and his supporters like to be haters, fear-mongers and violent. They do not know how to change their beliefs, only how to double down on them until they become monsters like Czuba.
I am hoping that the monstrous beliefs and behaviors of some, will wake up the majority of that sick and sickening minority.
My heart aches for that boy’s mother and the wife of the killer. I am reminded of the documentary, “The Brainwashing of My Dad,” an account of a slowly unfolding Rush Limbaugh/ rightwing media takeover of a white man’s brain. He was a kind and fatherly Democrat who after many years of talk radio and Fox News became someone the family no longer recognized. I have seen this with my brother in law as well. It is really scary. I’m also concerned for our young sons, many who are gaming and being taken in by conspiracies, white victimhood supremacy, slowly but surely. It’s all been happening under our noses. We have to be ever vigilant that our loved ones do not succumb to the hate and disinformation. I’m just so sad about it all. It really feels insurmountable at times. Sending love to all of America and our world. I don’t know what else to do. I am politically involved and I do still feel our democracy will prevail, but we have a mountain to climb in getting to peace and justice. Much love to all. 💙
Barbara, me too. It was just such a clear illustration of how all of this sh*t has been able to seep into our society and erode common decency. I’m just sickened by it. Also, I’m witnessing a friend’s son being taken in by a “Christian” (I use the term loosely) church. Now he is spouting self-righteous bible quotes but feels like he has found his family. Ugh. It’s gross. He was/is vulnerable and is now being manipulated. I’m really concerned and I told my friend so.
What upsets me the most about all of this, is we are losing family members and friends all due to disinformation and lies. When did lying become ok? I do hope your friend’s son is able to discern what is truth and what are lies.
Thank you. I hope so too. My friend has called him out on it, but we shall see. I heard my own son say, “Nobody wants to work anymore,” and I just blasted him via text. He is hearing this from his current surroundings, I’m quite sure of it, young white men lamenting their victimhood. He does not even see the extreme privileges he has had and has. It truly unnerves me!
Such a precious child! What an amazing father he has—heard him speak about non violence and non vengeance. May the mother recover well from the stabbing wounds. Heart breaking and also heart strengthening!
The hatred erupted like a volcano the moment a black man was elected President of the United States and Trump stepped out in front to lead the hate. Remember the Tea Party disrupting former polite town hall meetings? We-want-you-to-fail-Limbaugh? These sick people are Americans. Our neighbors, sometimes family members, former friends and colleagues. Without them none of this horror would be possible.
Trumps only "hope" is to put together his ragtag army of Pick up driving, MAGAt flag waving morons and "take over" on his own. He KNOWS it's his only shot, and he couldn't care less who gets slaughtered in its wake.
He LOVES when anyone "stands by him" and "supports" him while innocent people are hurt.
He is the embodiment of every Dictator we've ever seen and this Country is so terrifyingly undereducated and ignorant they would vote for it over and over and over again.
We need Critical Thinking and Morals and Ethics taught in school from Daycare to High School Graduation. We also need Psychiatrists, Sociologists. and every other form of Mental Health Professional IN SCHOOLS teaching proper handling of conflict and acceptable behavior.
Right now we have kids in homes with parents talking about "Drag Queen" story hour but not GUN Violence.
For a civil society, it all needs to be taught and understood.
In what demented mind does a 7 year old get killed for a "belief". It's the definition of crazy and I'll bet you will hear from dozens of people who won't be surprised by this idiots murdering rampage.
It was frustrating how MSM dropped killer’s MAGA trump signs & extreme right wing broadcasts from description until quoting wife days after. Even quoting the cops would reveal again what hate trump has sown in our country.
The story about Wadea brought me literally to tears. What a loss for the world his death is. Just because someone is Muslim or of Palestinian heritage, doesn't make them the enemy.
Sadly it does to some in GOP and many on right wing media.
My heart breaks over the thought that the boy's final moments on Earth were being stabbed by this "grandfatherly type of figure for the 6-year-old."
😔 And in front of his mother! I don’t know how I would ever move forward. The life of this brainwashed man is now effectively over. He will never know peace and he will be abhorred.
This is a reflection of right wing incitement combined with a gullible and ignorant mind. Can’t imagine being a member of his family either.
Same. I just bawled my eyeballs out reading Dean’s piece today.
Can this be America? I don’t recognize it anymore.
Nor do I, Jack. Just seeing this beautiful child at his birthday party was like a gut punch.
The voters need to punish the defendant and his MAGA cult in 2024, let us hope they do so. Only then will there be any of the change that is so badly needed.
Plain and simply, right wing propaganda is deadly. We do nothing about it by pretending free speech is at issue. It is not. This is incitement of deadly violence. Republican terrorists have been privileged in such a way to send our anger into the stratosphere.
The uncle of this 6 year old asked how much can someone manufacture hate to stab a 6 year old 27 times? This is beyond despicable and right wing media is DIRECTLY responsible!
I agree - it's heartbreaking!
Dean, I only discovered your Substack newsletter about six or seven weeks ago, but this has to be one of your best essays about this plague that Trump has unleashed on us. The problem with people who are in the Trump trance is that they can’t seem to hold two thoughts in their heads at the same time. They don’t seem to understand that violent terrorism on the part of a group does not implicate the entire group, nationality, religion, etc. Thanks also for pointing out that there are many Palestinian Christians. Because people love to hate Muslims, especially since 9-11, they fail to have the facts straight and understand that Christians and Muslims have been living beside each other in the Palestinian homeland for centuries. The picture of that beautiful boy in his birthday hat hit me like a gut punch. My eyes are swollen from all the tears that I have shed over the past few days.
Thanks Janet - I appreciate that. It's been a heartbreaking time for all with humanity.
Trump and his supporters like to be haters, fear-mongers and violent. They do not know how to change their beliefs, only how to double down on them until they become monsters like Czuba.
I am hoping that the monstrous beliefs and behaviors of some, will wake up the majority of that sick and sickening minority.
My heart aches for that boy’s mother and the wife of the killer. I am reminded of the documentary, “The Brainwashing of My Dad,” an account of a slowly unfolding Rush Limbaugh/ rightwing media takeover of a white man’s brain. He was a kind and fatherly Democrat who after many years of talk radio and Fox News became someone the family no longer recognized. I have seen this with my brother in law as well. It is really scary. I’m also concerned for our young sons, many who are gaming and being taken in by conspiracies, white victimhood supremacy, slowly but surely. It’s all been happening under our noses. We have to be ever vigilant that our loved ones do not succumb to the hate and disinformation. I’m just so sad about it all. It really feels insurmountable at times. Sending love to all of America and our world. I don’t know what else to do. I am politically involved and I do still feel our democracy will prevail, but we have a mountain to climb in getting to peace and justice. Much love to all. 💙
I saw that documentary as well and believe it should be shown everywhere
Barbara, me too. It was just such a clear illustration of how all of this sh*t has been able to seep into our society and erode common decency. I’m just sickened by it. Also, I’m witnessing a friend’s son being taken in by a “Christian” (I use the term loosely) church. Now he is spouting self-righteous bible quotes but feels like he has found his family. Ugh. It’s gross. He was/is vulnerable and is now being manipulated. I’m really concerned and I told my friend so.
What upsets me the most about all of this, is we are losing family members and friends all due to disinformation and lies. When did lying become ok? I do hope your friend’s son is able to discern what is truth and what are lies.
Thank you. I hope so too. My friend has called him out on it, but we shall see. I heard my own son say, “Nobody wants to work anymore,” and I just blasted him via text. He is hearing this from his current surroundings, I’m quite sure of it, young white men lamenting their victimhood. He does not even see the extreme privileges he has had and has. It truly unnerves me!
This utterly a disgusting action. A good innocent family has suffered for this heinous crime. Created by media hate .
Such a precious child! What an amazing father he has—heard him speak about non violence and non vengeance. May the mother recover well from the stabbing wounds. Heart breaking and also heart strengthening!
The hatred erupted like a volcano the moment a black man was elected President of the United States and Trump stepped out in front to lead the hate. Remember the Tea Party disrupting former polite town hall meetings? We-want-you-to-fail-Limbaugh? These sick people are Americans. Our neighbors, sometimes family members, former friends and colleagues. Without them none of this horror would be possible.
Seems like 1923 Germany/nazi Everything they do is nazi Germany.
You'd think Fox News would'a learned something after shelling out $780M, but no.
They are beyond remorse, redemption, etc. They are just a lost cause.
So tired of rump doing his damnedest to destroy our democracy!
Press your cable company to drop these right-wing channels from service 'packages'. It's garbage people shouldn't have to pay for.
Trumps only "hope" is to put together his ragtag army of Pick up driving, MAGAt flag waving morons and "take over" on his own. He KNOWS it's his only shot, and he couldn't care less who gets slaughtered in its wake.
He LOVES when anyone "stands by him" and "supports" him while innocent people are hurt.
He is the embodiment of every Dictator we've ever seen and this Country is so terrifyingly undereducated and ignorant they would vote for it over and over and over again.
We need Critical Thinking and Morals and Ethics taught in school from Daycare to High School Graduation. We also need Psychiatrists, Sociologists. and every other form of Mental Health Professional IN SCHOOLS teaching proper handling of conflict and acceptable behavior.
Right now we have kids in homes with parents talking about "Drag Queen" story hour but not GUN Violence.
For a civil society, it all needs to be taught and understood.
In what demented mind does a 7 year old get killed for a "belief". It's the definition of crazy and I'll bet you will hear from dozens of people who won't be surprised by this idiots murdering rampage.
It was frustrating how MSM dropped killer’s MAGA trump signs & extreme right wing broadcasts from description until quoting wife days after. Even quoting the cops would reveal again what hate trump has sown in our country.
Americans are stupid and know nothing about other nations. That's why it is so easy for them to be brainwashed by the trumpian lies.