In this Substack Live, I address the assassination of Charlie Kirk and why political violence—no matter the target—is a direct attack on democracy. I argue for moral clarity, not tribal celebration, and warn that cheering violence only hands fascists the justification they seek.
From there, I explore the collapse of democratic culture, the urgent need for a broad coalition to defend the rule of law, and the dangers of both right-wing authoritarianism and left-wing detachment. I discuss the crisis of young men being radicalized into the far right, the failures of cancel culture to persuade, and why local organizing is the frontline for preserving free and fair elections.
I also make the case that courage is contagious, persuasion is essential, and defending democracy means putting principle before preference.
