Commentary
“For the evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination … you have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. The movement built by my husband will not die.” Erika Kirk
As I listened to Erika Kirk speak so eloquently and courageously after her husband’s death with that heartfelt message to people around the world, I wanted to believe her, I really did, but as an observer of the left, her goal seemed so unattainable.
However, there was news of individuals in business and academia who were relieved of their positions because of their negative utterances, the firing of a late-night talk show host, and unbelievably sarcastic remarks on the leftist CNN and MSNBC news panels.
A member of the Secret Service was placed on leave after calling Kirk a racist on his social media account.
In our House of Representatives, members refused to censor Ilan Omar, the ungrateful Somalian member, for her statement, and 58 Democrats in the House voted “no” to honoring Charlie with a simple resolution. Another 38 Democrats meekly voted “present,” and 22 others didn’t vote at all.
AOC, the darling of the left’s socialist movement in the House, had the audacity to say that Kirk’s “beliefs were ignorant, uneducated and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans – far from the ‘working tirelessly to promote unity.”
Over the last several days, I have listened to countless young people interviewed about the influence Charlie has already had on their lives and stories from senior citizens who came to know and appreciate Charlie through a son, daughter or grandchild. No doubt, Kirk has made a difference.
The fact that 37,000 new chapter applications were received in the offices of Turning Point USA after his assassination, and hearing of Kirk’s wish that each of the 27,000 high schools in our country would have a chapter was good a sign that Erika’s belief that her husband’s movement will not die.
Early Sunday morning, my doubts about Erika’s goal to continue her husband’s work began to wane. Hours before the sunrise in Arizona and probably before you awoke, I was watching Fox news coverage showing the headlights and taillights of the bumper-to-bumper traffic approaching the dome of the State Farm Stadium, brightly lit in the background.
More than 100,000 people were expected to attend the celebration. The hockey arena nearby was open for the overflow, yet many stood outside watching giant screens. There may have been 200.000 people here.all
As it became light, Fox reporters were on the street gathering thoughts from those who came to Kirk’s celebration of life. From the couple that drove four hours to get here, to the lone black gentleman wearing a MAGA hat, and the young woman who said she was in line at 2 a.m., the comments were filled with love and appreciation for Kirk.
The remarks by the virtual who’s who in Washington, including the president, vice president and several cabinet members, the president of the conservative Hillsdale College, a number of pastors and a host of Kirk’s staff and employees at Turning Point, all had similar messages, but the anecdotes were humorous when they needed to be.
Erika appeared, and despite fighting off tears, gave a courageous eulogy for her husband, during which she forgave the man who took her husband’s life.
As I look to her ability to fulfill her role as CEO of Turning Point USA, and her commitment to keep the movement alive, her comment that “the seeds have been planted” were poignant.
I recall how everyone was talking about toning down the rhetoric after President Trump’s near assassination. We’re hearing that again. Call me an eternal optimist – when you are a Michigan football fan you must be – I think Ericka and her team at Turning Point USA have what it takes to succeed but has America gotten Kirk’s message.
May God continue to bless the United States of America.
