About What Happened In Utah...

 I did a quick search, and from the looks of it the only "Kirk" I've mentioned recently was named Cameron. So to act like I have a lot to say about the other person who shared that name would ring hollow.

Nevertheless, here's my thoughts:

• I wouldn't wish what happened on my own worst enemy; 
• I dare say that he was not a willing or knowing participant, i.e., "in" or any "conspiracy;"
• If the quotes attributed to him are indeed his, then he was, as they say, "about that life."

Should a person known mostly for saying callous things, who had an audience yet still wasn't a mainstream name on the level of Rush Limbaugh, be canonized or mocked, even in this era of genocide and mass shootings? Should someone who dismissed empathy and argued for the acceptance of gun violence (as a means to preserve the 2nd Amendment) who met the most ironic of ends be treated as he treated others, or as we would want ourselves to be treated? 

My upbringing and experience tells me that while all life is unique, we cannot dismiss what anyone contributed to this world while they were on it. But even then, I also believe that everyone has the capacity to change. The thing about taking the life of someone you disagree with is that we'll never know if that person could have, even in the rarest cases, seen things differently. 

That said, if the President doesn't send the national guard into Utah over this, I don't want to hear anything else from him about the need to deal with areas/cities that have so much "crime." If an employee of Elon Musk getting mugged warrants invading DC, than a public execution warrants at least something on that level. 

As for the "who" and "why" aspect, the take I agree with the most (thought still not 100%) is this one: