By Austin Luckett

OPINION

I strongly and unequivocally denounce any political violence. The attempt on Trump’s life is a horrible tragedy. I fully reject the conspiracy theories and horrendously divisive ideas that suggest this was staged in any way, or that this was sanctioned by Democrats, or even by Biden. The notion that your vote makes you agree or disagree with it is equally unfounded. We are in a sad state in this country when we turn on each other as enemies. The bullet was real, resulting in one death and two injuries.

Corey Comperatore died a hero protecting his family. Any suggestion otherwise is as absurd as claiming Trump actually won the election. The violence on January 6th should be denounced just as strongly as the attempt on Trump's life. Certainly there were dangers to the lives of Mike Pence, Pelosi, and many members of Congress. Chants of “Hang Mike Pence” still should be adamantly condemned and not looked over and forgotten. But here we are. This simply cannot be our new normal. We engage with politics and try to work out our differences politically to avoid violence. Running around with derogatory slogans against Biden, or any other childish iteration, stems from a place of hate rather than recognizing someone as a human being. This hate is not morally equivalent to a rainbow flag. It's fine to disagree with it—that is absolutely your choice. Compromise is not a dirty word; people need to work together. Trump is right that we must "unite," and Biden is right that we will disagree but must use the "ballot box, not bullets."

I will not support any candidate who cannot denounce violence and extremism within their own party just as much as in another party. This denouncement must come from the leadership; failing to do so is a lack of leadership. Speaking truth when it is unpopular is way better than accepting party lies. We do not attempt to overturn elections by force or threats of any kind. I don't care who you vote for, who you want me to vote for, or what label you want to place on me. Think critically. And Vote! I have never registered as a Republican or a Democrat. I think for myself and would be extremely embarrassed to be fully affiliated with any one party or worship any one person within that party. Freedom, to me, is being independent from party politics and tribalism.

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