VIOLENCE: It can be stopped

The current wave of political violence can and must be stopped. 

But the reaction so far has been counterproductive. It is irresponsible of certain commentators to blame this terrible violence on one individual, group or ideology.

Following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Elon Musk and President Trump both pointed the finger at “leftists,” without evidence. This fuels further discontent.

Then some people reportedly blamed Kirk for his own demise, using rhetoric that Kirk himself used against marginalized groups, such as Black and LGBTQ communities. This back and forth also fuels the cycle of violence and hatred.

In last Friday’s Coeur d’Alene Press, the lead letter to the editor accused Democrats, again without evidence, of being “accessories” to Kirk’s murder and having blood on their hands. 

Robert Pape, the director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats at the University of Chicago, told the Associated Press: “What you’re seeing now is exactly how the spiral of violence occurs.”

If we are to stop this spiraling violence, we must take collective responsibility and collective action — coming together, not tearing each other apart.

Wouldn’t we be better off if we were to focus our attention and efforts on lowering the temperature across the nation and restoring calm? Reject politicians who seek to divide us. Reject media outlets — whether newspapers, broadcasters, or online influencers — that spread unsupported accusations or inflammatory rhetoric.

And shouldn’t we invest in accessible mental health services for everyone, ensuring that those in crisis are supported before their frustrations boil over?

Finally, given that young men are disproportionately responsible for many of these acts of violence, why don’t we temporarily raise the minimum age for firearm access?

These are better ways to honor the memories of the excessive number of Americans killed in the line of political fire. And to make our communities safer.

EVAN KOCH

Spirit Lake

Editor’s note: Evan Koch is past chair of the Kootenai County Democrats and the current 1st Vice-chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. The views expressed here are his own.