I write this in a sombre mood.
I’ve always maintained that the Legion is not a place where politics and social affairs should seep in, but what happened yesterday in Utah to Charlie Kirk is not merely a partisan issue.
It’s one about basic humanity.
I didn’t agree with all of Charlie’s points.
I am not a Christian; I believe there are grounds for abortion, and women should have their right to exercise it early in their pregnancy; and, being a Brit, I desperately oppose the right to bear arms for reasons like what happened yesterday.
They were his beliefs, his virtues, and it was his right to speak about them, as it is mine to disagree and disregard those I don’t agree with.
What we “should” all agree on, however, is that he shouldn’t be leaving behind a wife and two young children because of them.
Right?
Yet still, tragic events like this always have a nasty habit of rearing the ugly heads that live among us. Those who are totally bankrupt of even the most basic humanity. You’d think only the uneducated or the uninformed would dance on a man’s corpse that has barely lost its warmth.
Oh, how I wish that were true.
Doctors, nurses, firefighters, hospice workers, teachers — people we are supposed to entrust with our lives and, most precious of all, our children — are gleefully celebrating this murder, saying some of the most vile, reprehensible things that should disturb everyone.
Yet, as sickened as I am by their vitriol, I support their right to spew it.
Doesn’t mean I want anything to do with them.
And it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t face consequences.
Words, like actions, do have repercussions, after all — but one of them should NEVER be losing your life.
Especially in democratically free countries.
So yeah, this is a sad day indeed. Not just for Charlie, his family, and those who champion civil discourse and sitting down with their opponents to have open discussions (opposed to hiding behind a camera lens)…
But all of us.
If you are one of these people publicly or privately cheering on his death, do write me back.
I won’t put you on blast.
I won’t call you out.
And I certainly won’t hurl any abuse at you.
I just want to block you from this newsletter and from ever buying one of my books at my Storehouse ever again. This request extends to my most loyal Patrons, too.
I will forever defend your right to speak freely about whatever is on your mind, but that doesn't mean I want your coin.
Anyway, I accept this is a glummer broadcast than my usual irreverent, obnoxious self.
For that, I apologise.
I assure you that tomorrow will be a better day.
With that, I’m going to sign off, hang out with Lady Laura and Master Liam, and dive into a good story later tonight as I always do on darker days. Should you wish to seek the same sanctuary, I have penned over half a dozen books you can disappear into here:
https://www.djjwatsonstore.com
DJJW