This is edition 2025/163 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Violence is the resort for those without reason
Simon O'Connor
- 🕊️ Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old husband and father, was assassinated for his outspoken conservative, Christian views.
- ⚖️ Author argues progressives justify violence under a “ends justify the means” mindset, undermining democracy.
- 📺 Media outlets like MSNBC, CNN, and some NZ outlets implied Kirk “deserved it” due to his political and religious beliefs.
- ✝️ Kirk’s positions—pro-life, traditional marriage, Republican, Christian—were labeled “controversial,” used to rationalize his killing.
- 💥 Violence is seen as a substitute when rational debate fails, with examples like Albert Park assaults and vandalism by activist Hannah Swedlund.
- 📊 FIRE survey shows 34% of US students think violence is acceptable against disliked ideas.
- 🔗 Author describes a “continuum of violence,” from cancel culture to assassination, though distinctions exist between property damage, speech, and physical attacks.
- 🤔 Progressives claim tolerance and inclusivity but often act with double standards; conservatives too have incidents but less systemic approval.
- 🌍 Assassination of Kirk is part of a wider pattern—echoed in attacks on Trump, Catholic churches, and others—showing political violence is excused depending on the target.
- 🙏 Closing reflection: Charlie’s death is tragic; his family deserves support, and his murder must not be normalized.
