Kirk’s Last Rally, America’s Next Test: Will Free Speech Survive the Fallout?

[Stan]

The fatal shot that ended Charlie Kirk’s life at Utah Valley University turned a loud argument about speech into a blood-stained reminder that the fight over who gets to talk is never polite, never safe, and never finished. It was September 10, 2025, a late-summer day in Orem, Utah. The foothills of the Wasatch Mountains...

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[Asia Joe]

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But after Kirk’s assassination, some of those same conservatives demanded punishment for people who expressed joy at his death (Rolling Stone).

Thank you, Stan, for posting this. This helps me understand more.

I agree with this article that the backlash from his death was too harsh. Certainly, celebrating the murder of another human is repulsive.  However, firing someone over a social media post is out of line, in my opinion. If the platform they used were to take disciplinary action, that would be fine. 

If the employer were also taken some form of disciplinary action, that too would be fine. Short of firing them. If this was a first time thing, the employer could insist they did not post on social media in the future using a name that could be traced to the employer. Or they could have given them some unpaid time off to cool off. Or they could have required some counseling. 

About the free speech part. The US Supreme Court has ruled, you can not shout "fire" in a crowded theater. I would argue that saying such harsh things immediately after a murder, when emotions are already high, was not the purpose of the first amendment. Had these remarks been made 3 or 4 months after the event, they would or should be viewed differently. 

Now, there are some that have said that teachers at some colleges have radicalized young people and need to be punished. Some were punished. Again, if some teacher made inflammatory comments immediately after the murder, there should be some disciplinary action. Clearly not firing them for that comment. That is a knee-jerk reaction. 

But College campuses all over the world have been a place where unpopular opinions have been expressed. However, in recent years, we have seen some teachers involved in violence. If a college has a policy against this, then disciplinary action is justified. 

But just because a "left wing" person make strong comments, the solution is not to silence them. I can understand the frustration many have with these individuals. Because it seems impossible to reason with them. However, all through history, there were people who were unreasonable. Sometimes their viewpoints survived, sometimes they did not. 

When it comes to influencing young minds, in college, there needs to be a discussion about the parents.  I know an academic father whose daughter went to New York University. He was not happy with this radical teaching there. He wanted his daughter to learn the curriculum free from political doctrines. His solution? Withdraw his daughter and move her to another institution. He did not try to punish the administration or the teachers, he voted with his pocketbook. 

This is the fourth turning. We need to understand in 4th turnings there are many emotional activities and situations. There are younger people hungry for change. In such an environment, it is important for us more experienced people to seek non-knee-jerk reactions. 

 

[bonnie1962]

The way it sounds the employer is the one that took action.

 Certainly, celebrating the murder of another human is repulsive.  However, firing someone over a social media post is out of line, in my opinion. If the platform they used were to take disciplinary action, that would be fine. 

If the employer were also taken some form of disciplinary action, that too would be fine. Short of firing them. If this was a first time thing, the employer could insist they did not post on social media i

 4 things to know about ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show | PBS News

 

 

I am sure the Trump administration exerted some pressure  but put the blame initially where it belongs. It was wrong in either case.

 4 things to know about ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show | PBS News

[bonnie1962]

If at this point Trump  was able to twist arms enough for this he would have shut down the View a long time ago.  If there is a revolting show on TV that ranks right up there.

It didn't take a genius to gauge viewer repsonse in light of the enormous crowds US wide in response to Kirks death