Editor’s note: The Watchman encourages readers to peacefully express their disagreement and opinions through their words and their wallets. We can peacefully relay our opinions by choosing where we do business, and by reaching out to public figures and others through emails, phone calls and conversations, while adamantly condemning the type of violence that was inflicted on Charlie Kirk.
From local business owners to legislative aids, a number of hard leftists in Alaska have taken to social media to publicly expressed their disdain – and even hatred – for conservative apologist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in the neck during a campus event in Utah last week.
Kirk, the founder of a campus outreach called Turning Point USA, was shot last Wednesday while speaking to a massive crowd of students at Utah Valley University. Two days later, law enforcement arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, Kirk’s alleged killer.
Scores of Alaskans began posting comments and videos praising Kirk’s death, making light of it or justifying the shooting. Others mocked anyone who expressed sympathy for Kirk or his mourning family.
The fact that Kirk used one-on-one dialogue to challenge students to rethink their positions on transgenderism, abortion, critical race theory, climate alarmism and a host of other hot-button topics, outraged many on the left.
A café owner in Wasilla posted a video calling the deceased Kirk a “Yahtzee,” which is a code word for Nazi.
“These sympathizers, that I am seeing on this internet, is astounding,” Kaleigh Pannone, owner of The Commons Café, said in a social media video. “Anyone who’s been confused about the rise in fascism in America, should no longer be confused when you’re seeing people you thought were decent defending a Yahtzee. Ya’ll are all sympathizers if you’re defending or holding space for, or God forbid grieving this person, you are a Yahtzee sympathizer, and I don’t fuckin’ know you.”
Another Alaskan woman, Sarena Hackenmiller, who works as a legislative aid for Democrat State Sen. Matt Claman, of Anchorage, lashed out on social media, when hearing that people were praying for Kirk’s wife and his two young children.
“They’ll be fine,” Hackenmiller quipped. “Life insurance policy and his daughter might have a chance to grow up sane now.”
She added: “Just don’t have much empathy.”
A prominent environmental activist who helped found the leftist group, Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, posted a rant against Kirk’s pro-Israel and pro-life views, as well as his defense of gun rights and his opposition to affirmative action. She ended her post with these words: “I’m not sad Hitler died and I’m not sad this guy died, R.I.H. (an acronym that is commonly used for “rot in hell”).
While thousands of Alaskans have gathered for vigils to mourn the loss of Kirk and offer prayers for his family and the nation, the fact that radical left-wing voices have celebrated or excused his death, while expressing disgust for those offering sympathy, illustrates a wide divide in Alaska and across the nation.
The day Kirk was killed, City of Fairbanks Mayor David Pruhs, lowered the U.S. and Alaska flags outside city hall.
“We are very saddened to hear about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. With President Trump’s directive, we are sadly yet proudly lowering our flag at half-mast to honor such a wonderful human being,” he posted to Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful wife and wonderful young children. Senseless violence is never the answer. Portions of Charlie Kirk’s words and spirit resides in all Fairbanksans, Alaskans and Americans.”
Reactions to Pruhs’ post showed just how deep the social and political divide is in Alaska.
Many responses criticized Pruhs for lowering the flags and claimed that Kirk’s “hateful” words and conservative beliefs were partially responsible for his death. Others argued that the world is better off without him.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Nationally, the same dynamic has played out, with many leftists claiming Kirk was a fascist, homophobe, misogynist and racist for defending traditional family values and the rights of the unborn, and for questioning LGBTQ ideology, critical race theory and climate alarmism.
In most cases, criticism of Kirk is based on the belief that gender ideology and identity politics are immutable characteristics, like race or biological sex. Failure to accept, approve and defend these ideologies is now seen by many on the left as akin to rejecting the foundational core of a person.
36 Comments
I’m as liberal as they come. Kirk’s beliefs are 100% different than mine. From all accounts, he managed to unite his followers, was not vulgar like alex Jones and Steve Bannon and followed a perfect political, community organizing model.
nice!!
Wow Manny you’ve come around maybe you have a Heart..
May God bless you too.
Sorry Manny.. I don’t follow your liberal beliefs.
The first step to recovery is admitting you are wrong. Liberal beliefs are peaceful, reasonable and intelligent. This world awaits you. Happy journey!
I am not convinced Alex Jones is a true conservative. I think he’s a chameleon, pretending to be something he’s not. I’m suspicious of Sean Hannity, as well. From what I have seen he talks with no real solution to the problem. It just seems he likes to get people stirred up. There’s a lot of chameleons in the Republican Party, in my opinion
Boycott The Commons Café
I would ask, what would Charlie Kirk do? Then, pray for the very lost proprietor who desperately needs Jesus and is wallowing in the blindness of sin. I think we need to look at some of these situations as opportunity. Those among us gifted in calm argument/debate should frequent the cafe as long as it is not with intent to harm. Engage and confront in love and kindness but with full armor – Ephesians 6:10-18.
This anti-biblical weak Christianity is a large part of why millions of babies and children have been murdered, mutilated, and trafficked.
Why innocent people have been imprisoned and destroyed, and 30% of our kids hold sensually deviant behavior.
They hide behind pacifism at the cost of doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly…justice an
Agreed and pray they someday see the light!!
I will believe that any that dances on someone’s grave deserves no fkn quarter…just like they give,oh but for them when someone stands up to them they flip script now I’m the victim..r.i.h. All of you types…sickening and disgusting
When a person tells you that he or she wants you dead, Christian prudence suggests that you believe them. Please remember that defense of the innocent is a Christian virtue, not a sin. These hateful leftists have destroyed the limits on acceptable behavior. Keep your eyes open.
Tamra. Do not inflame. Do not advance hatred that will kill someone. Leftists did not assassinate Charlie Kirk. A dooshbag thrill seeker dumbass kid with a warped mind did. One guy, not an entire political movement.
But the leftest have, and still are egging on the crazies to act upon their rhetoric. Calling a particular person a Nazi, as the left has referred to Charlie Kirk many times. History taught us that the Nazis were to be destroyed, and that exactly what this nut case did. It was the lefties that instigated the assassination of Charlie Kirk… let that soak in!
Inflame like leftists do all the time…? /s
Uh, yes; leftists did assassinate Kirk. Manny, if you are in it for a penny; you are in it for pound. Quit being a beta-male and own it.
Agree, Steve and Herman.
If this brain washed kid did not subscribe to this vile leftist ideology. Just go to the microphone and ask Charlie a question. Yes with words, you can agree to disagree. Hurting someone you don’t agree with is wrong.
Thank you
This anti-biblical weak Christianity is a large part of why millions of babies and children have been murdered, mutilated, and trafficked.
Why innocent people have been imprisoned and destroyed, and 30% of our kids hold sensually deviant behavior.
They hide behind pacifism at the cost of doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly…justice and order did not die on the cross.
When the left politicians call their opponents Nazi’s, and white supremacist over and over they’ll convince at least one of their followers to act on their message, and assassinate the Nazi opponent. What don’t they understand? Our culture war is no longer just a culture war, they have switched to violence against the Conservatives. The only question I have for their leaders is, “Are you satisfied now?”
Thank you so much, Watchman, for a giving me names to add to my list of businesses I will not patronize and public figures to shun.
Those who mocked Charlie’s Kirk’s Death in Alaska that are on the radical left should be FIRED from their JOB.
Those who celebrate charlie Kirk’s Death in Alaska on the Radical Left SHOULD Be FIRED from their JOBS
Anonymous- are you a troll trying to stir up trouble? That is not what we do as Americans. How do you get rid of a bad idea? With another idea.
Oh kiss my grits, no one should be fired for what they say off the clock, this crap is part of why I left the Republican Party of which I have supported my entire life. I put more man hours into getting republicans into office than you have watching tv Jack ass. You know this escalated because you took the bait Isreal set out for you. As a traditional Catholic I can recognize the situation for what it is two wrongs: Protestantism/Zionism and leftism arguing over who ruins whose lives. No matter who wins the country loses. Instead of rising above this mess you’ve dropped like a pig into slop to own the libs.
I’m saddened and disappointed that our culture in America, which is Christian based and freedom oriented, is so abhorrent to some people. I don’t understand why they live here when there are plenty of countries they could move to that suppress open dialog, freedom of thought, and violently squelch any deviation from their ideology. There they could “happily” continue to hate truth, love, and freedom with no consequences. I wonder why they still live here?
Chickadee. Did you know that Donald Trump is the president of the United States? Have you followed how many times he’s disparaged Christians and the military? How many lives have been lost due to his wavering and weak foreign policy? How many American citizens have been deported from this “freedom oriented “ country?
Yes Donald Trump is the President of the United States. It is good that you know that. President Trump did not disparage the military. The military overwhelmingly supports the President. As does American voters. He does not disparage Christians. How many lives have been lost due to the President’s foreign policies? This “freedom oriented” country was invaded by NON-CITIZENS i.e. ILLEGAL immigrants. Those illegal aliens are getting deported, NOT American citizens. This “freedom loving” country has laws that allows for legal immigration. Those laws were created by Congress and signed by Presidents, including left leaning ones. Your divisive rhetoric and unsubstantiated claims are ridiculous and annoying.
You should really question your sources.
Ah, so you watch CNN, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, and listen to any left-leaning garbage you can find. Now we know.
Gary, Sorry to hear about the loss of your integrity, but at least you still have your gullibility.
It’s unfortunate that both extremes left and right are putting the majority of decent peace—loving Alaskans through this dilemma. The first Alaskans are appealing for calm.
Indeed!
This anti-biblical weak Christianity is a large part of why millions of babies and children have been murdered, mutilated, and trafficked.
Why innocent people have been imprisoned and destroyed, and 30% of our kids hold sensually deviant behavior.
They hide behind pacifism at the cost of doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly…justice and order did not die on the cross.
Here’s the deal, there is no such thing as a title, left, right, republican, or whatever. This is all a trap, and root cause of our division. There are actions and intentions, you are either a benevolent soul or malevolent soul. If you allow unseen negative influences to crash your normally benevolent nature then do something about it. Humans are not born into hate, they are socially engineered to behave this way. Yes you too. Actions define all of us, if you abide by God’s laws (AKA Universal law), 10 commandments as such you are on the right track. Hate is NOT on the menu for a benevolent soul. Each and every human must take a look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. Earth is ground zero for the Orion Wars (good vs. evil). Politics is all but theater, not one politician I’m aware of is in touch with our multiple dimensional reality. We have a plethora of ancient documents that spell this out for all of us. It’s far more simple than the onslaught of never ending physops people keep falling for would have us believe. No politician, media, or a president can give me, love, morals and integrity.
God gave our souls these before we came to Earth. It’s all we can do to not allow ourselves to loose them. Balance is always the key for this world to survive.
Peace!
Once again the watchman moderators are hard at work keeping actual truth from being posted. Hey Watchman, you should hire moderators that with an open mind and loving heart, how about that 1st Amendment.
Matt Claman’s legislative aide should be fired and the young lady who owns the cafe in Wasilla should be boycotted. Anyone who celebrates death should be shunned.