By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the tragic assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, at the hands of Vance Boelter, who had a hit list targeting Democrats and reproductive healthcare providers, a memorial was held at the Minnesota State Capitol. While former President Joe Biden attended the memorial to pay his respects, former President Donald Trump did not appear, despite condemning the attacks. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to attend the funeral. Hortman’s death has been mourned by thousands of people, making history as the first woman to lie in state in Minnesota.
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MAGA Republicans Snub Memorial for Victims of Minnesota Madman | Melissa Hortman, husband Mark, and dog Gilbert lie in state at Minnesota Capitol. Top MAGA Republicans are nowhere to be seen. This is a scenario that lays bare some uncomfortable truths, doesn’t it? When a tragedy strikes, especially one with political implications, the absence of certain figures can speak volumes. In this case, the notable absence of top MAGA Republicans at the memorial for Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, who were victims of a Minnesota madman, is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a statement. It’s a statement that resonates deeply, and it’s hard not to be taken aback by it.
This absence feels like a deliberate choice, a conscious act of omission. It forces us to confront the question of whether the principles of human decency and empathy transcend political divides, or if something else entirely is at play. Is it possible that the performance of political loyalty has eclipsed the ability to simply mourn and offer condolences? It’s a stark choice between acknowledging the shared human experience of grief, or prioritizing something else entirely.
The potential reasons behind this decision, or lack thereof, are unsettling. Is it a case of apathy, a callous disregard for the suffering of those deemed ‘other’? Or, perhaps, is it something more sinister, a tacit approval of the act itself? The latter is a particularly chilling thought, suggesting a level of partisan polarization where the death of someone on the ‘opposing side’ is met with indifference, or even a degree of satisfaction. The very idea is enough to make anyone’s stomach churn.
Consider the contrast – the hypothetical, if the situation were reversed. We all know, deep down, what would happen. The rhetoric would be immediate, the outrage amplified, and the airwaves saturated with condemnation. The absence of this very reaction suggests something rotten at the core of this particular political movement.
The claims of supporting political terrorism are weighty, but they deserve consideration in this context. If one views the political climate as a battleground, where the ‘ends justify the means,’ then silence in the face of a tragedy might be interpreted as a form of endorsement, or at least a strategic calculation. It’s not hard to see how such a worldview might foster an environment where violence, or the celebration of it, becomes normalized. This is the crux of what makes this situation so alarming.
This isn’t just about not attending a memorial. It’s about the message it sends. It’s about the signals being sent to the base and to those who might be inclined to violence. If your elected officials and the leaders of your movement can’t even bring themselves to acknowledge the pain of the victims, what message does that send to the rest of the country? That their lives don’t matter. That they’re not worthy of respect.
The calls to “make good trouble” from the Democratic Party are understandable, given the circumstances. In the face of what can only be described as a calculated snub, this is almost expected. They would be correct. The lack of human empathy is a problem that goes beyond political strategy. The focus on MAGA only matters to MAGA, and the lack of compassion is shocking. It’s not a matter of political gamesmanship, but a stark reflection of values.
The comments about the hypocrisy of those claiming religious faith while displaying such a lack of compassion are valid. It is difficult to reconcile the teachings of empathy with the behavior displayed here. The irony is almost too painful to bear, and it should be considered.
The complete disregard for the victim’s life is not normal. These actions are considered a sign of extreme division. The fact that there are people cheering at someone’s demise is a sign of a society that has lost its moral compass.
There is a level of frustration. It’s as if these political figures have decided that humanity and empathy are secondary to their political goals. The situation has made it very clear that they don’t give a damn about the death of others.
There is a sense that MAGA has become a kind of personality cult, where loyalty to a particular ideology trumps everything else. The lack of empathy displayed by so many in this scenario is a demonstration of the destructive potential of such cult-like behavior.
It is difficult to find anything positive in the situation. The MAGA Republicans’ absence speaks volumes. It is a symbol of something much bigger than a simple absence from a memorial service. It’s a sign of a deeper sickness, a rot at the heart of the political landscape. It is a challenge that has to be faced by everyone, and a warning.