Today marks a dark day in American and global politics: a day when a political figure was shot at a rally for " Making America Great Again. "
How tragic and wicked our world has become. We have seen it all before. When Dark Shadows try to change things. Because from the dark shadows comes Great Light.
Assassinations and attempts on the lives of world leaders have long been part of the tumultuous fabric of global politics. These acts of violence have altered the courses of nations, shifted power dynamics, and left indelible marks on history. Today's attempted assassination of Donald Trump is something that is not a novel event. When a political enemy is seen to be more of a threat to the incumbent, the solution has often been to just eliminate the threat.
Assassinations have been a grim reality since ancient times, often used as a tool for political maneuvering. From the stabbing of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. to the more recent targeted killings in the 20th and 21st centuries, the motivations range from political dissent and ideological opposition to personal vendettas and religious extremism.
One of the most infamous assassinations in American history is that of President Abraham Lincoln. On April 14, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathiser, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln’s death marked the first assassination of a U.S. president and plunged the nation into deep mourning.
President James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, believed that Garfield's death would benefit his own political aspirations. Garfield succumbed to his injuries on September 19, 1881, after a prolonged struggle.
President William McKinley was assassinated on September 6, 1901, by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley's death led to the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and had a lasting impact on the Secret Service's role in protecting the president.
Former President Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt on October 14, 1912, during his campaign for a third term. John Flammang Schrank shot Roosevelt in the chest, but the bullet was slowed by a steel eyeglass case and a folded speech in his pocket. Despite his injury, Roosevelt continued to deliver his speech before seeking medical attention.
On February 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami, Florida. Zangara's shots missed Roosevelt but killed Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak and injured four others. Roosevelt’s calm demeanour during the incident earned him significant public admiration.
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, remains one of the most debated and analysed events in American history. Kennedy's assassination had a profound effect on American society and politics, leading to significant changes in security protocols.
President Gerald Ford faced two assassination attempts in September 1975. The first was by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, in Sacramento, California, and the second by Sara Jane Moore in San Francisco. Both attempts were thwarted, and Ford emerged unscathed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of threats against U.S. leaders.
President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously wounded by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30, 1981, outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Hinckley’s motive was an obsession with actress Jodie Foster. Reagan’s swift recovery and return to duty boosted his popularity and demonstrated the resilience of his leadership.
Beyond the United States, the assassination and attempted assassination of leaders have left a global imprint. Figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, and Yitzhak Rabin were all victims of politically motivated violence. These events often underscore the volatile intersection of politics, ideology, and personal grievances.
Today, we all witnessed yet another attempt on the life of a prominent American: former President Trump who seeks to return to power in just a few short months.
Where to from here?
Assassinated leaders often become martyrs, and public sympathy can lead to a posthumous surge in popularity. This phenomenon occurs as the public reacts emotionally to the violent and abrupt loss of a leader, often leading to a reevaluation of their legacy. After his assassination in 1865, Abraham Lincoln’s legacy was solidified as that of a national hero who preserved the Union and abolished slavery. His death prompted widespread mourning and significantly elevated his status in American history.
Kennedy's assassination in 1963 led to an outpouring of grief and a lasting, almost mythic status in American culture. His youthful vigour and the sense of unfulfilled potential contributed to a nostalgic and often idealised memory.
Assassination attempts can also result in a short-term boost in popularity for surviving leaders. The public often rallies around a leader who survives an attack, viewing them as resilient and sympathetic figures. In fact, after the 1981 assassination attempt, Ronald Reagan’s approval ratings increased significantly. His humour and calm demeanour during his recovery endeared him to many Americans, enhancing his image as a strong and resilient leader.
In my opinion, this ATTACK on President Trump, particularly at a time when President Biden is suffering appalling polling and sinking support seems somehow counter productive to the democrat cause.
Possible assassination attempt? Really?
Yes, it was an attempt to kill Trump. We all knew it was not IF but WHEN. But what puzzles me is why NOW? When Biden is crumbling and Kamala Harris is as popular as herpes, why now?
Are the left so in love with their own lies that they believe that taking out Trump will somehow make them more electable?
Obviously, they skipped their history lessons at school. This has only made Trump more electable. My concern is what is next? We are past watching films about tragedies and waiting for the next installment of the long running series " Dark Shadows... how to eliminate your opposition. "
The next will be the sequel ": How to cover it up and profit from it. "
My bet is that the MAGA album will do better than the " Basement Tapes. "
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
