Iryna Zarutska came to the United States to escape war in the country of Ukraine. She wanted to live in a country free from war and the hardship that came with it. As a twenty-three year old young woman she immigrated and got a job to support herself as she lived in Charlotte. On August 22, just last month, she was stabbed to death on her way home from work at a pizza place. When given to option send their daughter’s body home, her family said that they wanted her buried in the US as she so loved the country that had become her home. Senseless death, by a killer with 14 arrests that should have been behind bars. Even his own mother recognized his danger…
Laken Riley and killed by a monster in an attempted sexual assault while on a morning run. She fought for her life…
A young intern working on Capitol Hill for the summer gunned down and killed, his parents left without their child…
A mother of five killed while running through a park in Maryland…
Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro’s home set on fire because the arsonist perceived his stance on Palestine…
A Minnesota lawmaker and her husband husband were murdered and another lawmaker and his wife were shot but survived by a stalker disguised as a police officer. The incident left friends and family with a hole in their hearts and asking why…
Photos from the different sites of the plane crashes on September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center, New York City, The Pentagon in Washington DC and Shanksville, PA.
Just yesterday, we remembered September 11, 2001 when thousands were killed, suffered health issues or left parentless or childless after the attacks in New York City, Washington DC and in Shanksville, PA. Most every year, I watch the tribute, think of the Tuesday morning back in 2001, that I got two elementary school aged children out the door to the bus and the N.A. three year old preschooler on his way after we heard Charlie Gibson say that a plane had hit one of two World Trade Center Towers. “We’ll keep you up to date on that” or something like that he said as s we were walking out the door to get into the car and off to the Perry Center. Of course, so much change after that attack. Lives changed forever. I recognize some of the same photos each year and have seen the spouses and parents get older. We feel like we know some of them. We have heard stories of how people left, have made good out of bad, Howard Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald who lost hundreds of employees including his brother and best friend. Frank Stiller lost his brother and went on to found the Tunnel to Towers organization that pays off mortgages for the families’ of fallen first responders. All these years later, it is still hard to believe that such evil could be thought up or executed upon so many innocent souls…
On Wednesday as I did chores around the house, with the tv on, I heard Breaking News that Charlie Kirk had been gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University to kick off his 2025 college tour. I feel as if I know Charlie as he is on social media and television so frequently. A young man, raised in Chicago, he reminded me of Alex P. Keaton, the conservative teenager, played by Michael J. Fox, in a role that kicked off his career on, Family Ties. Charlie dropped out of college to start what would eventually be Turning Point USA, his company/foundation that promoted educating teenagers and young adults on conservatism and tradition Christian values. If you watch some of his videos you can see why he appealed to so many young people. Charlie inspired those who he spoke in front of, or who saw him in online, to educate themselves on the issues, check your sources, be who God intended you to, prepare yourselves to be a spouse and parent, be the provider and leader of the family. His wife of four years, Erika, a former Miss Arizona, was part of his ministry as well for young women. She inspired young women to be the creator of a home life that nurtured their families and to be a refuge for her husband and children from the outside world. Charlie knew the risks that came with his role in a volatile world. Just recently I heard him say that he gets death threats, his family gets chased out of restaurants but it didn’t deter him from continuing on his mission. His work most likely helped Donald Trump win the youth vote in the 2024 election. Charlie welcomed critics to engage in respectful debate with him. He politely and confidently spoke his point and listened to those in opposition. He encouraged youth to also engage in mutually respectful conversations. A clip I heard played yesterday was something like, “When we stop talking is when civil unrest and wars begin. Conversations are what solves the problems” (paraphrasing here). In light of what is going on in our country right now, it’s easy to see why Charlie was killed, but on the other hand, having heard him speak over the years and sensing his light and kindhearted attitude, I don’t understand…
Unfortunately, evil is among us. It’s not something we may want to think about, but it is. The list above is just a sample of those who have met the fate of violence. They are men, women, conservative, liberal, democrat and republican, Christian, Jew, gay and straight. Goodness can be found in every category of people as well as evil. It’s a choice every human can make every morning they wake up. Will I sow evil or will I sow goodness? Most of us have nice friends, good coworkers, our day to day interactions are somewhat predictable/pleasant and although we may come into contact with the occasional rogue rude person, to see evil eye to eye, we just don’t see it. However now, it’s here staring us straight in the face. At times, I wonder if there is some force or some group of people who wishes to divide us as a country. This morning I saw a post from a fellow University of Michigan Alumni, Brad Meltzer, “The Best Way To Honor Those We Lost on 9/11 is to be the people we were on 9/12.” When any individual decides to evoke harm on another human being, whether it is physical, emotional, in spoken language or in written words, it’s evil.
Charlie Kirk was the leader of a foundation called Turning Point USA. I believe our country and possibly our world, are at a turning point at this moment. Will we choose goodness or will we choose evil? It’s up to us.
Interestingly two young men on September 10th. A twenty-two year old who choose violence on a thirty-one year old husband and father of two, who choose that morning and most mornings of his life, goodness and to spread goodness. Two young men who could have had incredibly bright futures ahead of them. How will you choose to live this day? It is up to you.
