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sinkingfeeling

(56,297 posts)
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:12 AM Yesterday

Why are the media using the terms 'assassination' and 'assassin' speaking of Kirk? Do they know the motive for his

murder? IMO, words matter.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Why are the media using the terms 'assassination' and 'assassin' speaking of Kirk? Do they know the motive for his (Original Post) sinkingfeeling Yesterday OP
IMO it's still an assassination, irrespective of motive EYESORE 9001 Yesterday #1
Disagree. Jilly_in_VA Yesterday #2
So MLK wasn't assassinated? FBaggins Yesterday #3
I think the term fits primarily because it was the targeted killing of a high profile public figure fujiyamasan Yesterday #4
Dictionary definition PJMcK Yesterday #5
It was still a political assassination IMO EYESORE 9001 Yesterday #6
MLK was a highly political figure Jilly_in_VA Yesterday #7

EYESORE 9001

(29,005 posts)
1. IMO it's still an assassination, irrespective of motive
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:22 AM
Yesterday

This applies to any other public figure, so why not Charlie Kirk? The result is the same, regardless of the reason behind this murder by sniper.

Jilly_in_VA

(12,984 posts)
2. Disagree.
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:44 AM
Yesterday

It only applies to politicians or candidates. He was neither. He was on par with someone like Stephen Colbert---WITHOUT the sense of humor! Or perhaps Rachel Maddow. No one, least of all the orange slime, would EVER say they were assassinated, IF, God should only forbid, some fool should decide to take one of them out.

FBaggins

(28,419 posts)
3. So MLK wasn't assassinated?
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:50 AM
Yesterday

Sorry … it’s an understandable mistake - but it’s still a mistake.

CK was assassinated

fujiyamasan

(653 posts)
4. I think the term fits primarily because it was the targeted killing of a high profile public figure
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:52 AM
Yesterday

PJMcK

(24,208 posts)
5. Dictionary definition
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 07:57 AM
Yesterday

“Assassination is the willful killing, by a sudden or secret attack, of a person—especially if prominent or important. It may be prompted by political, ideological, religious, financial, or military motives.”

(My highlight)

EYESORE 9001

(29,005 posts)
6. It was still a political assassination IMO
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 09:04 AM
Yesterday

I cannot resolve a single issue which could have prompted his murder that is not political in nature, including things which should not be political but have become so. As for only applying to politicians and candidates, how about MLK? How has his murder been characterized? Assassination. I would carry it a step further and call it political assassination, despite Dr. King not holding office a candidate for elected office.

Jilly_in_VA

(12,984 posts)
7. MLK was a highly political figure
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 02:19 PM
Yesterday

in the way that, well, I can't think of a parallel to him in the present day. Rev. William Barber is as close as we've got, but he is not his equal. Nobody is.

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