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Culture War Roundup for the week of May 19, 2025

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I think you are being a little unfair here. I do not remember anyone on the Motte (even Blue folks like me) reacting to the attempted Trump assassination with anything other than disapproval. Maybe I didn't express enough horror and disapproval for you, but no one thought it was no big deal or worse, something to be encouraged. And by and large, I did not see that reaction even among my most leftie friends. Sure, TikTok was full of people screaming in dismay that the shooter missed, but do you think that actually represents mainstream Blue tribe thinking?

I'm not so sure about this. I don't remember seeing anyone on the Motte reacting that way, but of the people I interacted with IRL in my very blue bubble I was the only one who wasn't openly wishing the shooter hadn't missed. Most at least had the good grace to only do so in conversations held in private rather than public locations, but they were said openly to everyone present to widespread agreement. How much of that was puffery versus how much of it was serious is another question...

I think more Americans of all political stripes think trying to assassinate politicians (even politicians they dislike) is bad, than you are willing to credit.

I think the important question isn't whether or not they think it is bad, but whether they think it is or may become necessary.