09/09/2026
I’ve been reflecting on the attack, attempted attack or whatever the hell it was on Sunday on Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair.
As of 9/10 it appears was recording and pushed his way through the crowd as he yelled out her name in a way that caused a trooper to intercept him. He didn’t get close to the candidate due to trooper interaction. He was found to be carrying two pistols and an additional weapon.
I’d like to be clear that the fact that it is conceivable for a politician to be attacked is the reason for my post.
Adapted language above.
I don’t know what motivates someone to do that and frankly it’s probably a combination of factors, but there is no doubt in my mind the systems that dehumanize the "other" and drive us apart are in the mix.
It is now so profitable in terms of financial and social capital to feed this machine of fear and hatred.
We -- as in liberals, conservatives, and everything else -- have to go beyond words into action if we hope to regain a sense of civility.
-We must reject the media that seeks to divide with wild caricatures of candidates and those that support them.
-We must push our own candidates to stand against the work of PACs that do the dirty work so candidates can stay clean.
-If our own candidates go too far, we must push back and remind them we expect more.
-We must call out those in our circles who go too far with their rhetoric and actions before something like this happens again.
-We must remember that we are all humans first.
These are not the only actions to take ... but we’ve got to resist this crap.
For six days last week I was engaged with people from all parts of the political landscape at the Stark County Fair.
I am CONVINCED that when real human interaction takes place, the lines of division shift from the hypothetical to the real and become based on policies and actions. There will always be differences that we can debate and discuss as rational humans.
