So the last one there–whether or not it’s a moral idea, it’s important to remember that Trump was shot. Eleven months ago today, actually. It did nothing to stop this, and it did nothing to slow down his followers. Now, I don’t think that it particularly galvanized them, like some people say; but I also don’t think it did anything to remind him of his own mortality. To the contrary: he talked about his survival as if it were the will of God.
In February of 2001, the White House was shot at while Bush II was inside. Everything in the next seven years happened anyway. It doesn’t seem to have made him any more receptive to the will or displeasure of the people.
In 1994, something similar happened while Clinton was in the White House. He still served two terms, and not much seems to have changed about his demeanor or policies.
Ronald Reagan was shot at and hit in 1981, but it took the nuclear near miss in 1983 for him to de-escalate his rhetoric.
The attempted assassination of Nixon in February of 1974 doesn’t seem to have done anything to speed up his resignation that August.
For that matter, the successful assassination of JFK didn’t stop Johnson from handling Vietnam so poorly, and didn’t stop Nixon from being Nixon to begin with.
So I’m frankly doubtful that assassination attempts–successful or otherwise–are at all effective in giving politicians any feeling of mortality.
Ronald Reagan was shot at and hit in 1981, but it took the nuclear near miss in 1983 for him to de-escalate his rhetoric.
The worst thing John Hinkley ever did was choose to use a .22 that day. Based as hell for taking a shot at The Devil (.tm) like he did. The man is a hero. But damn did he choose his weapon poorly. (Jodie Foster thought it was hot)
For that matter, the successful assassination of JFK didn’t stop Johnson from handling Vietnam so poorly, and didn’t stop Nixon from being Nixon to begin with.
So the last one there–whether or not it’s a moral idea, it’s important to remember that Trump was shot. Eleven months ago today, actually. It did nothing to stop this, and it did nothing to slow down his followers. Now, I don’t think that it particularly galvanized them, like some people say; but I also don’t think it did anything to remind him of his own mortality. To the contrary: he talked about his survival as if it were the will of God.
In February of 2001, the White House was shot at while Bush II was inside. Everything in the next seven years happened anyway. It doesn’t seem to have made him any more receptive to the will or displeasure of the people.
In 1994, something similar happened while Clinton was in the White House. He still served two terms, and not much seems to have changed about his demeanor or policies.
Ronald Reagan was shot at and hit in 1981, but it took the nuclear near miss in 1983 for him to de-escalate his rhetoric.
The attempted assassination of Nixon in February of 1974 doesn’t seem to have done anything to speed up his resignation that August.
For that matter, the successful assassination of JFK didn’t stop Johnson from handling Vietnam so poorly, and didn’t stop Nixon from being Nixon to begin with.
So I’m frankly doubtful that assassination attempts–successful or otherwise–are at all effective in giving politicians any feeling of mortality.
Because it was a setup. Not an organic shooting.
Remember when Steve Scalice (sp?) got shot? Remember PLAY BALL all over the internet? That had the desired effect. It works. When its real.
Counterpoint: Giffords was shot, and nothing changed.
Is there any evidence for that? I haven’t seen any.
The worst thing John Hinkley ever did was choose to use a .22 that day. Based as hell for taking a shot at The Devil (.tm) like he did. The man is a hero. But damn did he choose his weapon poorly. (Jodie Foster thought it was hot)
Operation Northwoods.
I don’t know if I follow your argument here. Kennedy had already rejected the plan, more than a year and a half before his assassination.