Dear Editor,
Knowing that there are always three sides to every story. Your side, my side and the truth. I waited to see how the Ark Valley Voice covered the Turning Point USA organizational meeting held at a church in Buena Vista on November 14th. Anthony Locke, aged 21, a TPUSA representative spoke to a packed house. My Wife and I were there, sitting off to the side, being late arrivals to the crowded church, we were able to look right at the Antagonist, who planted himself in the middle of the audience. He immediately looked out of place wearing heavy coveralls, boots and construction grade kneepads. An odd choice of dress considering I was comfortable in short sleeves that night. I figured he was one of the protesters we saw outside the event before it started. We assumed many would come inside for disruption purposes. We paid him no mind as the courageous young Mr. Locke gave a presentation on how a TPUSA chapter could take shape in Chaffee County. Locke never raised his voice, or his tempo as he bravely answered everyone’s questions. It was a good and productive meeting. Not one-sided; with Mr. Locke holding his own. Locke eventually, politely asked for a question from our battle dressed antagonist, who started reasonable enough, then quickly transitioned by standing up and launching into what can only be described as a loud, vitriolic and intentionally inflammatory diatribe against the recently assassinated Charlie Kirk. The very man who was publicly murdered for only his words and still being mourned by most of the people assembled. Judging by his dress, he was attempting to provoke violence, with disturbing and false rhetoric about “Hateful White Christian Nationalists”. It was a smear of the highest, most intellectually vapid and disturbing order. A few in the audience peacefully intervened just as he had hoped while his friends spattered throughout the audience filmed and smiled. his mission was already a success. The narrative had been achieved for the biased local media.
After the ruckus, I approached him and told him that “Charlie Kirk was none of those things you said.” And “You have no Credibility, or moral high ground.” Charlie had the right to say anything he wanted and our dear provocateur, and his nihilist friends had every right not to listen to him. I believe that leftist Violence is the most pressing issue of our time.
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