Previously Published in The Messenger
By Joe Cardinale
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has rocked the foundation of Democracy and free speech. A senseless, radical, and cowardly act that has people young and old asking, “why?”
Why Charlie? A spirited, witty, confident patriot whose entire life platform was to restore core values to a country he loved so dearly. His love of God, family, and country was so strong and genuine, that he was willing to put it all on the line just to create an honest and open dialogue within a lost generation – his generation. For years, we all sat back and watched the political circus in this country chip away at our God-given rights and it became acceptable – acceptable and perpetrated by those who allowed the indoctrination of our youth within the walls of the universities that force-fed them dangerous and biased curriculums.
Not Charlie.
He stood up and actually did something about it. He started a movement that many never saw coming. When his vision became an undisputed reality and success, the smart ones embraced it, and the dangerous ones plotted against it. Charlie always stayed focused and on point. He had a God-given talent of challenging the immoral majority within these institutions and gave our youth the opportunity to make their own decisions and choose their own paths in life. He inspired them and never gave up on them.
As a society, we did.
He listened when society turned a deaf ear to the cries of those who deep down wanted something to believe in and fight for. I admire Charlie. He taught old dogs new tricks. I would sit up late at night and either watch or listen to him debate and dismantle baseless theories or comments in a way that only he could with truth, knowledge, and a smile. He never made anyone feel foolish; they did that themselves. We all owe Charlie the respect and dignity of ensuring his dream continues to shape generations to come.
So, why Charlie?
Simply because he was a clear and present danger to a corrupt system that was way too comfortable telling people how to live their lives. He was pure at heart, humble, and had a genuine love of people. Knowledge in the wrong hands creates turmoil, in Charlie’s hands it created the movement of a lifetime.
That’s why Charlie.
Joe Cardinale (C-Amityville) is an Executive Board Member of the Town of Babylon Conservative Party. He ran for New York’s Twelfth Assembly District in 2024.