2024 07 16

MLK’s childhood home. Atlanta, Georgia. May, 2024. © Clayton Hauck

Politics again. I know, I know. I just can’t get over how insane that Trump assassination attempt was. The entire thing feels like it was perfectly scripted to benefit the person who was almost dead as a result. The useful idiot or the brilliant marketer, depending on your views. I’m not at all saying that I think it was scripted, but as often is the case, fact is crazier than fiction. One inch, one slight turn of the head, seemingly changed the course of history in such a direct way. While I can’t even begin to predict what might’ve happened had Trump been killed that afternoon, it sure feels like he’s now destined to become president once again and take this country down whatever path he personally deems appropriate.

I’m not much one to believe in things like god or destiny or fate or angels or any of this but the fact that even I am now simply considering these things leads me to think many tens of millions of Americans will full on believe them.

It’s also remarkable to consider how much of an effect assassinations have had on the history of this nation (and the world). Entire timelines change. Tides turn. It’s no wonder our leaders have used assassination as an official tool of governing forever. These are grim and depressing thoughts and I wish I could spend less time thinking about them, but the way things are heading now, it seems like we’re trending back towards a time when these tools were used more regularly. I only hope I’m wrong.

The arc of the moral universe may in fact bend towards justice, but it is, indeed, a long and gradual bend. I’m going for a run to hopefully think about something else.

-Clayton