Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer came from somewhere. We all do.Since the “In the beginning” times, our species has wrestled with the fundamental logic — and perceived unfairness — of holding parents responsible for the sins of their children. Or the other way around. In the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, the prophet makes this explicit:The person who sins will die. A son will not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt, nor will a father suffer the punishment for the son’s guilt; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)Yet, we mortals struggle with this idea. It’s a matter of self-preservation. The unifying idea is that we must bear some responsibility for the behavior of our own kids. Our kids are reflections of us because we put our stamp on them. Functional societies have a justifiable fear of the ripple effects of other people’s bad parenting.What this family confronted deserves to be noticed, praised, and modeled.Healthy families are civilization’s frontline schoolhouse of needed humans — producers of good men, women, and citizens. Bad parents can easily replicate themselves and often do. It is a rare and beautiful testament to the enduring nature of the good to see exceptions to the rule.The inverse happens, too. I have met many good parents of bad kids — a bad seed that grows up to be a bad adult. Or a good kid who leaves the home for school, falls in with the wrong crowd, and rejects root and branch the ways of his family.Modern parents know that at some point, we must let our offspring venture into a hard and secular world outside the home threshold, a world that undermines good parenting at every turn. A school system that inverts the established, time-tested ways for purposes of political indoctrination. A culture that has lost any sense of moral and natural limits. An algorithmic media that is set on setting people into warring tribes with desensitized, brutish ways.Good soil, infected fruitCharlie Kirk’s alleged assassin was born and raised in Southwestern Utah — Mormon territory. He was the son of a mother and father who raised their kids in the Mormon way, which produces exemplary fruits that are missionaries to the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — its formal name — instills family loyalty, stewardship, tolerance, sobriety, hard work, and sharing. Members tithe. They contribute. They are impressive people.Even Matt Stone and Trey Parker, with their “Dumb, Dumb, Dumb” view of the Mormon religion (which is a cutout for all organized religion), recognized that Mormons have strong families and raise very good kids. The whole “Book of Mormon” craze began with a 2003 “South Park” episode featuring an impressive Mormon high school kid. His ending soliloquy put it best:Look, maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense, and maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up. But I have a great life and a great family, and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that.The truth is, I don’t care if Joseph Smith made it all up, because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice, and helping people.I don’t know about you, but I admire the old-school way the accused killer’s father brought his son — his own flesh and blood — to face justice.Would you have done the same?The family saw the fruit of their loins on video surveillance in a national all-points bulletin. The family reached out to their own. Father and grandfather. They talked him into coming home. Once he was home, they convinced him to turn himself in for the crime — and to stanch the dishonor that he had done to his family’s name.Would Luigi Mangione’s wealthy and well-connected Maryland family have done the same if they recognized his distinctive eyebrows? “Come home, son,” followed by, “You must turn yourself in to the authorities and be held accountable.” There’s no evidence they did anything of the kind. If they had, would Luigi have complied? I doubt it.Fathers and mothers of America: Do you think you and yours could do similarly? To ask that question is not to answer it easily.This Utah family has a quiet dignity to it. Their creed was not an assassin’s creed. Their kid is certainly a lost young man. He took a path outside of his family’s way, but his family retained a line of communication and influence over their prodigal son. They lost their son to dark, demonic forces, but appealed to the light remaining in him and brought him home and to justice.What this family confronted deserves to be noticed, praised, and modeled. Our country was given clarity in real time. We very rarely get that. This young man did not come in lawyered up and with his phone locked and encrypted.RELATED: Here's what we know about Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk Photo by Office of the Governor of Utah via Getty ImagesA reeling nation did not have to suffer the indignity of mushroom management, where “We the People” are kept in the legalese dark and fed legalese doggerel.Every family that has successfully raised a good kid to adulthood knows how hard it is in our present educational, cultural, and social media bathhouses.A family in need of prayerA family can hold a line, and a kid can transgress it. Once upon a time, the family had educational and cultural support systems that checked transgression and bolstered parents and kids. Kids heard a shared common and civilized creed in and outside the house. That cord has been cut for a while, and our families and nation are suffering at scale because of it.This family summoned their prodigal son home. While we rightfully think of their son as a moral monster, they still had a familial claim and power over him. And with it, they brought him home and then to justice.This family gave another grieving family and a nation the closure it needed. We owe them our thanks and compassion for displaying moral courage when it counted. The sins of their son are not theirs. They ought to be seen by the nation as neighbors in good standing. They need and deserve our parental prayers.Under present grooming circumstances, there but for the grace of God go all of us.Editor’s note: This article was originally published by RealClearPolitics and made available via RealClearWire.

Over the weekend, country music star Zach Bryan posted a song clip to his Instagram with the caption "the fading of the red white and blue." Since then, Bryan has faced a wave of backlash over some of his apparently "anti-ICE" lyrics, but one of the best responses came from the Department of Homeland Security. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security's X account posted a compilation video of law enforcement with one of Zach Bryan's more famous songs playing over it. 'When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle.'The caption of the post reads, "We’re having an All Night Revival."The video depicts several scenes of arrests by law enforcement, riot control, and even a clip of the commander at large of the U.S. Border Patrol, Chief Gregory Bovino, who recently allegedly he had a murder hit put on his head by a Latin Kings gang member.RELATED: Country singer Zach Bryan gets nailed with backlash over anti-ICE song Photo by James Smith/Sam Snap/Getty ImagesZach Bryan's song "Revival" plays over the DHS video. "Revival" has over 390 million plays on Spotify and is among Bryan's top 10 songs.The lyrics from the new melancholy song clip mention ICE while suggesting the slow decline of America. "ICE is gonna come bust down your door," it reads. "Try to build a house / no one builds no more."The lyrics end, "Got some bad news / the fading of the red, white, and blue.”Hours after the DHS video dropped on Tuesday, Bryan posted an explanation on his Instagram story: "To all those disappointed in me on either side of whatever you believe in just know I'm trying my best too and we all say things that are misconstrued sometimes." He suggested that there is more context in the full song: "When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle." He has not given any indication of the planned timing for the song's release. Blaze News made multiple attempts to contact Zach Bryan and his management team for comment but was ultimately unsuccessful. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

[caption id="attachment_154007" align="alignright" width="260"] George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Washington, D.C., 1964 (YouTube screen shot)[/caption] No one else sings like John Lennon, who may have been the possessor The post 15 Dynamic, Surprising and Quintessential John Lennon Beatles Vocals appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

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RICHMOND, VA — In a stunning display of moral clarity, Virginia Attorney General nominee Jay Jones has taken a courageous stand in defense of his recently unearthed tweets, which some pearl-clutching critics have labeled “vile.” The tweets, which casually wished death upon a political opponent, their spouse, and their “little fascist kids,” have sparked a firestorm of controversy. But Jones, ever the unifier, has issued a powerful statement that’s rallying Democrats across the Commonwealth—and beyond. “Wishing the death of your opponent, their wife, and their little fascist kids is acceptable because I did not wish their dog to be killed,” Jones declared in a statement that left political pundits and pet owners alike nodding in solemn approval. “I mean, come on, I’m not a monster. Dogs are family. Kids? Eh, depends on their voting record.” The statement, hailed as a masterclass in ethical nuance, has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, with leaders rushing to microphones to praise Jones’ restraint. On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough led the charge, his voice trembling with reverence. “This man is a true Democrat leader who merits the votes of Virginians,” Scarborough proclaimed, pausing to adjust his glasses for dramatic effect. “Killing someone’s pet just crosses the line of civility. Jay gets it. He gets America.” Co-host Mika Brzezinski, visibly moved, wiped away a tear of joy as the panel murmured in agreement. “It’s about values,” Mika added, her voice cracking. “Jay’s tweets show he’s tough on fascism but soft on puppies. That’s the kind of leadership Virginia needs.” The controversy erupted when a series of Jones’ old tweets resurfaced, including gems like, “I hope [opponent’s name] and his whole family choke on their MAGA hats,” and “Those kids are probably future Proud Boys, so, y’know, good riddance.” But it was the absence of any canine-related malice that has won over Virginia voters—particularly those without children but with an abundance of pets. “I was on the fence about Jay,” said Richmond voter and proud cat mom Karen Fluffelstein, cradling her tabby, Mr. Whiskers. “But when I heard he spared dogs in his death wishes, I knew he was my guy. My cats and I are ready to canvass for him. Kids, though? They’re just tiny landlords waiting to happen.” Political analysts are calling Jones’ stance a game-changer in the Virginia AG race. “This is a masterstroke,” said CNN’s resident strategist, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid being associated with any non-pet-related death threats. “Jones has tapped into the heart of the Democratic base: people who love their pets more than their neighbors. It’s a bold move, and it’s working.” Not everyone is on board, however. A small but vocal group of Virginians—mostly parents—have expressed concern about Jones’ rhetoric. “I’m fine with him hating my candidate,” said local dad Greg Thompson, nervously clutching his toddler’s hand. “But the ‘little fascist kids’ bit? That’s my Timmy he’s talking about! Timmy’s not a fascist—he just likes dinosaurs and juice boxes!” Jones’ campaign was quick to clarify. “Jay loves dinosaurs,” a spokesperson said. “And he’d never wish harm on a juice box. But if Timmy grows up to vote red, well, that’s on Greg.” As Election Day approaches, Virginia voters are energized, particularly those with fur babies and an aversion to human offspring. Campaign signs reading “Jay Jones: Tough on Tots, Tender on Terriers” have popped up across the state, and yard signs featuring paw prints and crossed-out stick-figure children are selling out faster than artisanal dog treats. At a recent rally, Jones doubled down, addressing a crowd of cheering supporters and their leashed companions. “I stand by my tweets,” he bellowed, as a golden retriever barked in approval. “We’re building a Virginia where every dog gets a bone, every cat gets a laser pointer, and every political opponent… well, let’s just say they better watch their step. But not their pets! Never their pets!” The crowd erupted, with chants of “Save the Schnauzers!” drowning out the occasional protester clutching a stroller. As the sun set over Richmond, one thing was clear: Jay Jones has redefined civility in politics. And in Virginia, that means keeping your death threats pet-free. The post Jay ‘It’s Okay to Kill Kids of Political Enemies’ Jones Draws Line at Dog Murder appeared first on Genesius Times.