“Unsilent” Thoughts

Today, we gather in remembrance and reflection. Our focus needs to be on Charlie Kirk and September 11th today. September has, for too many years now, become a month shadowed by darkness—by tragedy, by loss, by sacrifice. But it also remains a month that calls us to remember what’s truly worth fighting for. And so, I want to start with the sacred obligation we all have—to remember. To honor those who paid the ultimate price for liberty and for truth.

You see, nearly twenty-four years ago — on September 11, 2001 — our nation awoke to a nightmare. Almost 3,000 lives lost in an instant. Mothers, fathers, children, siblings—innocence shattered by terrorism. That day, evil came knocking at our door in a way we never saw coming, and it challenged everything we believed about our safety, our strength, and our values.

Ben Shapiro often emphasizes that facts matter, and the facts are clear: 9/11 was an attack on the very idea of America. It was an attack on our freedom, our faith, and our identity. And the response—what we did in the days, months, years afterwards—defined us. If you’re old enough to remember that morning, then you know exactly where you were, what you felt, what you saw. That moment etched itself into our collective consciousness, into our national soul.

The Reality of Evil

Ben Shapiro often reminds us, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” And the fact is, 9/11 was a brutal, unambiguous reminder: evil exists in this world. Evil that doesn’t play by rules. Evil that treasures chaos, destruction, and death. It’s easy to forget, in the comfort of today’s routines—easy to become complacent—that evil is active, that it still walks among us.

That day, those terrible, tragic hours, shattered the illusion that safety was guaranteed, that the innocence of our lives was inviolable. We saw a nation under attack, a pillar of civilization assaulted by shadowy enemies who despise everything America stands for.

Remembering the Heroes

But amidst that darkness, there is a story of heroism—an enduring story of courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable American spirit.

First responders rushing into the danger, ignoring their own safety to save others. Firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel—some paying the ultimate price, some risking everything—and civilians who jumped into chaos, risking their lives to help complete strangers.

We owe those heroes a debt that cannot be repaid. Their bravery is etched into our history, and their sacrifice exemplifies what it means to serve something greater than oneself.

I think back to the stories of rescue workers, some of whom lost their lives racing up stairwells—knowing full well they might not come out alive. Their courage is a testament to the resilience and dignity that define America at its best.

The Attack on Our Identity

Matt Walsh reminds us that truth matters—absolute truth, moral clarity.

And the truth is: 9/11 was not just an attack on buildings or infrastructure. It was an attack on our very identity—our values of liberty, faith, and democracy.

Those terrorists targeted the symbols of American strength—the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the courage of our people. They hoped to break our spirit, to make us cower.

But instead, it awakened something in us. A resilience that refused to be beaten. A resolve rooted in the very ideals these cowards despise. They sought to strike at the heart of what makes America unique—the idea that all men are created equal, that freedom is worth fighting for, that faith and hope endure even in the darkest hours.

Remembering Our Moral Foundations

Michael Knowles often speaks of remembering what is good and true.

And so we remember that, despite the pain and tragedy, we stood stronger. We came together. We celebrated heroism, resilience, and unity. We mourned, but we also recommitted to the principles that built this nation.

The event has become a symbol—a reminder that freedom is precious, and that liberty requires constant vigilance. That our faith, our love of country, our unwavering commitment to truth are what keep us resilient.

It was a day that revealed both our vulnerability and our strength. We grieved the loss, yes. But we also honored those who gave everything—to defend liberty, to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Honoring the Fallen and the Spirit of America

Today, we honor them. We honor the fallen—those who sacrificed everything, and their families, whose grief endures.

We must keep their memories alive—not just in words, but in our actions. Because if we forget, if we grow complacent or unfaithful to the principles that cost so much, then evil truly wins.

These sacrifices remind us of what’s at stake: freedom is never free. The fight for it is ongoing.

It’s about more than remembering; it’s about renewal. About waking up every day with resolve.

Call to Vigilance

Let’s remember that evil is persistent. Its tactics evolve, but its hatred remains the same. We must remain vigilant. We cannot afford to be lulled into complacency. Evil does not sleep, and it feeds on our apathy. The enemies of freedom are still out there, plotting, waiting. They want to see us back down. They want us to forget what happened, forget who we are, forget what we stand for.

But we must not let that happen. We must be vigilant, not only in memory but in action. Because defending freedom is a daily responsibility. It’s in the way we raise our children, how we speak out against tyranny, and how we stand firm against those who seek to silence us.

The sacrifices of those we remember today serve as a blueprint—a reminder that courage, faith, and resilience are what will carry us through. It’s about keeping alive the ideals that made America great, even in the face of modern threats.

The Moral Responsibility of Remembrance

Remembering 9/11 is not just about reliving a tragedy. It’s about recognizing our moral responsibility to defend the core values—the principles that make us who we are.

Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to speak your mind without fear. The importance of faith—faith in God, in country, in each other. These are not just words—they are the foundation of our liberty.

And they are under attack.

Today, I urge everyone listening—hold fast to those principles. Pass the torch of liberty to the next generation. Teach them the stories of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience. Let them know what it truly means to be free.

Personal Reflections and the American Spirit

For many of us, 9/11 changed forever how we see the world. It made us realize that freedom is fragile. That evil lurks in shadows, waiting. And what’s most important—what must never be forgotten—is that the strength of our nation lies in our unity, our faith, and our unwavering commitment to justice and truth.

I think about the countless families who lost loved ones that day—parents, children, friends—all gone too soon. Their lives remind us that the fight for freedom is also a fight for justice. That sacrifice must never be dismissed as mere history, but carried in our hearts as a calling to do better, to be vigilant, to fight evil wherever it rears its head.

The Power of Unity and Faith

In the aftermath of that tragedy, America came together. Churches filled with prayer. Communities mobilized. Flags were flown high. We witnessed a nation united by grief, by hope, by a shared resolve: to stand tall and defend what’s right.

That unity—though tested over the years—is something we must rekindle. We are strongest when we act together, rooted in faith, anchored in morality.

The terrorists sought to divide us—divide us by faith, by race, by ideology. But our response must always be clear: We stand together as Americans, united by our shared values, our love for freedom, our unwavering belief in the goodness of this country.

A Call to Action—Honoring Their Sacrifice Daily

Today is a day of remembrance, yes—but also a day of action. We honor those who gave everything by recommitting ourselves to the cause they believed in—America’s enduring ideals.

And that means standing up against evil in every form. Supporting institutions that uphold truth, defending the innocent, speaking out against tyranny, and preserving our faith. It means living out courage in our daily lives—being examples of integrity, faith, and resilience.

Because the fight for freedom—and the fight against evil—doesn’t end with remembrance. It begins anew each day.

But I want to shift from remembering that day as history to something even more urgent today. Because the world has not become a safer place. Evil still lurks, and so do the enemies of truth and freedom. That’s why we cannot—the very concept of our civilization cannot—be complacent. And that’s what makes what happened just two days ago so tragic—and so necessary for us to discuss.

I want to tell you about someone whose life and death have shaken me to my core—Charlie Kirk. A man of conviction, strength, and unwavering commitment to the truth. The headlines, the stories—an assassination. An act of violence that many of us feel deeply as if it’s not just an attack on one man, but an attack on everything that’s good and true.

And I’ll be honest: I’ve felt more shock from this recent event than I did on 9/11. More than I did during attempts to silence President Trump. Why? Because this strikes at the heart of our freedom—the fundamental right to speak, to debate, to challenge the status quo without fear of violence. Charlie wasn’t just a voice; he was a beacon, a symbol of what America can be—a land where truth still matters.

I wish I had known him personally. That’s the honest truth. Because here was a man—someone I admired—who embodied strength I can only aspire to. I had often thought about starting my own podcast, sharing my voice on the issues that shape our country. But I was content, for a long time, listening to giants—like Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles, Brett Cooper—figures who fought relentlessly to defend what is right.

Now? I can’t stay silent. Not anymore. I will not be silenced.

Because this is a wake-up call. A Shot heard around the world. We have to carry Charlie’s message forward—impact the next generation, inspire them to stand tall, to think independently, and to be involved in defending this republic.

Right now, I am overwhelmed—I’m angry, hurt, and deeply disturbed. But I also know—deep down—that anger is a tool that must be tempered. Rage can cloud judgment; it can distract us from what truly matters. Greg Gutfeld said it best: “You woke us the f*** up.” Ben Shapiro remarked—well, with a much more colorful language—about how the radical left’s actions have forced us to wake up. But what do we do with this awakening? We channel it into action.

Because true conservatism, true strength, has always been rooted in moral clarity, conviction, and faith. Charlie Kirk exemplified this—fighting relentlessly for the First Amendment, for free speech, for the power of ideas. That’s what they wanted to destroy. They wanted to silence the truth.

And that’s why it’s not just an attack on Charlie—an individual. It’s an attack on all of us. On our right to think freely, to debate openly, to speak our minds without fear. It’s a direct assault on the foundation of our liberty, built by men who fought and died for freedom.

How anyone could celebrate or rejoice in this act of violence—I honestly don’t understand that. I cannot comprehend how some find joy in the murder of a man who dedicated his life to truth, to faith, and to the awakening of the American soul. That’s not a political disagreement. That’s evil incarnate.

And let me be clear: the man who pulled the trigger—who committed this act of monstrous violence—did not just silence Charlie. He robbed a family—his wife, his children, his mother—of a husband and father who believed in something greater. That’s the real tragedy. That’s the dark heart of this evil.

How can anyone rejoice at the loss of a life? How can anyone celebrate death—especially when it’s a man who dedicated himself to uplifting others, to sharing truth, to defending what is good and pure? That reveals where the real shame lies. It reveals the depths of the spiritual and moral abyss that some have fallen into.

If you follow a party that celebrates such atrocities—if you cheer violent chaos—you’ve lost your soul. Because this isn’t just about politics anymore. It’s about the nature of evil and whether we have the moral clarity to stand against it.

Charlie Kirk was not just a conservative voice; he was a revolutionary—like the founders who fought daunting odds to create a nation grounded on truths rooted in faith, reason, and liberty. I am nearly fifteen years older than Charlie, but I looked up to him profoundly. He was smarter, braver, and more steadfast than many of us will ever be.

He leaned into his faith—used it as a shield, as a guide. Because faith gives purpose. Faith makes us honest. Faith keeps us grounded in truth. Watching him over the years, I saw a man who believed passionately in the spiritual foundation of America. His life was a testament that you cannot separate truth from faith—that you cannot defend liberty without moral and spiritual backbone.

His death—no, his sacrifice—reminds us that the fight for truth and freedom is ongoing. That the values we hold dear require sacrifice. That evil lurks, but that good, when rooted in faith and conviction, can still triumph.

So, I urge everyone listening today—don’t let this be just a moment of mourning. Let it be a rallying cry. Let’s carry Charlie’s torch forward. Let’s teach our children about the importance of standing for truth—about the need for moral clarity, about the power of faith.

Because, if we grow silent, if we let evil succeed—if we allow ourselves to be cowed by fear or outrage—then evil wins. And evil has already taken too much from us. It’s taken too many lives. It’s taken our sense of innocence and security.

But we can fight back. And the way to fight back is rooted in what Charlie believed—truth, faith, and courage. Courage in speaking out; courage in standing firm; courage in believing in something bigger than ourselves.

We are called, today and every day, to stand tall. To speak loudly. To live with integrity. Because in that integrity, we find the strength to carry on, even when the darkness tries to engulf us.

And I say to you: Too long I have been silent. Too long, I have let fear, complacency, and hesitation drown out my voice. But no more. Today, I declare—I am un-silenced. I will refuse to hide. I will raise my voice for truth, for faith, for love of country. Because the sacrifice of Charlie and countless others demands it.

The silence we once hid in only empowered the darkness. But I refuse to be complicit in that silence any longer. I will speak fiercely and unapologetically. I will carry his legacy—his fight—forward.

Because if we don’t, who will? If we stay silent now, then evil wins by default. And I refuse to let that happen.

Let this be a reminder—remember the fallen. Honor their sacrifice. And recommit ourselves to the principles that made this nation great. The principles that Charlie Kirk fought for—truth, freedom, faith, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

We are the heirs of that legacy. It’s time to step up. It’s time to speak the truth. Because standing silent, standing still, is no longer an option.

We will carry the torch forward. We will honor Charlie’s memory by living every day in the fight for what is right. And together, we will face the darkness—not with despair, but with faith, with courage, and with unyielding resolve.

Because in the end, that’s what true Americans do. That’s what true patriots do. I will no longer be silent…I have become, un-silenced.

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