I mean, we say it all the time when we hear of someone passing. Even more when someone dies at the hands of a violent event. And of course, in this case I’m talking about Charlie Kirk. I could also be talking about the young woman murdered on the train or the kids killed in the recent school shooting in Evergreen, Colorado, which were also horrific, violent events.

But in the latter two, for the most part, those victims were left to rest in peace. However difficult resting in peace may be for the victims given how they died.

Then again, there was no political advantage to be exploited. Not that our two big parties didn’t try. They did as they always do. After all, one party lives by the slogan: Never let a crisis go to waste. And the other party lives the same way; they just don’t have the slogan.

Frankly, I find the behavior revolting in both parties.

And yes, I find school shootings revolting. I find senseless (there is no sensible) murder on trains, or anywhere, revolting. I find all violence in all forms revolting. And when politicians can’t get in front of a microphone or camera fast enough to push a political agenda over the still warm bodies and families barely going from shock to grief, I can’t describe the righteous anger I feel.

But welcome to politics in the 21st Century. Oh, how I wish it would go to its grave. And I don’t care how it rests. Just as long as it dies.

Knowing this, you might ask what makes the actions around Charlie’s murder more reprehensible. The answer is simple: The Republicans took political posturing to another level with Charlie. And the hypocrisy about Charlie’s memorial exponentially drove my reaction.

Let’s begin with the obvious. Anyone remember Paul Wellstone? I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t. He was a milquetoast, U.S. senator from Minnesota who wasn’t murdered, he just died in a plane crash. But that was enough for the democrats to create the Wellstone memorial service which had all the agenda-driven emotional diatribes of the party’s annual trek to Ebenezer Baptist Church. At least at the Atlanta Church there’s a real (if not ironic) reason to go, to speak out against democrat policies of slavery, Jim Crow and segregation.

I’ve yet found a reason for Wellstone’s “martyrdom.” Except political expediency.

Which brings us back to Charlie and President Trump’s almost entire cabinet delivering eulogies at Kirk’s memorial. With apologies to some Republican readers who indeed look at life and live their lives as Charlie did, your favorite party did the same darned things the democrats did with Wellstone. And they did it to co-opt his mission and for votes. Which makes it even worse.

See, democrats always preach to the choir at church or memorials. Let’s face it, democrats rarely are heard by anyone other than like thinkers every time they bloviate. Sure, Republicans might listen in, if only to know what craziness the party and its candidates have to address when the progressive press grills them the next day.

This time, however, Republicans were literally preaching to a choir. A choir of millions who were endeared to and loved Charlie and how he carried out his message. His mission, which is the better word to describe it.

But Charlie’s message wasn’t the Republican agenda, no matter how much it may have matched parts of it and certainly not for how much the Republicans are now trying to make it their own. How do I know these two things don’t mesh? One message, Charlie’s, was offered in love, sympathy and conversation, and the other, the Republican’s, is delivered by force no matter how loving, sympathetic and conversational the party tries to make it. It’s the only way government can deliver anything.

Seeing the millions of followers Charlie had, the Republican party did the only thing it could do, take over the “memorial” and make it a campaign rally. Now you may say the speeches weren’t overly political. Which means they were political, just with a softer delivery. Political entities don’t know many tricks, and the ones they do know, they do religiously. And the Republicans should have passed on this one.

There was a reason Charlie was so popular, and it wasn’t because he (probably) voted Republican. He spoke truth. More important, he communicated in the Truth. The words and teachings of Jesus Christ. Now, I know democrats and progressives will take their snippets and talking points to exploit things out of context when it comes to Charlie. Honestly, that doesn’t bother me. After all, the progressives of Jesus’ day did the same thing. I find that interesting.

Go ahead. Listen to one of Charlie’s campus events or an interview from start to finish. Then tell me who he sounds more like. Jesus or your favorite Republican. And yes, I know comparisons to Christ aren’t fair and can lead down a dangerous path. But as a follower of The Way myself, I’m commanded to be more like Jesus every day. You know by who? That’s right, Jesus himself. If you didn’t see that in Charlie, I can’t help you.

I didn’t worship the man, however. But I sure loved, admired and adored him.

No wonder the Republicans wanted to co-opt his mission.

In Truth and freedom.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com