A MAN'S LIFE TERMINATED, A MAN'S LIVELIHOOD SUSPENDED

A MAN'S LIFE TERMINATED, A MAN'S LIVELIHOOD SUSPENDED

By Andy Weddington

Thursday, 18 September 2025

It is often a strategic mistake to silence a man, because it leaves the world under the impression that he had something to say.  - G. K. Chesterton

A kind reader of this forum sent me a note of praise following yesterday's commentary. They closed with, "Keep 'walking!'". 

I am supposed to be working on a painting, a rather challenging commission, but am distracted.

Two walks so far today. 

This ... 

Charlie Kirk, a week ago on a college campus in Utah exercising his right to speak freely, was assassinated. Charlie was 31. 

Jimmy Kimmel, not a week later on a tv show stage exercising his right to speak freely, was indefinitely suspended. Jimmy is 57. 

There's been anger and outrage since Charlie's murder. No violent mobs destroying public and private property nor burning down cities. The emotion continues to be vented, peacefully, through remembrances, tributes, and vigils. 

There's been anger and outrage since the announcement of Jimmy's suspension. Violent mobs destroying public and private property and burning down cities would not come as surprise. My prayer is their emotion likewise be vented peacefully.

Free speech is codified in the First Amendment of the Constitution. 

It is vital to being human. 

It is critical to being American. 

In short, say what's on your mind.

Said speech is not restrained to truth and falsehood.

For speaking either, as with everything in life, there is consequence. 

Charlie Kirk spoke truth. He delivered logical, understandable positions rooted in America's founding papers and the Holy Bible. 

He was masterful in offering, debating, and defending his words. 

The enormous world-wide following he built, of humans hungry for truth and substance and strength, testament to his effectiveness. 

That is, his global audience ratings well beyond the reach of many in the tv business struggling to attract and hold on to viewers.  

Jimmy Kimmel is unknown to me. 

I barely know his name. 

No idea who he is, what he stands for, nor his mission in life. 

I have no idea if he was any good on stage; presumably he is otherwise he'd not be a frontman. 

That alone says much.

Days ago on stage he spoke about the murder of Charlie Kirk. 

Specifically, and at best, he spoke half-truths (and that is being kind) about the assassin.

He lied. 

Understandably, the egregiousness of his lie(s) stoked those still deep in grief. Others, too; decent people. 

With them, power. 

Suspension.

Lying is free speech. 

However, with free speech, as with any right, comes responsibilities comes consequences. 

Consequences not necessarily within law but consequences necessary to safeguard and preserve good order and civility.

Some allege President Trump and his administration silenced Jimmy Kimmel. 

No.

The decent people of America, through the power of pocketbook$ - the "bread" trail, momentarily removed the tv talker.

Charlie Kirk was murdered by an angry, disturbed stranger nearly ten years his junior, for exercising his First Amendment right.

Jimmy Kimmel was suspended from talking on tv, by an angry cohort (size unknown but enormous) of alls ages, for exercising his First Amendment right. 

If believing there's any basis for debating the two situations, that's your right to say.

Most people are way smarter than that. 

In closing, 

Charlie Kirk was silenced; but not really. 

Jimmy Kimmel was not silenced but suspended; he still speaks, and might again on air. 

Jimmy Kimmel will never realize the mind-boggling scope of name recognition Charlie Kirk enjoyed. 

Charlie Kirk's name recognition? 

Before death, global. 

After death, celestial. 

A tsunami, of truth, is coming.

By then maybe Jimmy Kimmel will be back on air - to truthfully cover the devastating wave wiping out evil.