Southern Progressives

Moving to the left, one post at a time.

Author

Bill Freeman
September 12, 2025

National News:

After Charlie Kirk’s Death, Voters Agree Something Is Wrong in US

In interviews from across the country, people expressed fear and wariness, and said that the country seemed to be spinning out of control.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/us/politics/charlie-kirk-voters-politics-violence.html?unlocked_article_code=1.lU8.Hmvh.Er4kuNSkwSVx&smid=url-share

Choose your America: In the aftermath of the Kirk slaying, a snapshot of a fractured nation

The governor of Utah struggled to find the right words to describe the question so many have been asking: What is happening in America?

apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-killing-america-divided-violence-politics-9b75c05301668fa033f9b4cc98b046c9?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

Strawberries in Winter

Most Americans do not want civil war. Anyone who is declaring it should stop.

www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/09/charlie-kirk-assassination-civil-war/684181/?gift=kv3__FYls2fxmm4Mh6G3fW1DAcVezu_0po9qezjrcvY&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

State News:

Stockard on the Stump: Tennessee House speaker wants “strike force” to hit Memphis gangs • Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton is calling for federal and state troops to be deployed to Memphis as a "strike force."

tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/12/stockard-on-the-stump-tennessee-house-speaker-wants-strike-force-to-hit-memphis-gangs

Rep. Vincent Dixie releases campaign ad in bid for Congress - Nashville Banner

Rep. Vincent Dixie's first campaign ad focuses on cleaning up Washington, protecting healthcare, and fighting against broken politics and rising prices.

nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/12/rep-vincent-dixie-special-election-ad

Tennessee GOP candidates launch ads with similar messages - Nashville Banner

Republican candidates in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District launch campaign ads aimed at positioning themselves as most aligned with President Donald Trump.

nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/12/tennessee-republican-campaign-ads-district-7

Local News:

Political Cartoon:

Seniors:

"America’s Reichstag fire"

Political violence remains rare, but leaders can help prevent tragedy by condemning hate and defending democratic values

open.substack.com/pub/gelliottmorris/p/americas-reichstag-moment?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

My Take:

In the past, when events like this shooting of Charlie Kirk would happen, our president would offer comfort to the country, saying things that would at least attempt to bring us back together as a country, we have no such thing in this president.

Trump’s Dangerous Response to the Kirk Assassination

Rather than condemning violence and calling for unity, the president of the United States accused his political opposition of being accessories to murder.

www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/09/kirk-assassination-trump-response/684175/?gift=kv3__FYls2fxmm4Mh6G3fbKBGMo1iabjrQiHSuXGols&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

We Didn't Start The Fire

Republicans Have Been Calling Democrats Socialists since 1996

open.substack.com/pub/thecycle/p/we-didnt-start-the-fire?r=2cuzj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Eight Books That Explain the South

The southern travelogue is a genre with a long history. These examples helped me write my own.

www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2022/02/american-south-books-du-bois-baldwin/621508/?gift=kv3__FYls2fxmm4Mh6G3fVm12vWObWg5UPJt9aes2Oc&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

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