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Before diving into this week’s issue, I want to express my heartfelt condolences and prayers for Charlie Kirk’s family—his wife, Erika, and his two kids. Charlie was a remarkable American, a devoted patriot, and at his core, a loving father and husband. His absence is deeply felt.
Rest in peace, Charlie.
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Recent footage from a stabbing incident in Charlotte has sparked a lot of questions regarding bystander responsibility in emergencies.
The full video (Warning: it’s quite distressing and graphic) illustrates a horrifying moment involving former convict DeCarlos Brown Jr. attacking Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train. What stands out, besides the brutality of the act, is the apparent inaction of several nearby passengers who opted not to assist.(Suspect in the stabbing incident in Charlotte made shocking comments following a brutal attack.
It’s easy to sit back and say, “I would have intervened.” But the fact is, many simply didn’t.
As Zarutska sat there visibly shaken and bleeding, fellow passengers appeared more interested in distancing themselves from the chaos than in helping her.
What happened to the instinct to aid someone in distress? Why did it take so long for anybody to step in?
Eventually, a man did intervene, tearing off his shirt to help staunch the bleeding. He’s the one who should be seen as a good Samaritan, but the rest of the onlookers, or, rather, their lack of action, reveals a troubling trend of indifference or fear in moments like these. It took more than a minute for anyone to do anything.
Shock likely played a role in this hesitation, impacting those who might have otherwise rushed to assist. There’s also that natural fear for one’s safety in violent encounters. Maybe others thought the danger was simply too great to justify any intervention. It’s possible, for sure.
However, that doesn’t excuse passivity, especially knowing that life-saving actions could be taken once the attacker fled.
Perhaps this unsettling event should stir some reflection—not just on personal responsibility, but also on societal norms that can discourage intervening.
Are we fostering a culture where bystanders act like spectators during crises? How we answer that question can influence how we equip ourselves as individuals and as a society to face emergencies. This incident isn’t merely a tragic anomaly; it’s a broader critique of social passivity.(Charlotte City Council faced backlash after the murder of Iryna Zarutska)
The stabbing incident in Charlotte serves as a sobering reminder that heroism doesn’t always require extraordinary acts. Sometimes, it’s as simple as finding the courage to stand up and ask, “Are you okay?” Which, frankly, can be crucial.
What’s cooking: Costco, a rite of passage
Last Sunday, my wife and I went to Costco for the first time, just the two of us.
Going to Costco (without parents) feels like an American rite of passage—right up there with getting a driver’s license, turning 21, and celebrating your first legal drink at a bar.
It’s kind of nostalgic, but in a good way.
And you realize, when you start worrying about buying in bulk, you’ve hit that milestone—where saving money is more satisfying than buying a lot of snacks. Plus, we treated our Costco trip as a fun outing.
More seasoned Costco shoppers, however, know not to venture in right before the kickoff of an NFL game on Sundays. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that wisdom. The place was a complete zoo.
Navigating through gigantic carts in jam-packed aisles was a bit overwhelming. Kids were racing around, probably on the hunt for mini muffin samples.
Experienced shoppers also know that having a plan and a list is vital. We, on the other hand, relied solely on our hunger.
The end result? A cart filled with more snack foods than practical items like toilet paper or paper towels.
Still, I think we enjoyed it. For the first time, grocery shopping felt somewhat enjoyable. Of course, sharing it with my wife made it better. But I have to say, that Costco hot dog after all that shopping really hit the spot. So much so that I nearly got into a fender bender trying to leave the parking lot.
Maybe it was the crowded aisles or just my own distraction.
Who knows?
But hey, now we’re cooking!
