Things that scare me:
employment
unemployment
getting married
never getting married
having kids
never having kids
falling in love
never falling in love
living
dying
I say this as from the position of knowing of him but not following him deeply. Agreeing with some of his takes and disagreeing with others.
It does hit hard for a few reasons.
He wasn't a politician, he wasn't a figure in any real house of power.
He was influential definitely, hundreds of thousands if not millions followed him and listened to what he had to say but he did not hold the reigns of power like others that you may (unfortunately) expect to be targeted.
At the core of it he was a dude who just talked about his beliefs and talked to anyone whether they agreed or disagreed with him. From what I saw, he was a guy that would sit down and break bread with anyone if they were willing to have a real discussion.
And he was killed for it.
In broad daylight.
In front of millions.
for speaking his ideas.
It was a line that I believe most moderates, left and right, thought would not/could not be crossed in America.
unfortunately, all of the escalation I have born witness to over the years as an outside viewer of a wide range of media and general trends on all side of the political spectrum led me to the conclusion a while ago, that this particular line in the sand was inevitably going to be broken.
I am saddened but unfortunately not surprised that it has been.
What happens next is a big question.
I truly hope his family eventually finds peace