Thankful for moral clarity in the face of social media’s ugliness 

We often talk about courage in politics how it s shown in strategy fights vote battles or legislative victories But real political courage nowadays looks different It s about challenging the opposition and holding your side accountable when it counts the greater part In Minnesota we ve witnessed an unimaginable tragedy state House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered and state Sen John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were wounded in an assassination attempt While multiple paused to grieve others disturbingly rushed to exploit the moment for political gain That s unacceptable At a time when it would be easier and politically safer to stay silent or deflect blame a meager voices rose above the noise State Rep Harry Niska R-Ramsey stood up and noted what needed to be disclosed Gov Tim Walz was not responsible for the actions of a deranged individual I have criticized and will continue to criticize the policies and rhetoric of Gov Walz But there is no responsible basis to attribute to him any of the evil acts committed by the alleged shooter wrote Niska He didn t equivocate He notified the truth It was the definition of leadership When U S Sen Mike Lee posted a juvenile opportunistic comment Nightmare on Waltz Street Niska stepped up again and called it out Related Mike Lee s social media posts about the Minnesota shootings incensed other senators They refused to let it go State Rep Nolan West R-Blaine did the same writing Just sad If we can t muster humanity and humility at a time like this we are doomed That wasn t political theater from West it was the voice of moral clarity trying to drown out the loud ugliness on social media Sadly social media incentivizes provocation over principle It s easier to go viral for outrage than for empathy But truth and decency should never be optional especially when tragedy strikes It s easy to criticize the opposing party point fingers at the media or chase narratives that confirm our biases But the real challenge the real need is to look inward We should call out misinformation and dangerous rhetoric from all sides not because others demand it but because it s the right thing to do State Rep Mary Franson R-Alexandria wrote bluntly Humans were murdered Humans are recovering Humans are grieving Real people are affected Don t use your social media platform to profit off this tragedy That is what humanity at an inhumane time sounds like What happened in Minnesota was horrific but how we respond to it will define us Do we inflame division or lead with empathy and truth Specific have chosen the latter and they deserve to be recognized Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka gave Minnesotans a path to healing writing We must overcome evil with good We must choose to make right decisions when others choose wrong decisions Being part of a political party shouldn t mean ignoring our own Integrity matters truth matters and accountability starts at home Republicans can and must lead on this Let s stop rewarding outrage with silence and show that character still counts and that truth isn t a partisan issue Because if we can t speak honestly in the face of tragedy we ve already lost something far greater than a political fight we ve lost our way State Sen Zach Duckworth R-Lakeville posted on social media a picture of himself sitting with his colleague Sen Hoffman in the Minnesota Senate sharing a laugh The photo posted by Duckworth was heartbreaking because Hoffman was clinging to life in a hospital along with his wife The photo alone carried deep emotional weight but Duckworth s words truly elevated the moment Empathy isn t weakness Civility isn t surrender Blame isn t healing The past isn t an excuse We can find common ground among disagreement We can be united by a sense of duty amenity decency if we choose It s workable the future is ours to write our kids are watching Duckworth shares a powerful message in just a meager simple words reminding us of the importance of compassion respect accountability and personal responsibility His word choice was perfect What really strikes a chord is his genuine authenticity In a moment that could easily have turned overly political and self-centered he chose to be sincere and bring people together His heartfelt words showcase a type of leadership that communicates not through loud rhetoric but through genuine integrity Duckworth s words carry the kind of quiet power that could endure well beyond this moment lines that may be remembered alongside those of poets and politicians who urged unity and grace in times of division Like the best citizens language his message deserves to be recalled quoted and passed on as a reminder that decency and shared humanity are constantly worth fighting for In a moment defined by heartbreak and noise the leaders who chose empathy over outrage truth over spin and unity over division have reminded us of what inhabitants operation should look like Their words and actions grounded in decency and courage cut through the chaos and offer a roadmap If we are to honor those affected by this tragedy we must remember the lessons of this moment and carry them with us Healing doesn t come from more blame or bitterness it comes from choosing every day to lead with principle even when it s hard especially when it s hard Michael Brodkorb is the former deputy chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota He is an author communications strategist and podcaster He lives in Eagan The post Thankful for moral clarity in the face of social media s ugliness appeared first on MinnPost