American Exceptionalism Strikes in Minneapolis

We've all seen it too many times before. The disaffected loner consumed with hate, obsessed with firearms, and death finally boils over and commits an unspeakable crime against children who had nothing to do with his, or her miserable life. While it happens in other nations on rare occasions, in America it has become a tragic routine--a gruesome example of, American Exceptionalism.

This exceptionalism reared its horrific head again yesterday in Minneapolis, MN. Yes, another under the radar, lone wolf killer ran amok. As students aged pre K to 8th grade knelt in prayer at Annunciation Church, located next to their school which bears the same name, a lunatic opened fire through the windows. Two students were killed, 20 others, mostly students were wounded. The shooter then blew his, or in this case, her own diseased brain out in the parking lot.   

Robin (nee Robert) Westman identified as a female and at age 17, applied to a court to legally change her name. Her mother signed off on the request and it was granted. It is unclear if, besides the name change, ever took any other steps to facilitate the transition from male to female. Photos and videos of her don't appear to show any physical changes in her body. In addition, she retained a couple of traits usually reserved for young men who wallow in self-pity and anger. There was an all-consuming obsession with guns and a dark fascination with the perpetrators of mass shootings. She also had grown to hate--a lot. 

Some are pointing to her antisemitic rants, but the truth is she hated practically everybody. On that lengthy list were Jews, Catholics, African Americans, Donald J. Trump and others. Most of all it appears she hated herself. Yesterday, not long before opening fire in Minneapolis she published a string of videos on You Tube which highlighted her hate, not to mention her insanity. (One video is of her doing nothing but silently reading the manual that came with one of her weapons.)

Another featured her cache of guns, knives and ammunition. She had taken the time to write messages on some of the guns and many of the ammo magazines. One read, "Kill Trump," another, "six Million wasn't enough." On the barrel of one weapon was the name, "Brevik," which referred to Anders Brevik, the Norwegian mass murderer who killed 77 people in 2011. Another message on an ammo magazine read, "Where is your God now?" Then there was one, which pretty much summed up the nightmare at Annunciation Church yesterday. Westman wrote on the clip, "Well, you were here."

Never ones to miss an opportunity to attack the gay and trans community some on the far right immediately began posting on social media. Congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote, in part, "If they are willing to destroy themselves and how God made them then they are willing to destroy others, and we saw that today." Benny Johnson, a MAGA influencer with nearly 4 million followers on X posted, "One thing is VERY clear: the trans movement is radicalizing the mentally ill into becoming violent terrorists who target children for murder." 

Another ultra conservative pundit, Toni Lahren wrote, "To all those on the left and right who support red flag laws, would you concede transgender dysphoria is a red flag?" Then came my favorite, Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk posted, "If you are crazy enough to want to hormonally and surgically change your sex you have a mental disorder, and you are too crazy to own a firearm."

That's right America, while Robin Westman will always remain a a despicably cruel child killer, she accomplished something no grief-stricken parent of a murdered baby, or screaming liberal politician has ever been able to do. She has convinced some segments of the MAGA army that there is, in fact, a slice of the American population that, should never be allowed to buy and own a gun.   

Of course, we can presume those clowns are still fine with people like Adam Lanza, Dylann Roof, Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, and other equally infamous mass killers who aren't trans to own as many as they want. However, any crack in that red, pro-gun, wall, no matter how small, is worth noting. 

Hey, who knew that for some on the right edge, over the top homophobia trumps the previously sacrosanct second amendment? 

That doesn't mean they'll do anything about it though. We never do. It's why these horror shows keep happening over and over again. Yes, it is the severely deranged among us who commit these outrages. But it's our unwillingness to regulate guns, any type of guns, which enables them.   

And, until we do, there aren't enough National Guard troops, in the country to stop it or even slow it down.

8-28-25