The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump should be a wake-up call for everyone.  Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies should go out to all the victims of the attack.

            And, of course, it didn't take long for the conspiracy theorists to take to social media.  Everything from "it was a hit job" by the Republicans who won't let go of the hate to "it was staged" by the Democrats who won't let go of their hate.

            Then there are those on all sides, who are monitoring the news and awaiting the results of current and upcoming investigations – and there are several of those going on and scheduled.

            I prefer getting national and world news from several different sources including four print publications and three or more broadcast sources. Never from social media.

            But even after the assassination attempt, some mainstream media contributors and hosts couldn't resist the chance to make snarky comments and point fingers at everyone but the shooter.

            On Monday, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki called on the Republican National Committee to overhaul its planned programming for the upcoming convention to avoid "escalating" the country's rhetoric but she said nothing about the Democratic convention speakers scheduled for next month.

            Jacqueline Marsaw, a staffer for a Democratic congressman from Mississippi, was fired for posting on social media, "I don't condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don't miss next time ooops that wasn't me talking,"

            It was suggested by MSNBC host Joy Reid that former President Donald Trump bore the "consequences" of "promoting" violence.  There is plenty of "promoting violence" on all sides.  Shouldn't both sides be encouraged to stop Joy?

            Folks, the examples go on and on, too numerous to cite in this space.  Get your news from multiple sources (not social media) and make your own decisions.

            The basic gist of many of the comments was: he made a comment that I didn't agree with so I responded with a comment that could be taken the wrong way, so it's his fault for making the comment in the first place, and making me respond to it.  In simpler terms, what goes around comes around.

            Huh? 

            That can hold true for both sides and it must be stopped on both sides.

            William Penn once wrote, "Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its oppressors."

            Is hate winning? Or has it already won?