Since I wrote my last blog on the possible reasons why President Biden appeared to resist his own party’s desire for him to not represent the Democratic party in the upcoming presidential election, he has withdrawn from the race. Biden fought the idea that he was not capable of governing the country another year, but finally gave in to political pressure, a decision most commentators believe was a wise one. Given his strong desire to stay in the game, and serve the country another four years, I am quite sure President Biden agonized over his decision to abandon his candidacy. But to his credit he withdrew and, his departure from the presidential race provided many of us, especially those that are Democrats, with a breath of fresh air.
The bravery displayed by Cory Comperature, when he shielded both his wife and daughter from the gunshots fired at a Trump rally, deserves an even greater breath of fresh air. Sadly, this courageous act by Mr. Comperature resulted in his death. Comperature had been a former fire chief and was described by those who knew him as a local leader and a veteran. Cory’s wife told Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro, to publicly share that her husband “died a hero” in protecting her and his daughter from very possibly being the victims of shots that were fired at Trump.
Mr. Comperature’s death need remind us that there is no place for hatred that leads to causeless deaths of good people. Let both the Democratic and Republican parties sheathe their hate and, at least, accept those of us who are not in agreement about which presidential candidate they support. In contrast, in the past Mr. Trump has acted as a catalyst in supporting what became an uprising on January 6th, 2024. Trump’s reaction to Biden stepping down from his presidential bid did not serve him nor the American people well when he said: “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President and is certainly not fit to serve—and never was.” Trump continued by going on a typical rant by declaring that Biden had only attained the position of President by lies and Fake News.
Those who knew Cory Comperature described him as a caring man who very much loved his family. Let us keep that in mind with people we either know or don’t know that think differently than we do. We need not condemn them for their political positions but, at least, listen to what they have to offer. This kind of temperament would allow for opinions opposite of ours and reduce the likelihood of extremism fostered by hate, the real weapon that murdered Cory Comperature.
Dr. Bernard F. Natelson 