Hard Hitting Conservative Commentary by Gary M. Polland
Volume XXIV Number 10 – September 11, 2025
Rest in Peace, Charlie Kirk
MY THOUGHTS THIS MORNING
By Marc Cowart
TCR Managing Editor
I woke up this morning hoping it had been a horrible nightmare. But it wasn’t. The world has been robbed of a truly gifted and special person. I can’t believe Charlie is gone.
I met him but didn’t know him personally. I knew him from his online presence. From those amazing videos where he spoke the truth and stood up for his values (our values) in a way that none of us could. Every time Charlie Kirk debated someone, it was a Masterclass. It was beautiful. It was inspiring. It was like watching a skilled surgeon. He could dissect his opponent’s argument effortlessly, without dissecting the person. Not in a mean-spirited way, though. Not with hate or the vitriol that his opponents held for him. I believe that Charlie subscribed to that old adage, “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” I truly believe that Charlie Kirk had love in his heart for the people who hated him and that values he represented.
From the first time I met Charlie Kirk, I believed he would be President of the United States. As years went by and Charlie grew older and wiser and even more effective, I was even more convinced of that prediction. Now, that dream is gone. Charlie is gone. But we have beautiful memories of him. Let’s remember those. Let’s remember Charlie. And pray for his family and all of us who loved him. And pray for a healing on the sickness and hate that divides this country. It cost Charlie his life. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain. Be the change you want to see in the world. Remember Charlie.
CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: WHAT IS KNOWN SO FAR
By Marc Cowart
Managing Editor
Yesterday, on September 10, 2025, an assassin’s bullet struck conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in the neck and took his life at the young age of 31. The murder took place on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem Utah which is near Provo, Utah where Kirk was speaking. The assassin fled the scene and has not yet been apprehended. According to the FBI, the murder weapon was recovered and is described as a high power, bolt-action rifle. The FBI investigation, which is being conducted out of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office, said that a footprint had also been recovered. The shooter is described as “college aged”. Reports also indicate that the gun and ammunition contained pro-transgender” and “anti-fascism” type messages.
The FBI has released a photo of the alleged shooter.
When apprehended, charged and convicted, the shooter potentially faces the death penalty which is legal in Utah.
The FBI is asking for tips, photos, video, etc. to be submitted to https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/f4507712a3b2893
Following the event, several individuals were interviewed as “persons of interest” but were later released.
This morning, while speaking at a 9/11 Remembrance event, President Donald J. Trump announced that he will posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump said, “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and millions and millions of people.”
President Trump has ordered “that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, September 14, 2025.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a similar order for the state of Texas.
Charlie Kirk’s BIO from the Turning Point USA website:
“Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government. With a presence on over 3,000 high school and college campuses nationwide, over 650,000 lifetime student members, and 450 full- and part-time staff all across the country, Turning Point USA is the largest and fastest-growing conservative youth activist organization in the country. At just 30 years old, Charlie has done thousands of media appearances and his writings can be seen on Fox News, The Hill, RealClearPolitics, Newsweek, The Washington Times, Breitbart, American Greatness, Daily Caller, The American Mind, The Washington Post, and Human Events.
Charlie was previously named to the Forbes “30 under 30” list and was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention as well as the opening speaker at the 2020 RNC. He’s the author of four books including the #1 Amazon and New York Times best-seller, “The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas that Will Win the Future” from Broadside Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, and in 2022 he released “The College Scam: How America’s Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America’s Youth,” from Winning Team Publishing. His upcoming book, “Rightwing Revolution: How to Beat the Woke and Save the West” releases in the spring of 2024.
His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and Axios has listed Charlie as one of the “top 10 most engaged” handles in the world. Charlie is the host of The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, which was downloaded over 120 million times in the last 12 months and regularly ranks among the top 10 shows on Apple News podcast charts. The Charlie Kirk Show is also a nationally syndicated live radio show heard on 150 radio stations around the country and is simulcast on Real America’s Voice News. Collectively, The Charlie Kirk Show is listened to, watched, and streamed by an audience of over 1 million people every day.”
Charlie Kirk leaves behind a wife, Erika, two young children and a grieving nation.
Please send your personal photos of Charlie Kirk for future postings to honor Charlie. E-mail your photos to [email protected]
STATEMENTS REMEMBERING CHARLIE KIRK
CHAIRMAN BOBBY EBERLE HONORS CHARLIE KIRK,
CALLS FOR CONTINUING THE MOVEMENT
SUGAR LAND, TX – Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Bobby Eberle issued the following statement in the wake of the assassination of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk:
“My heart is broken and pours out for the Charlie Kirk family. This senseless act of evil represents a dark moment in the history of our country. In a world where there is so much violence, hatred, censorship, and corruption, Charlie Kirk was the opposite. He extended the olive branch. He said, ‘Let’s talk about this.’
“Charlie was a strong Christian, and he brought that faith with him in everything he did. Rather than shouting or screaming or punching or vandalizing or assaulting, Charlie put forth an outstretched hand — not a clenched fist — in open and honest debate, and he was demonized for it.
“In Galatians 4:16, it is written, ‘So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?’ We must hold on to those words as we grieve. One man was killed for speaking the truth in an effort to silence millions of voices. We must never be silenced!
“The way to honor Charlie Kirk and his legacy is for all of us to continue to speak out, continue to spread the word, continue to move this country in a better direction. Truth can never be allowed to be silenced. We are now the messengers, and we must draw strength from each other.
“Charlie Kirk sought to bring people together through discussion and debate. No stone was ever thrown, and yet his life was taken. Let our prayers at this moment be for Charlie Kirk’s family and that our grief be transformed into resolve. We will need it. Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
9/11 NEVER FORGET
The news today is understandably focused on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, but let’s never forget the 9/11 attacks that occurred 24 years ago today. Charlie would not want us to forget.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Click link for full details
September 13 | 3 p.m. Klein ISD Meet the Candidates, Spring Creek BBQ, 6068 FM 2920, Spring, TX 77379
September 13 | 6:00 p.m. Boots and Heroes Gala
September 15 | 7:00 p.m. Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting, Hyatt Regency Baytown, 100 Convention Ctr Wy, Baytown, TX 77520
September 16 | 7:00 p.m. Cherry Tree Republicans, Mamacita’s Restaurant, 19831 Northwest Freeway
September 18 | 6:30 p.m. San Jacinto Conservatives HQ Opening
September 19 | 6:00 p.m. Texas Youth Summit
September 20 | 7:00 a.m. Texas Youth Summit
September 22 | 5:30 p.m. Dennis Paul for State Senate Fundraiser with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
To submit an event please email [email protected]
ELECTION CALENDAR
November 4, 2025: General Election (CD 18 and SD 9 for example)
January 1, 2025: First day to apply for a ballot by mail for any 2025 election
July 19, 2025: First day to file for a place on the November 4, 2025 General Election
August 18, 2025: Last day to file for a place on the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 6, 2025: Last day to register to vote in the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 20, 2025: First day of Early Voting for the November 4, 2025 General Election
October 31, 2025: Last day of Early Voting for the November 4, 2025 General Election
November 4, 2025: Election Day
March 3, 2026: Primary Election
January 1, 2026: First day to apply for a ballot by mail for any 2026 election
September 9, 2025: First day to file for Precinct Chairman for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
November 8, 2025: First day to file for all other offices for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
December 8, 2025: Last day to file for a place on the ballot for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 2, 2025: Last day to register to vote in the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 17, 2026: First day of Early Voting for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 20, 2026: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
February 27, 2026: Last day of Early Voting for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election
March 3, 2026: Election Day
May 26, 2026: Primary Runoff Election
April 27, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the May 2, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 15, 2026: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 18, 2026: First day of Early Voting for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 22, 2026: Last day of Early Voting for the May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election
May 26, 2026: Election Day for the 2026 Primary Runoff Election For information on becoming a candidate on the Republican Primary Election Ballot, visit https://www.harriscountygop.com/run-for-office/
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ABOUT YOUR EDITOR
Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who served three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as “the most successful county Chairman in America” by Human Events – The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his twenty-eighth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. For the last twenty-three years, he has edited the Texas Conservative Review. As a public service for the previous 20 years, Gary has published election guides for the GOP primary, general elections, and city elections, all to assist conservative candidates. Gary also for 20 years cohosted Red, White and Blue on Houston Public Media TV 8 PBS Houston, longest running political talk show in Texas history and for the last four-plus years Gary has been a regular commentator on Fox 26-Houston’s “What’s Your Point” airing Sunday’s at 7 a.m. Gary serves on the Board of Directors of American Values, a national pro-family, pro-faith, conservative organization supporting the unity of the American people around the vision of our founding fathers and dedicated to reminding the public of the conservative principles fundamental to the survival of our nation. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.
