Democracy must stand up to violence

VIOLENCE AND DEMOCRACY cannot exist in the same arena. On Saturday, former president and GOP candidate Donald Trump was struck by a bullet as he spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters in Butler County. Trump, bloodied and defiant, was quickly removed from the stage. Despite the injury to his ear, he is otherwise safe. Three other bystanders are not. Corey Comperatore, 50, of Buffalo Township, was killed. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, were hospitalized. The alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, was killed by law enforcement.