I've honestly been really surprised that this was the only 'real' assassination attempt in recent memory. I was surprised that no one went after Obama, nor Trump after him and Biden after him. The rage was so high, yet it's only now that anyone from either side makes a real attempt.

[–] Thomrade@lemm.ee 6 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I'm just making a guess here, but there could have been more attempts that were nippedl in the bud early enough that we have never heard of them, because the would-be assaains were sloppier and got caught.

[–] randy@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 months ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_assassination_attempts_and_plots#Assassination_attempts_and_plots

You're correct. You'll notice every president in recent history has multiple assassination attempts listed. The bulk of them don't go very far.

[–] NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

Oh I'm sure that's the case. There are probably many attempts. Having said that, it's shocking this is the only one in recent times that has gotten this close.

I guess Bush had a shoe thrown at him though.

[–] mindbleach@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 months ago

Hierarchy tends to prevent violence by providing an authority to appeal to. So long as there is some process people can take, in hope of redress, they will choose that instead of just stabbing a motherfucker. This applies to interpersonal conflict with your neighbor, or mass conflict between religious groups, indeed everybody seeing a fat old baby commit high crimes on national television. Even if you feel the odds are abysmal, that can be enough to stop you from grabbing your pitchfork with intent to use it.

Belief in those systems is a finite resource.