Flashback 1995: The Murder of American Atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair

On September 29, 1995, renowned atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, born April 13, 1919 (in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania) was murdered along with her son, Jon, and her granddaughter, Robin, above.

Murray O’Hair received a lot of hate and threats from religious people, during her time, as she fought—successfully—to get such influence out of public areas such as schools. Separation of church and state.

Recommended reading:

 “The Most Hated Woman in America”

Born in 1971, I did not know of her until I nearly reached adult age. I seem to remember, during what I think was the Summer of 1988, a weeklong retrospective of “The Best of” Donahue—Phil Donahue’s syndicated talk program (1967–1996)—which included his welcoming as guest O’Hair. This was in 1970. Video of that interview is below.

Reaction to the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk, a Republican influencer and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated last Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. 

Kirk was born October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and was aged 31. 

I certainly wasn't going to refrain from acknowledging this happened. But, at the same time, I would not write that Kirk had an impact on me. I did not watch or listen to him and, frankly, allowed others—such as content creators—to report on his commentaries. I found, over the years, that most—or even all—influencers, be they for the Republican or the Democratic parties, have a gig. They are, for their audiences, like a minister or a preacher at a church. Their audience identifies with them. They are loyal. But, from behind the scenes, who knows how much of what they present in public is (or was) who they actually are (or were) in private.

My sympathy goes to Kirk’s surviving family members. That is because losing one who died from natural causes is painful enough. But losing one who died because he was murdered—in this case, assassinated—is something else. (Since this happened only days ago…I will not expound given I am much in agreement with content creators, who are recommended on this blog site, who have already weighed in.)

Kirk is survived by his wife, 2012 Miss Arizona USA and podcaster Erika Lane Frantzve, 36, and their daughter (born in 2022) and son (born in 2024).