It amazes me how amid the expressions of outrage at the attempt and gratitude that the former President is okay, that so many pundits immediately resort to spin. Here are two hot takes I find particularly asinine.

First, this had to have been staged. Pundits point to the shooter getting to a rooftop approximately 150 yards from the podium unimpeded, and the several second delay before Secret Service counter snipers returned fire. Also the fact that some in the crowd shouted there was someone on the roof just before the shots started. How could this happen if there wasn't prior involvement by the protective detail. This hot take is coming from both extremes. The far left claims it's a theater piece arranged by the Trump campaign. The far right claims Secret Service perfidy.

Two words. Hanlon's razor. How well was the protective detail designed when the tapes show a female SS agent several inches shorter than the 6 foot 2 inch President trying to shield his body with hers? As to the failure to secure a rooftop with sight lines and the hesitation before killing the shooter, incompetence is the much simpler explanation. That and perhaps short staffing. (see what I did there) The campaign has apparently requested a larger detail with those requests having been denied. Up till now, at least. Also a conspiracy would require a shooter skilled enough to wound the President but not kill him being totally cool with getting his own head blown off for the cause.

Second, the hue and outcry over the shooter employing and AR-15 style weapon. What else needs to happen before these deadly weapons of war are finally banned, they ask. Yeah about that. This rifle is good for many things, but serving as a sniper platform is not one of the things it does best. Semiautomatics by their design involve moving parts that give you better rate of fire than a bolt action rifle but inferior accuracy. A bolt action rifle, chambered in .308 and with a good scope is lethal at 1000 yards and beyond, depending on the skill of the shooter. At 150 yards, it's a layup.

Last, my personal hot takes. This may have sealed the election. The screen shot of a bloody Trump pushing back at his detail to pump his fist at the crowd is already everywhere. Trump now has even more street cred. There are already hip hop tracks on Tick Tock praising the OG President.

I don't know what to think about this. As I've stated before, I dislike both candidates and wish for an outcome where they both lose. I truly believe Biden's candidacy, which was already on life support, is now displaying no signs of life and is waiting for someone to pull the plug.