KEARNEY, Neb. — A local Kearney business owner has spoken out to clarify remarks she made on social media following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, a few weeks ago. Which sparked significant backlash and misunderstanding.
Cindy Houlden, silent partner at The Lodge Restaurant, addressed the controversy surrounding a Facebook post that was quickly shared and taken out of context. She explained that her original post was online for less than a minute and that only part of it was circulated widely.
“Our grandmother used to say there’s three sides to every story: his side, her side, and the truth. Well, there’s three sides to this story, too,” said Houlden.
To clarify what was actually said online, Houlden emphasized that she did not justify the shooting in any way. Instead, her message focused on the broader consequences of division and hatred in the country. “What I meant by karma is the karma we all have to live with with our actions as we go forward,” she said. She expressed concern that ongoing societal divisions could lead to further tragedies.
“My post said that what happened to Charlie Kirk is not justified in any way shape or form,” added Houlden. “No matter how divisive some people may have found his words, but with that said what I meant by karma is the karma we all have to live with, with our actions as we go forward.”
Despite her intentions to promote reflection and unity, Houlden and the business faced immediate backlash. Threatening comments flooded her social media, prompting Facebook to warn her about potential threats. Sales at The Lodge have reportedly dropped significantly.
“We’ve seen a major impact on the sales and what’s happened to the business,” noted Robert James, The Lodge Restaurant Co-Owner and Kitchen Manager.
This crushes James. “It’s breaking my heart to see it die,” he said.
Hatred didn’t stop with simply attacking the owners and their business. Houlden mentioned threats were made against her employees including coming after high schoolers. “When this initially happened, we lost 80% of our workforce,” said James.
The threats extended beyond the owners to employees, including young workers and local students. In response, Houlden contacted Kearney Public Schools and the University of Nebraska at Kearney to alert them to threats circulating online.
Houlden called for open dialogue and community unity, urging people to come together over shared meals and conversations. “When you have children, is this the world you want them to grow up in?” she asked.
She said she hopes to stop what she called destructive behavior. “And I feel it towards both sides, but I’ve never felt the hate from the left that I feel from the right. I’ll be honest,” noted Houlden.
She also clarified her role in the business, stating that James primarily owns and operates The Lodge while she manages the books and finances. Both owners have expressed disbelief at how the situation escalated.
The incident highlights growing tensions in communities across the country, underscoring the challenges faced by individuals trying to express nuanced views in a highly polarized environment.
Dining and Cooking