I have a friend who lost her husband this year to a slow and painful death.  She sent me this text message this morning.

I just stopped by a Veteran’s Day celebration in my neighborhood – Pecan Grove. There were a bunch of veterans there with their military hats on. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this but my husband John was a decorated Vietnam war veteran and he was a very staunch Democrat.

Part of the reason he died may – just may – have been because of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam as well as Benzene products in the construction industry.

Although I think it is bad for people to do violent things in the protests that are occurring nationwide I think it is good in that a lot of people have the courage to say we will not stand for this man’s hateful rhetoric.

OK at the Veterans Day celebration our sheriff Troy Nehls, who goes to my church by the way, led the “service”. I have always liked him and thought he was a pretty good guy but I voted straight Dem ticket this year and I’m pretty vocal in my neighborhood so I’m sure that a lot of people at my church know that I’m a rabid Dem.

In this service Susan he thanked God for our new administration and he stated that he hopes God will forgive the demonstrators.

I had just put my hand over my heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance and listened to the national anthem alongside my neighbors with tears in my eyes thinking about my husband who was a veteran. When he said that God “needs to forgive the demonstrstors” I turned on my heels and walked away. Not particularly politically correct right?

I just feel this portends things to come. The religious right is going to be so judgmental of the Democrats. It was OK for them to call President Obama a Nazi, the N-word, a Socialist, accuse him of not being born in the United States, show unmitigated disrespect for him and our First Lady. Now that the Democrats are upset about the results of the election it’s not OK. It is the unbelievable hypocrisy of the alt right people.

I need to calm down I really need to calm down.  I keep getting angry and sad off and on. I heard Elizabeth Warren last night on the Rachel Maddow Show and she said what we need to do is get active which is what I want to do so let me know how I can help Susan. OK I just had to get that off my chest to someone who would understand. I love you and Don and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your hard work!

Onward through the fog! (Name omitted)

My friend could not honor her veteran husband today.  This is worth fighting for.