Election Trepidation

 Am I worried about election violence?

A little bit, yes.  Enough so to stock up on cat food.

I know lots of Trump supporters.  I have a brother who is one.  Along with all his friends.   I know others too.   They're good people, for the most part.  But there's a crew out there of not so nice Trump folks.  I suppose there are always those sorts, on any side of anything.   

Like the sicko who dumped two severed deer heads near Black Lives Matter and Biden signs in Lake Oswego a couple days ago.  That's someone in need of medication of some kind.  

Some election watch group put out a report of possible election violence that listed our state as one of five most likely to experience election intimidation or violence.  Probably because of the rock throwers in Portland and the counter groups on the other side with their big guns and big trucks.   I don't like either the far left or the far right radicals.   To me, they're just gangs who like destruction and to hurt people.  I consider the far right groups far more dangerous however, as they seem more organized, heavily armed and full of hatred for those who disagree with them.  The far lefters also seem full of hate.

The President seems to give the far right groups the nod of approval, which makes them more dangerous.  For a President to appear to approve of thugs with guns is beyond my capacity to fathom.  Our President is not strong enough to stand up against violence or bad behavior, if those people involved support him.   It takes a very strong person to do that.  He cannot unite America because he disparages in vile ways anyone who disagrees with him.  It's his way or you're as good as dead to him.  He demands absolute loyalty.  This isn't normal.  America should celebrate free thinkers, not bow down to a demigod.  Disagreement is so American.  For an American President to suppress free thought is mind boggling.

That's why this election worries me.  

I remember John McCain in a town hall.   Some old woman stood up and began to rant untruths about Obama, his opponent.  John McCain became very uncomfortable and finally said those things just were not true.  That's a strong man who does that.  

I'm not a Republican or a Democrat.  I don't like to be a joiner.   To be painted one color or another.   We're all a mix.   Political parties divide they do not unite.  For example if I were a candidate I'd be hard put to belong in one of the party boxes or another.  I won't choose a side.  I won't be American versus American.  I have friends "on both sides" whom I love.  However, I also won't vote for our current President.  Morality is my top reason.

If you think I'm a coward for not being on one side or the other, think again.  I tried to sign up for the military after 911 and would have, but was rejected because I was too old.  I argued to the recruiter I could do something, despite my age.  If this country was invaded, those who know me know I would stand up and give no ground even if my knees were quaking.   

My two brothers are exact opposites politically.  They're both good men with kind hearts.  I love them both.  I'll be happy when this election is over and done with.

I will hope with this election that the people on both sides are more like my brothers, one on each side, but both good men, who would never harm another American.

But I bought extra cat food, just in case.