A different view

Anger and hatred displayed in the nation’s capital on Jan. 6 resulted in death and injury to over a hundred police officers and came at the hands of Trump supporters. By extension, that means all Trump voters. They used bear spray and American flagpoles to injure police, killing one. They chanted “hang vice president Pence and kill Nancy.” They intended to stop the democratic process and the recording of votes of the 50 states confirming Mr. Biden’s win.

The newly “conservative” Supreme Court confirmed this win. Hundreds of MAGA supporters – “traitors” – will go to prison for sedition. These actions are an assault on a majority of law-abiding citizens and our democracy. I’m writing to The Record because I’m angry that MAGA supporters have refused to grow with many of our citizens into the 21st Century and are willing to destroy democracy to maintain white male power and privilege. I’m afraid you’ve hitched your wagon to a mentally ill con man. Your actions are affecting my economic future! Chuck and I sacrificed a lot to retire in Hawaii. We fear our money and the economy would not be safe with a would-be Dictator Trump. Does Dictator Putin’s Russia and its economy benefit all their people? Our grandfathers and fathers lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy to stop a white racist movement that murdered minorities and seized Europe. That was Fascism. Now MAGA sends White racists, “Proud Boys” and others, to fight progressives to end democracy.

I didn’t choose where I’d live my formative years. I’m a survivor! As a survivor, I’m telling my truth. Does it make you angry, uncomfortable? Doesn’t feel very good, does it? Neither did my life in Odessa. My parents had an unhappy marriage. Living as a sensitive and empathetic boy, I was told in an eighth-grade skills test I had the compassion and temperament to be a minister. Apparently, no sensitive, empathetic boys were understood in Odessa. Would Jesus have passed this test? I was labeled a “pansy” which had nothing to do with “sex” in the 60s. It had everything to do with male dominance and control that still compels MAGA today. The bullying was embarrassing and relentless. I took Valium my junior year to survive senior tormentors. I told no one, as I absorbed it all for six years.

I left Odessa with no self-esteem or self-confidence, failing in college. I could not speak in a class of strangers or to my instructors. This is a condition called Social Anxiety Disorder. I lost my draft deferment. I could go to Vietnam or go to prison! I had no preconceived opinion or understanding of that war. No questioning of the military; do as you are told. I knew immediately at war that I was expendable. Approx. 58,000 vets died there, mostly poor Whites, Blacks and Hispanics. I went back to college in my 30s and still could not speak in class.

Going forward, why not introduce debate in Odessa High School? Maybe in English class. I’ll give you a few questions: What does Make America Great Again mean? Do humans burning fossil fuels cause a large portion of global warming? Looks like you have successful science students at OHS. Students may believe that global warming is real. If students are afraid to debate issues with family or friends, for fear of offending them, you’re living in the same conforming environment I did and are unable to speak your truth! Don’t let MAGA destroy free speech, our democracy and people’s economic future.

Bruce Porter

– Honolulu