But, I'm a full throated Trump supporter here. I was attacked and insulted from the minute I gave my opinion. My conservative credentials, intelligence, morality, sanity was attacked and impugned by these NeverTrump–Ted Cruz cultists and diehards.
You hope to reconcile this rift? I'm not so optimistic. You have this idea that you can "gently" nurture these poor emotionally wounded souls back to seeing the big picture? Me, I am not so inclined. I plan to continue giving as bad as I got from the free republic refuse, that overnight flooded this neighborhood, flinging their dirt at anything or anyone Trump.
To you, I say peace, Major – and good luck. You'll need it.
I'm obviously one of those "Free Republic refuse" you speak of. You have done exactly what you accuse us of: questioning intelligence, conservative credentials, et al.
That stuff won't fly with me: I have a bachelors and masters, 8+ years as a combat arms officer, 30+ years of financial and accounting experience.
At the risk of repeating myself, I successfully argued, in German, with my German neighbors that Reagan would be a far better choice than Carter. I did my job so well in the months leading to Reagan's win in 1980, that after the hostages were released, I was invited to sit at the stammtisch of the local gasthaus, a table reserved for family and their closest friends. You talk to anyone who has lived in Germany, and you'll be hard pressed to find a similar situation, where an American received such an honor.
I also converted my in-laws, a large Hispanic family, from Democrat to Republican, though it took several years.
As a former military officer, it is my firm opinion that Trump cannot be allowed to be our Commander in Chief. Others may disagree, and I respect their opinion. My vote is mine alone, and it will no longer be cast on who is the "lesser of two evils."
I've been dealing with people like you for nearly 45 years. I was mocked and ridiculed my last two months in high school, for the temerity of accepting a 4 year ROTC scholarship. It wasn't just students, a teacher I respected told me to my face how "disappointed" he was with me. The only teacher who publicly supported my decision was my calculus teacher, a former Jesuit priest from Marquette. He was thrilled that I chose to matriculate at Gonzaga.
BTW, it's the same high school that Rachel Maddow graduated from. I shook the dust off my feet, never to return. I took the schollie to Gonzaga University, the value of which in today's dollars is nearly $200,000.
Sorry, align, but the joke's on all of us if the next President is Trump or Hillary. Your bloviating and insults are insufficient to change my mind.
