Just as a point of interest, Kamala Harris made two rally stops in North Carolina yesterday – Charlotte and Greensboro. My sister drove the 2.5 hours to Charlotte to attend that rally, admittedly smaller than the Greensboro venue. The entire round trip took her about 12 hours, due to tire pressure issues. [She had a small nail in one of the tires and had to stop every hour or so on the way home to refill with air. She made it home safely and got the tire fixed this morning!] She had a great time, despite the tire issue and being exhausted. Sadly, she went alone, but made some new friends while there! [I couldn’t go because of my mobility issues.]

But, back to the debate (in a way). One of the issues that came up during the Trump-Harris debate on Tuesday involved Trump’s claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, OH, eating dogs and cats of the local residents. I think I may have briefly mentioned that ridiculous claim.

Well, it’s gone from bad to worse. Since Tuesday, the city of Springfield has received bomb threats that required the evacuation of the Springfield City Hall, two schools and the local motor vehicle facility! Reports of threats to various immigrants in the city have also been received.

Enough already! When did we become a nation filled with so much hate and intolerance? Oh yeah, that would be roughly 2015 or 2016 when the Orange One decided to run for president. His first speech? He mentioned the rapists that were coming from Mexico! Then he quickly moved to all Muslims – the infamous Muslim ban! Remember all the “love”?

I suppose there has always been a sector – not sure how big, but certainly more quiet/under-ground – that was filled with hate for anyone who didn’t look like them. You know, the skin-heads, white supremacists, the KKK, etc. They were more secretive BT (“before Trump”), but they were there nonetheless. Now, they’re out in the open. Picketing in their white hoods or other “uniforms”. And they’re much more vocal with the hate speech.

I’m here to say “enough – cut it out”. Most of the Haitians in Springfield are legal immigrants. They are hard working and just want a better life for themselves and their families. As I’ve seen a lot on Facebook, if you don’t look like this (a Native American), then you are likely an immigrant.

Let’s face it, the vast majority of Americans come from immigrants. My father’s family came from Ireland in 1848 during the potato famine. My mother’s family came from Germany (Bavaria) in the early 19th century as well. While both sides claim some native ancestors, I kind of doubt it. I sent my DNA to Ancestry and the results did not reflect any native heritage.

So basically what it seems to be about is “race” rather than immigration status. I haven’t heard of much brouhaha over European immigrants (Danes, Swedes, etc.) – you know, the “white” immigrants. No, I hear almost exclusively the negatives of immigrants of color (Mexican or Latinos, Middle East, etc.). I guess that means the hate mongers only want immigrants that are white. This is not a huge surprise, I guess. But, considering we’re in the 21st century, it is very disappointing.

Enter Trump and Vance who both egg on the negativity and hate, and you’re left with a very unsettling situation! A dangerous situation!

I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again (and again and again) – we’re better than this! As my mother taught me, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all!

I think if I were on the city council of Springfield, OH, or the mayor or city manager, I think I’d look into what legal action could be taken against the Trump campaign, and Trump and Vance individually, for perpetuating and worsening a bad situation! Their rhetoric has cause a very unstable situation in the city, one that is becoming more dangerous.

I’m kind of surprised that some of the individual Haitians haven’t come together to file some type of class action regarding defamation. Again, the rhetoric coming from the campaign, not just Trump or Vance either, is putting the Haitians in danger. They are being threatened to the point that some parents are not sending their children to school for fear of their getting hurt!

Apparently, Trump and Vance only understand legal action! In a statement in an interview Wednesday or Thursday, Vance said that the “rumor” [his word, not mine] might prove to be false, BUT . . . then he went on to detail the snatching of pets in order to consume them!

I got a clue for you guys! If you don’t know it to be true, don’t repeat it! That’s something we teach our children at young ages – not to participate in gossip mills and spread falsehoods that can hurt people! You are supposed to be grown ups – act like it!

IMHO . . .