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Let’s move forward

To the editor:

I am an elderly American woman who is shocked and ashamed of what is occurring in this country.

I was raised with absolute respect for America and its laws, including the electoral process. I always have understood that our right to go to the polls and vote our conscience without fear of physical or emotional retaliation was a blessing and a right that so many of our brave young men and women fought and died to protect. That is called democratic freedom and it only works as long as we honor the process.

Regardless of whether my candidate of choice was elected or not, it was my duty as a true American to accept that choice because it was the will of the majority. I continued to work hard, pay bills and taxes, care for my family, obey the laws of the land and show respect for this country and my fellow Americans. To have done less would have been un-American.

Fast forward to the group of constituents who did not get their way in this year’s election and have decided to throw temper tantrums to foster hate and fear through physical demonstrations and cyberbullying tactics. For college students — supposed adults — who have verbally attacked family and friends whose choice was different from theirs or are so immature they need coloring therapy and ponies to survive the disappointment, it’s time to grow up. Evidently, no one has ever taught you that life has disappointments and you don’t always get your way. In a democracy, majority rules.

If Hillary Clinton would have won the election and any of the actions or rhetoric occurring now would have come from a Republican group. The president, president-elect and a large portion of the media would have publicly denounced them. I would not be surprised if criminal charges were forthcoming — disturbing the peace, inciting violence, cyberbullying and, yes, even the suggestion that voting against them is somehow construed as a hate crime.

None of that is happening. Instead, the people and the media actually have encouraged these groups to continue. That is what is truly shocking and shameful.

My closing thoughts to these groups and individuals: If you really do love this country, try being constructive instead of destructive and try to help our legally elected officials move American forward by being hard-working, law-abiding citizens. If not, you will only divide and help destroy our great nation.

Nancy L. Walnoha

Weirton

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