Since my previous article from a few months ago which discussed the defacing of a billboard carrying a pro-President Trump message, we have again seen how spiteful some of our fellow citizens can become. Previously, portions of this sign were painted over with obscenities and fired upon with a shotgun. This time, individuals who are obviously anti-Trumpers proceeded to cut down the sign entirely making sure that a message that they do not agree with could not be seen and enjoyed by others.

It is indeed a sad situation when debate and discussion of political viewpoints is not tolerated in a civil society like ours whose constitution provides for freedom of speech to all citizens. Instead, opposing viewpoints are met with beatings, destruction of property, violence, and hatred as we have witnessed across a number of our college campuses and also during the 2016 campaign rallies supporting Donald Trump.

Are we following the footsteps of Nazi Germany, Cuba, or Venezuela? I sincerely hope not. This is the USA, the greatest country in the world, and we should strive to live up to and maintain the high standards that made America the greatest of nations.

Ed Osowski

Silver City, NM