When Hell Freezes Over Postscript

Last week I wrote about using the phrase, when hell freezes over, referring to things that we think will never happen. I said if President Trump ever said he was wrong and apologized for something hurtful and unkind he’d said, I would say, “Did hell freeze over and I didn’t get the memo?”

I had a call from a nice lady who said she was disappointed in me for using the column to make a political statement and she very politely challenged that comment. She said Mr. Trump had indeed apologized for some of his words. She said shortly before the election he mentioned some locker room talk about women he’d engaged in 11 years ago. He said he was wrong to have said the things he did, he was sorry he’d done it and he apologized for it.

I stand corrected. I do remember that. My comments weren’t really meant to be political, ummm maybe just a tad. Mostly they were intended to be humorous. But to this lady they weren’t humorous they were offensive. For that I apologize.

But you know what? I love this country. I love our freedoms. And we have many. Freedom of speech is just one of them. I can have my opinion. This lady can have her opinion.

And even though we don’t agree we can both express our feelings without fear of harm. Not every country allows their citizens this freedom.

This lady not only expressed her displeasure effectively and politely, she also identified herself. Some people have let me know in vivid language that they did not like what I said. But they would not identify themselves.

So I love this woman. To me she is the epitome of what America stands for, the freedom to be who we are, the freedom to be different from others yet be able to speak out about our differences and the freedom to be accepted with our differences in a safe, friendly manner.

I like talking to people who disagree with me because that’s one way I learn something new. A long time ago I was told of this concept on how to try to get along with people. I don’t remember its source. But it went something like this. Get to know your enemy. You’ll either learn how to protect yourself from him, or you’ll learn how to defeat him or you’ll learn that he’s really not your enemy. If anyone else doesn’t agree with my commentary please feel free to give me a call.

Keep smiling.

Linda Messmer can be reached at 812-448-8725.