Thank you for your witness. Tuesday morning, NPR presented a very fair and sensitive report on the proceedings. I hope the regime will not defund them.
Hate and its predecessors - belittling and diminishing others, anger, and resentment - never win in the long run because you and others like you remind of us of the good that's out there and how important it is for the rest of us to stand up to Trump and his message of hate toward others - particularly the less fortunate for whom every day of life is a struggle.
Thank you Olivia: When you look at it didn't we all come from distant land. The country is comprised of all different nationalities . No one is invading your country. We only think like that because one with White Supremacist beliefs told us . It's just another sick perverse thought' I happen to believe we are born with pure thoughts of love and we are taught to hate. Hate only eats your soul. Hate will only be defeated with love. When I think of that shooter I wonder what twisted his mind to do such a evil act. When those folks hugged the shooter it brought tears , tears of hope. I'm not sure I have the grace but after knowing what the victims of this horrendous act did my soul has ,moved a little. God Bless you Olivia for your share.
❤️. I’ve lived at the other end of the Rio Grande (near Brownsville) for over 30 of my 67 years. We are an almost 90% Hispanic city. I’m so ingratiated to it I now feel odd when I’m amongst an entirety of non-Hispanics. I’ve encountered the hateful speech from others in the state asking what it’s like to live in Northern Mexico and when I’m asked what it’s like living so close to the border can honestly say- “a lot like your home” (which they, mostly being FoxNews viewers, cannot or will not believe). The idea that “WE” are being invaded BY “THEM” is, if it weren’t so stupid and ironic, hysterical. Just remember that the general DFW area was a hotbed of KKK activity in the last century, and that in many cases, nothing much has changed.
I very much like what you write and the perspective you offer. I still cannot reconcile how a person with such grace and expressions of compassion and empathy could find herself working for Mr. Pence and the first Trump administration. I do not write this to shame you or accuse you of anything. I simply do not understand how the person that wrote this column of El Paso, claims association with Mexican Americans and even uses the word "somos". This is a great column but it is not what a person who worked for Pence and the administration would have ever done. I do not know if you have written about this before but I would greatly appreciate knowing your thinking when you were working for them and yet knew the ugliness of what so many around them said and thought. I am simply trying to better understand this because I am not capable of expressing an act of caring, of possibly love that was shown in that courtroom. This has happened to Latinos for so many generations and decades. I truly am imperfect but honest about my limitations as an imperfect human being.
I cannot speak for Olivia obviously , but I suspect the answer is non -partisan patriotism and a sense of service is what was at play. There were many who worked in his administration to try and stop as much nonsense as they could. I will let Olivia chime in, but I think we should be carful before we paint everyone with certain brushstokes, as it leads to a dangerous place. I dislike the orange julius with 1000 sons and vehemently disagree with a lot of what mike Pence stands for - but we need competent civil servants. If the lunatics in power have shown us anything, its the importance of having the Olivia Troye's , Miles Taylors, and Kris Krebs in Govt.
I second this. I am a Bernie Sanders supporter and Massachusetts liberal who doesn’t know how I got on your subscriber list but truly appreciates your perspective. I can’t imagine the pain this incident caused you but I don’t understand Republican thinking about so many things. Democrats are not perfect, but we try to use inclusive language like undocumented people instead of aliens or unhoused people instead of homeless. These terms may not make everyone happy, but they try to be respectful, but conservatives mock them. Language matters. I hope we can all learn from the gracious response of the victims families. Thanks for your thoughtful post.
My son in law who is of Mexican ancestry does not understand why the US should allow people whoever they are to reside in this when they did not get the proper authorization to do so. His father family has been in California for centuries, His mother did what was necessary to get proper documentation, even though it was not easy. Please explain to me why his mother at great expense and effort had to follow the rules but others get a completely free pass and snub our laws, which she would never do as a former legal resident and NOW Citizen of the USA.
Your neighbors showed that love can conquer hate and terror. I couldn't do what they did. (The Irish and grudges) El Paso has much to teach the rest of us.
Again the point was not just to follow the rules to follow the rules, but my son in laws mother rightfully believes as do I that if you want to be in this country YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. SO SHE DID, how do you explain to my son in laws mother why other people should not follow the rules, it was not easy for her but she did it and she is very proud that she did.
I love you so much Olivia! Thanks for standing up to Trump when it was most needed. I will never understand how people chose Trump, a fake Christian, over Pence, a real Christian, a second time.
Thank you. This country needs people like you who continue to speak truth to power despite the threats of revenge and retribution. Your voice, insight and courage are so important.
I certainly shall (not traveling now for obvious reasons) - but I have been traveling for opera for more than 20 years (Santa Fe '23/'24 - but the altitude is too much for me, Houston with my niece for many years, subscriber to San Francisco Opera for many years, and my home company of course) so I am pleased to see there is opera in El Paso. My primary carrier has nonstops to and from El Paso, so once this hideous authoritarian regime has been vanquished and air traffic controllers are restored, EP will be my first destination (except for my beloved Bay Area) 💙🤩 Thank you for offering advice - that would be deeply appreciated. Best wishes, Sue 😎
I served in the military with many good people who lived in the El Paso area. They taught me what kindness is. They taught me what open mindedness is. They taught me what proud meant to be Hispanic. I developed a reverence toward Hispanics as a young man I maintain 50+ years later.
Olivia; My heart ached as I read this letter of Humility. Tina Uselding
Thank you for your witness. Tuesday morning, NPR presented a very fair and sensitive report on the proceedings. I hope the regime will not defund them.
Hate and its predecessors - belittling and diminishing others, anger, and resentment - never win in the long run because you and others like you remind of us of the good that's out there and how important it is for the rest of us to stand up to Trump and his message of hate toward others - particularly the less fortunate for whom every day of life is a struggle.
Beautiful 💕
Such a beautiful story and not something on our radar -- thank you for shining this light!
Terrific post Olivia. Thank you.
This is the America that I fight for. There's good in this world, in America, and it's worth fighting for.
Thank you Olivia: When you look at it didn't we all come from distant land. The country is comprised of all different nationalities . No one is invading your country. We only think like that because one with White Supremacist beliefs told us . It's just another sick perverse thought' I happen to believe we are born with pure thoughts of love and we are taught to hate. Hate only eats your soul. Hate will only be defeated with love. When I think of that shooter I wonder what twisted his mind to do such a evil act. When those folks hugged the shooter it brought tears , tears of hope. I'm not sure I have the grace but after knowing what the victims of this horrendous act did my soul has ,moved a little. God Bless you Olivia for your share.
❤️. I’ve lived at the other end of the Rio Grande (near Brownsville) for over 30 of my 67 years. We are an almost 90% Hispanic city. I’m so ingratiated to it I now feel odd when I’m amongst an entirety of non-Hispanics. I’ve encountered the hateful speech from others in the state asking what it’s like to live in Northern Mexico and when I’m asked what it’s like living so close to the border can honestly say- “a lot like your home” (which they, mostly being FoxNews viewers, cannot or will not believe). The idea that “WE” are being invaded BY “THEM” is, if it weren’t so stupid and ironic, hysterical. Just remember that the general DFW area was a hotbed of KKK activity in the last century, and that in many cases, nothing much has changed.
I very much like what you write and the perspective you offer. I still cannot reconcile how a person with such grace and expressions of compassion and empathy could find herself working for Mr. Pence and the first Trump administration. I do not write this to shame you or accuse you of anything. I simply do not understand how the person that wrote this column of El Paso, claims association with Mexican Americans and even uses the word "somos". This is a great column but it is not what a person who worked for Pence and the administration would have ever done. I do not know if you have written about this before but I would greatly appreciate knowing your thinking when you were working for them and yet knew the ugliness of what so many around them said and thought. I am simply trying to better understand this because I am not capable of expressing an act of caring, of possibly love that was shown in that courtroom. This has happened to Latinos for so many generations and decades. I truly am imperfect but honest about my limitations as an imperfect human being.
I cannot speak for Olivia obviously , but I suspect the answer is non -partisan patriotism and a sense of service is what was at play. There were many who worked in his administration to try and stop as much nonsense as they could. I will let Olivia chime in, but I think we should be carful before we paint everyone with certain brushstokes, as it leads to a dangerous place. I dislike the orange julius with 1000 sons and vehemently disagree with a lot of what mike Pence stands for - but we need competent civil servants. If the lunatics in power have shown us anything, its the importance of having the Olivia Troye's , Miles Taylors, and Kris Krebs in Govt.
I second this. I am a Bernie Sanders supporter and Massachusetts liberal who doesn’t know how I got on your subscriber list but truly appreciates your perspective. I can’t imagine the pain this incident caused you but I don’t understand Republican thinking about so many things. Democrats are not perfect, but we try to use inclusive language like undocumented people instead of aliens or unhoused people instead of homeless. These terms may not make everyone happy, but they try to be respectful, but conservatives mock them. Language matters. I hope we can all learn from the gracious response of the victims families. Thanks for your thoughtful post.
My son in law who is of Mexican ancestry does not understand why the US should allow people whoever they are to reside in this when they did not get the proper authorization to do so. His father family has been in California for centuries, His mother did what was necessary to get proper documentation, even though it was not easy. Please explain to me why his mother at great expense and effort had to follow the rules but others get a completely free pass and snub our laws, which she would never do as a former legal resident and NOW Citizen of the USA.
Your neighbors showed that love can conquer hate and terror. I couldn't do what they did. (The Irish and grudges) El Paso has much to teach the rest of us.
Thank you for sharing the warmth of your hometown.
Again the point was not just to follow the rules to follow the rules, but my son in laws mother rightfully believes as do I that if you want to be in this country YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. SO SHE DID, how do you explain to my son in laws mother why other people should not follow the rules, it was not easy for her but she did it and she is very proud that she did.
I love you so much Olivia! Thanks for standing up to Trump when it was most needed. I will never understand how people chose Trump, a fake Christian, over Pence, a real Christian, a second time.
Thank you. This country needs people like you who continue to speak truth to power despite the threats of revenge and retribution. Your voice, insight and courage are so important.
Olivia, I never dreamed that I, a born and raised devout Pacific Northwesterner, would purposely travel to El Paso. Now I simply must.
You will love it! If you go, make sure to tell me. I’ll send some tips!
I certainly shall (not traveling now for obvious reasons) - but I have been traveling for opera for more than 20 years (Santa Fe '23/'24 - but the altitude is too much for me, Houston with my niece for many years, subscriber to San Francisco Opera for many years, and my home company of course) so I am pleased to see there is opera in El Paso. My primary carrier has nonstops to and from El Paso, so once this hideous authoritarian regime has been vanquished and air traffic controllers are restored, EP will be my first destination (except for my beloved Bay Area) 💙🤩 Thank you for offering advice - that would be deeply appreciated. Best wishes, Sue 😎
If we all could be as gracious this would be a better world. Too bad Trump wasn't there though I doubt he has the capacity to understand. Jim
I served in the military with many good people who lived in the El Paso area. They taught me what kindness is. They taught me what open mindedness is. They taught me what proud meant to be Hispanic. I developed a reverence toward Hispanics as a young man I maintain 50+ years later.
Thank you for your incisive comments and compassion.