It's been hard for me to put my support behind someone so deliberately and unapologetically cruel. A person who seems to embody every despicable quality I hope to never glimpse in the heart of my own child. I've come to understand, however, that for some people, the cruelty is the point. I used to think it was a minority of people, but I'm not so sure anymore.
I'm not a fool. I'm not planning to cut off my own nose just to spite my face -- just for the possibility of enjoying some petty "I told you so" sort of revenge. After all, this is my country, too. It's the place I'll raise my son and the world I'll pass on to him, someday. I don't enjoy being wrong, but I've never wanted to be wrong about something so much in all my life.
Just for the record, though... I wasn't wrong the first time around.
I've decided to narrow my world view, for now. Rather than devote any more energy into doomsday scenarios, I'm going to pour myself into giving my son the best childhood I can manage, instead. I'm going to instill in him qualities of kindness and compassion -- qualities mocked right now for weaknesses -- because I know without a doubt that the depth of his humanity will long outlive the lack thereof in others.
I can't change the world right now... but I'm not done trying.