Spit......

Today is the last day of the Ozaukee County Fair.....a "home town" festival that's been going on for 160 years. It's at the fairgrounds in Cedarburg and attracts vendors, 4H Club member with their livestock, arts and crafts, carnival rides for the younger set, live entertainment, beer and food. It's what you would expect when going to an American county fair.

And there are booths representing various community organizations....including one big red and white tent showcasing the Republican Party and a smaller blue and white one standing up for Ozaukee Democrats.

After this horribly sad weekend in our America I felt the need to go to the fair for a quick connection with fellow Democrats and I also really wanted to stop by the Republican tent and just have a conversation....and ask some questions that trouble me more and more every day. But I was too early....the red and white tent was zipped up tight. And there was only one volunteer at the blue and white booth just preparing for the day.

So I stopped for a few minutes to talk to her....and told her I needed to feel something good and something positive and I needed to feel that change was possible. I don't know her well....but she gave me a hug and we chatted for a few minutes. She told me about how many people had stopped over the past five days with positive comments and questions and some had joined the party and others were planning to attend future meetings. But then she shared comments from two other citizens.

The woman who stopped at the booth only to spit on the concrete.

And the man who stopped to say "I wish you were all dead." Really....that's what he said.

Once again our America slapped me in the face....."I wish you were all dead." And.....spit.

She and I quietly looked around the just-opening last day of the fair and both thought.....this is another public gathering.....and we are not safe.....no one is safe in our America anymore.