Our Behavior Determines Our Direction
(Originally posted July 18, 2026)
I know I will be in the minority on this, but since that’s where I normally stand, it’s what I’m comfortable with
I think the coast to coast trashing of the person known as Ashley on the Democrat debate stage is despicable
This person is clearly hurting and struggling with mental health issues
What I saw on the stage was not something to laugh at
What I saw on the stage was someone desperately crying out for help
What I saw on the stage was someone who has no identity
I cannot imagine what that’s like as I’ve never had a day in my entire life where I didn’t know who I am
I believe everyone is a creation of God Almighty, and that some of his creations struggle at life a lot more than others do
From cartoons in well-known publications to the outright mocking of this person because they don’t fit in
Is this really what we become?
If it is, it answers why we never seem to get better
There are people in our society who intentionally go out of their way to be different and to be flamboyant
I didn’t see that the other night
I saw a lost soul
I saw someone so uncomfortable with who they are the anguish of that was clear on their face
I saw someone who was clearly struggling with a mental health crisis
If we want our country to be better
We have got to practice being better ourselves, or nothing will change
is it any wonder people struggling with mental health challenges are so reluctant to get help
I know this person presented themselves on the stage
But it seemed pretty clear to me. This was part of their mental health crisis
My parents taught my brother Jim and me, that we don’t mock those in crisis
We do what we can to help them
It is a shame this person was exploited on the stage
Newscenter Maine and the Democrats should be ashamed of what they did, knowing the ridicule coming
But that doesn’t let the rest of us off for how this person is treated in the aftermath 
How you and I react is entirely within our control – No one forces us to pour gas on an already burning fire