The Division

I’m saddened for my son, who is a huge Buffalo Sabres fan, and especially likes their best player, Tage Thompson.

Tage was on the gold medal winning USA squad, and he went to the White House.

My son, is not a fan of the current administration, but he allowed the players a little rope, figuring that it’s an honor to be invited to the White House, no matter who is in power.

I can also see why those kids may have gone. They won a gold medal for the first time in almost fifty years.

But, it got more complicated for ms son when Tage appeared in a photo wearing a MAGA hat.

“That’s a bridge too far,” he texted. “You can’t back that guy, unless you don’t care about women at all.”

We didn’t talk politics as our boys were growing up, but we did discuss respect and morality and making good choices.

All three kids arrived at their own conclusions. Their thoughts mirror ours.

Yet, I hate the absolute division that is a real, vibrant thing in this country.

It may be the worst of all of this.

There are musical artists that I admired who no longer exist in my shuffle.

I can’t get past their sensibilities.

(I’m not talking Kid Rock here).

There are Yankees and former Yankees players who lean that way. Same with some of the Bills players.

It’s disappointing.

Yet, what’s worse is that I’ve also alienated friends and family members who know where I stand…

…and vice-versa.

That division is the worst thing that we will need to overcome.

“The art is always better than the artist,” I told my son.

“I wish I didn’t know,” he answered.

A fallen idol.

“We are all free to think what we want here,” I said. “Even if it’s misguided. Just cheer for Tage when he scores.”

Hate that we are divided up into camps…

…here in the United States.