When Hate Comes Home

“The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart… for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:45

This morning, I stood among Hudson families at a cross-country meet, cheering on my son and his teammates. It was a moment of shared joy—neighbors united by pride, not politics. And yet, I couldn’t help but reflect: when did it become acceptable to call someone a Nazi or a fascist simply because we disagree?

Four years ago, at the polls in Hudson, a young man held my campaign sign. A resident walked by and called me a Nazi and a fascist. The young man was shaken. I told him not to worry—those were unhinged words from someone who’d never met me.. Moments later, the same man—an established member of our community—voted, then when I thanked him for voting, he called me a fascist and drove off in his Porsche.

If you know me, you know how absurd that is. My family fled communist oppression. I’ve spent decades fighting real authoritarian regimes. I’m a staunch defender of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe in civic service, respectful dialogue, and the dignity of every person.

We rightly reject imported hate—like the visiting Nazis—but what about the hate that’s taken root here at home? We see signs that say “Hate Has No Home Here,” yet some use that slogan to justify their own contempt. It’s no longer just disagreement—it’s dehumanization.

We’re at a cultural crossroads. The answer isn’t louder slogans—it’s timeless wisdom: Love your neighbor as yourself. That’s not weakness—it’s strength. It’s the only way communities heal.

It’s time to see each other again—not as enemies, but as neighbors. Let's normalize respectful, meaningful discussion where it's okay to disagree.