By admin 
| Guest columnist
Watch Donald Trump promise mass deportations from Springfield and Aurora
Addressing the media in California, Donald Trump said his mass deportations will first focus on Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado.
Greg Ward is originally from central Ohio and was a long-time volunteer youth sports coach.
Now that the election is over and the results are devastating for those of us who don’t believe in newly elected President Donald Trump and his stated agenda – to round up immigrants, to ‘protect’ women by taking away their rights, to leave Ukraine to his friend Vladimir Putin, to be a ‘dictator’ by unleashing the military on his political enemies – we are faced with decisions about what to do.
First, this old man wants to thank the Trump voters for giving me a reason to stick around for at least four more years. I refuse to leave this earth with the family I love, and others, in the poor state we will be in come January.
What should those of us who came out on the losing side do now?
Accept the loss, don’t attack the Capitol and become part of the solution.
Support women – the women, daughters and granddaughters we know and those we don’t know. Even those who voted for a misogynist are at risk for the future and for their daughters and granddaughters.
Support immigrants, including those who voted for a man who thinks they are trash, who are simply human beings – many who toil in jobs Americans don’t want.
Work to save our planet from climate change and our children from guns, the leading cause of death for children in the US today.
Give an ear, a shoulder, or a helping hand to the kids who are being bullied – especially the transgender kids, all but a small handful, who don’t play on girls’ sports teams, but who attempt suicide at a higher rate than cisgender kids.
We must seek comfort in each other. Just yesterday – just days after the election, in which subtlety and empathy replaced rudeness and meanness – a kind woman came to me almost in tears. She is a doctor who has dedicated her life to fighting cancer and saving lives; a woman of a different color than me; a woman who moved to the United States to help others and enjoy our freedom; and a “real” Christian, or what was once considered a real Christian.
She gave me a hug of friendship. She worries about the misogyny and racism that is so prevalent here that a brilliant woman of color lost the doctor and I to one person, and I wouldn’t want to be a neighbor.
She wonders who will be rounded up by the Trump administration. She is concerned that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare, which keep our people fed and alive, could be cut or eliminated. I couldn’t allay her fears or answer her question, “How could this happen here?” But I could offer understanding and a hug.
My political “allies”, above all, we must work to be good Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, agnostics or atheists – good people, kind people, people who do not cheat or lie, play with porn stars or commit fraud or crimes.
Remember (and this may not be easy) that many of those who supported Trump will ultimately need our help as well, as he is loyal only to himself and turns on his “friends” at will. When they inevitably need us, we ask that they offer us just two things in return: a “please” and a promise to help get America back to what it should be, what it needs to be.
Together, even though it will be difficult, we will make America friendly again.
Greg Ward is originally from central Ohio and was a long-time volunteer youth sports coach. Now retired, he is a part-time fitness caregiver and spinning instructor and a full-time father of four and grandfather of five.