Dear Hawkeye,

As an immigrant, especially one from former Soviet Union, voting is a privilege I never take for granted. I remember walking with my mom to a voting place in Minsk, and her rolling her eyes at the very idea of “choice.” This is why I have never voted a straight ticket, & never will. On the other hand, I don’t write about politics in my blogs because my hatred for the desiccated pumpkin full of wasps in the White House blinds me to rational thought. I admire the fact that you can pick a middle ground and write with conviction instead of malice. Someday, I also hope to achieve this.

Thank you for this.