Alesha Burks and Travis Ruiz

00:00 That works. I am 41 years old. Today is Thursday, July 16th, 2020. I am in Abilene Texas and my relationship to my conversation partner is that we are no SS conversation partner.

00:17 My name is Travis and I am 30 years old and it is Thursday July 16th 2020. I'm in Abilene, Texas and my relationship to Alicia is she is my OSS conversation partner.

00:32 Thanks guys. Okay. So the first question whoever wants to go first and feels like they want to answer this first if you can explain your life story to your conversation partner in 5 minutes or less.

00:49 Are we doing ladies first again Travis? Of course messed up. So you already apologized. I have three children. I have one grandchild of mine own. I had my first son when I was 16 years old. I got married to his father when I was 18. I finished high school. I had a career ideas childcare for 10 years and then I went back to school and got my degree in early childhood education and I wish I never used and now I work for that you need my love being a mom and watching my children grow and grandparenting is like legit the best gig ever never thought I would say that I mean always

01:49 Children, but it really is a promise and so that's kind of I still take care of my parents when they need help and just love doing what I do.

02:02 Awesome, I grew up in a small town, Oklahoma. I attended West Texas A&M University. I'm in my fourth TV station job.

02:16 I have one brother three nieces and I just bought my built and bought my first house and

02:31 I have no kids and am single and

02:38 Yeah, enjoy your friends and family.

02:43 I'm hearing notifications from someone's on so if it's possible to turn those off that would be awesome. But I'm curious if you both would want to follow up by answering if there's a specific memory you have like the first time that you became aware of politics or political beliefs around you.

03:05 I'll say I've always been interested in politics. I have always wanted to be a news anchor since I was a child. I think I was about four years old and I was always watching CNN. I was very interested in news and politics. So, you know, I've learned I could say every president United States since I was like 6 years old. I've been able to say every Amendment the Constitution since I was like 7, so I grew up just enthralled and politics on it, which I think is a reason of why I like, you know, I'll be sent in twos is because we sent her our lives just so much around politics. So yeah, so I think I'm just really early on. I don't know that there was like a certain moment or anyting

03:53 You know, I can remember what I think it's obviously because I grew up watching the news with my parents and you know up in the new president sent that poor thing. So just always

04:10 Do you remember it like what created that strong desire for you to have memorized all the Amendments and all of those things like why was that important to you? Why was it important to me? You know, I don't know. It was just always instilled in me to like.

04:32 To know as much as I could so to know like our rights and endospores the things I always just was like I always thought that was just really really important. My dad was born and raised in Mexico. So he really really instilled in me like a block from Erica and you know, he wanted me to me and my brother to live a better life. And so I just found found it always has been since I was always that perfect kid in school. So I don't know I just always learned and which is part of it like it's a stuck with me.

05:11 What about you, Alicia?

05:14 Just happened. Did you turn yourself off?

05:20 Can you not hear it?

05:24 Can you hear us Alicia? Yes, I can hear you washed you so I guess my first time to really remember anything about politics. Yay. When I like learning about it in school and then also probably kind of bigger things like the whole Clinton administration situation in the things that went on one side. And I know my my grandparents Roy's die-hard Democrat, but other than things of that nature there.

06:02 Really was it and it wasn't until I got older that I started really paying attention and reading that, you know watching who the candidates were in and I got old enough to vote particularly really caring about what the outcome was.

06:20 How do you spell obviously Clinton was a bedtime because you know, I remember obviously it's like that was one of the first political then I can remember is the the you-know-what every Wednesday stop in a big deal for everyone but then right being honestly probably my first time that I remember feeling a little disenchanted with weather. I mean, it wasn't Clinton as a president because I think you can have

07:00 You can do good things for the United States without necessarily making good last voices all the time. But I remember being feeling kind of disenchanted as a child because it just felt like we were wasting time. We were wasting taxpayers money when the outcome was didn't change.

07:20 Outkast somewhere to that with the whole Trump thing when everything was just kind of going when everyone knew that even if it passed in one area it wasn't going to pass in both. So

07:33 Just the idea that

07:37 We waste a lot of taxpayer dollars and now as an adult with a whole Trump thing there was there was things that was sitting on the table, you know that needed to be funded. It weren't getting funded because we were too busy.

07:50 Doing something that wasn't going to make a difference. Does that make sense? And so that was

07:55 Yeah that and I remember feeling like that at that point. So you will why are we doing this? Why are we who cares what he did with that girl. I mean you don't even saying let's just get back to business. And so yeah, but social media obviously has made it like even crazier, right? So it's on steroids just changed everything and everyone is an expert now.

08:22 I can only imagine if we had social media back then. Oh my God.

08:29 Are there any events in your lives that has created like your political beliefs or change your political beliefs?

08:43 I mean 911 obviously was a huge deal. That's probably at the biggest event that we that I would through.

08:53 I you know, obviously everyone thinks about 9/11 and

08:59 What is now regarded as maybe not the best decision by President Bush which is you know to invade when they really didn't have weapons of mass destruction. I'm so that was kind of you know, the big deal back then I don't know how to change my beliefs because like I said, I just have a really hard time even for me my own opinion because I am such of the mindset of I've always thought like I can see both sides of this. So I oh I never really know how to light think it is that makes sense. And so it's always been a struggle for me to see even like go and vote because it's like, you know, I can see why you would do that, but I can see where you wouldn't send so, you know, it's, you know straight down the middle. You don't know what to do. So but like 9/11 was a time that all bees the United America and we were all for protecting America. So I would say, you know, that was probably a big big

09:56 I did, you know, I guess you said personal event and that really wasn't a personal event, but it became personal for everyone in America. Right? So, you know, I've been really fortunate that I haven't been struck by hardship like a lot of people maybe with covid-19 or something that you know that their lives are livelihood are really affected. So, you know, there are people out there who you know lost their jobs. And yes, they want their Pro, you know getting help and that sort of thing in their their political opinions of have changed because I fortunately haven't had any life-altering type things. You know. I haven't so not a personal thing.

10:39 And I kind of I mean the ones that have affected has been kind of one of those people that I am not die hard one thing or another I am whoever the best candidate is. So it's not for me. It's not a matter of like my grandparents. Like I told you I was like Diehard didn't care what they like the Democratic party. You're not the person running. They were voting for the Democratic party cuz that's what they did. I've never been of that believe. I've always been. Okay. So, let's see who the best candidate is this going to do what we need to have done in America. And so I can't think of something. I like him. I mean 911 kind of United us I think a little bit more as a nation but

11:33 It may be made us a little bit more open-minded to other people but

11:39 I'm in a mad. I don't really have a memory of a personal event that made me think. Wow. This is you know, where I stand now.

11:51 So sounds like both of you like to stay open to different perspectives and different opinions. I'm curious how that's received. If you talk about politics with friends or family if they are if they align with that or are like very strong on certain ways all types like, yes, you could you have to choose the people to talk to you about that because

12:27 Dipped ethical and filling to her. It's like religion and politics, you know you those are like very private. I think they should be private things all you know all the times and so it we all have our opinions but because of once again social media Everyone's an expert and I don't have to share everything when in reality. I don't think that's

12:48 Maybe the best thing on so I can draw it. Like I have never really been a fan of like talking politics, you know as you do older and I'm sure at least so you agree as you get older your friend circle gets smaller, right? And so, you know, the point is is that typically you become friends with the people who align with your views you respect the morals and Laurels and values and everything, right?

13:18 At the same time, you know, what is healthy to have that discourse if you will, which is it, you know a great thing about colleges that you have people with different backgrounds coming together, and I was talking to other day.

13:33 Oh.

13:34 You know when I was young I grew up a very

13:41 Normal, see if you will live. I didn't grow up poor by any means, but I didn't grow up. Rich where as you know, there are a lot of people, you know, your stay friends if I was to have started school at SMU in Dallas, you know people pull up and you know, their Porsches and and Range Rovers and you know, I really didn't even know what those things were cyber friends who went to SMU and she was just a normal kid to if you will end.

14:11 You know, she was laughed at because she didn't have like a Tory Burch purse she had you know, a little Satchel from Target and so it's just funny how like, you know, obviously people are different which is the point of this conversation. I guess people are different and you but you end up being friends with I think your Delight people people who you know, you can be friends obviously with people like, you know, someone friend since his anti-abortion are pro-abortion, they can be friends and has them that you know, sometimes I can be but

14:49 Yeah, I think I want is you and as far as my friend, I think everyone knows that like I'm not a I'm a huge political person. But like I don't typically like we don't share closet all day, but we're not going to be like, oh, I hate Trump or I hate by then or you know, all that sort of stuff. So

15:10 So I would agree and and it's the same time as I've gotten older. I have learned to be more tolerant. I guess I would say when I was younger. I was my beliefs were pretty hardcore and they were they were what they were I was taller enough people but I was very very black-and-white. I have learned as I've gotten older. There's a lot of great in in life and that I don't have to agree with everything everybody does so by me being so young when I got married and then doing my own business. I didn't really get out in the world until I was about your age. I was I cuz I check online classes until I was Thirty and then I went when I turn 30 for some reason so I'm going to go do something else.

16:10 Decided that I was going to go finish my school finished at McMurray and I got a job not doing talk to you anymore. I said I don't want to be my own boss be more I'm done with this. And that was when I really started seeing and realizing that people didn't always have the same opinion as me. Like they didn't understand that just because I meant it in a loving way. It was always received and said that was when I started really noticing that

16:42 People don't have the same work, ethic people don't have the same personal style. And so I guess I've gotten older between 30 and 44. He was my that my divorce. So again something about 10 don't know what's going to happen in 50.

16:59 I am

17:01 How to describe it I am much more tolerant of other people's opinions and their thought and so yes, most of my friends. I've never been big on having a lot of friends. So my circle has always been pretty tight. I've never been very trusting of noise been kind of closed off in terms of really truly trusting people and having people in my circle and so but opposite again, I'm always backwards my circle has broadened a little bit more in terms of being friends with people because I am more tolerant I have to sit back and okay, so we have different opinions. We have different Lifestyles. If you ask my opinion, I'm going to give it to you but I'm not always going to just throw it out there. I'm like you I don't unless you really throw it out there and you really want to talk politics. I'm not going to I'm not going to do it because you're right. It's it's it's a sore topic same thing with my Christianity in my belief system.

18:01 I want and I don't know if y'all are where you stand on the whole religious Spectrum, but I'll make this brief. I hope that my light shines enough that I don't have to go around talking about it all the time because a lot of people to talk about it all the time. They're talking about it for a reason and

18:25 Not always a good one. And so, you know, I'm saying of my favorite quotes. It's by Saint Francis of Assisi and he said preach the gospel at all times if necessary use words.

18:47 And I love that so it's kind of just what you said like, you know, you don't need to use words. Your actions should sell right. So I think that's a perfect way to just I love that too. And I love that like an ass like it's kind of like when your parents, you know taught you like you speak when spoken to.

19:09 You know you should you should there's something to be said about being quiet sometimes right? And I've not always always been that way and you know, I'm a very much what is introverted extrovert or whatever. So, yeah, so it is hard, you know, but

19:30 I think the world needs to listen more.

19:34 Angry cuz you can find out so much about somebody just by hearing them not listening not just listening to them. Not just hearing so Will Rogers said something to be if I don't know why I'm putting so many people today, but Will Rogers said he didn't like a man so he got to know him better.

19:54 I like that auto to it's just you don't know people in.

20:00 Have there been times another of your lives where you felt like the top belief wasn't as important as speaking up.

20:11 Do that one more time if you don't mind.

20:15 Maybe rephrasing. So have you ever felt like it sounds like you're both kind of sharing that you would prefer to listen and share things if it's a space where that's on Ted and encourage, but have you ever felt like he went against my belief and stood up for something or spoke out against something even if you felt like it might not be received well,

20:40 Yeah.

20:45 You know, this is obviously getting a little bit deeper, but I filled that like

20:52 You know, I'm all about loving each other and loving humanity. And so, you know, I will go against that my life personal rule like I mean, I'm still not going to be the person who like is out here like protesting. I'm does just not me and I respect that people are but I will say something.

21:15 Or like I don't know like I specifically like gay rights. I will like human rights those sorts of things Bach lives matter. I'll tell you like I meant I'm not going to be like I said, I'm not going to be the one but I feel that like I would those are like different those aren't political things to me. Like they are they become political.

21:40 But an even mask-wearing to tell you the truth, but that's become stupidly political in my opinion when in reality it's a minor inconvenience, but like

21:53 You know, I I I believe in wearing masks because I listen to medical professionals number one, you know, I'm going to respect someone who isn't but I am not afraid of like

22:06 Then I was saying like I'm going to wear past like I'm going to where I can just you know, our own president said that wearing a mask is people saying that they're against him. So even though it looks like he's backtrack a little bit on that but I'm guessing those are some things that I think it would change my mentality about that.

22:29 Yeah, I asked.

22:32 Attend especially when I was younger. I was really non-confrontational. It would take a lot for me to speak out but there have been times when I feel

22:45 Kind of pushed into a corner like something is being talk poorly about an example. And again, I'm sorry that this is a really just ramen and I apologize if it offends anybody it shouldn't it's just a story but I I distinctly remember my parent my mother and my sister is giving me a really hard time because when I married the first time I took on his religion, I was raised Baptist and it came from your Christ and they really gave me a hard time. Like it was ridiculous. He was always oh, well, you know you texted me and you know all the time and that her today and they finally said at one point I'll never forget this conversation because we were in a public space and again, I'm a pretty private. I am not big on toting. Hey girl everyday I got to work and so they were like

23:45 We take communion and I said to him I said as well it should be whether you take it once a day once a week or once a year. It doesn't matter how many times you take communion if you're doing it in his mind. It should always be important and it was a time and again in this very public space. We were we were out eating and if people were watching us and there was a racing students. I'm sitting at a table, but it was it was important enough to me that I had that I had to stand up and I know this is where I'm at. This is where I stand and so yeah, I do on occasion and I usually like I said, I usually have to kind of feel pushed but when I feel like

24:37 It's important enough. I do stand-up and I do say something and so

24:44 It is very well aware of it. Yeah, I know. I know exactly what you mean. You know, I'm Catholic and it's something that I've always struggled with if you will and now that I'm here in Abilene, which is full of Church of Christ. It's kind of a Down the odd man out now, right? So it's it's it's felt a little bit weird. And you know, I think it would be something similar to like what that would be I would feel the same way like provoke. It's almost like you're provoked into saying it right? It's like yeah, I think that's a good way of saying it but

25:26 I think that all translate back to your same attitude of like I'm for the right handed it back to politics cuz it's like you're not black and why you're going to like, you know, there's always I've always believed that there are exceptions to every Rule and so they really do has to be because the world is not black and white

25:49 Boys that mean it's kind of like I mean like abortion. I don't believe in abortion for myself. I don't believe that it should be treated willy-nilly, you know the form of birth control. However, I do know that there are times when things like that are necessary. Do you know what I'm saying that you can't you can't just look at someone and say you know what you should not do that. That is because I don't know that person story. I don't I don't know they're life. It's not my child. Guess what? It's not my job to judge and I can never claim to be that person. So I'm saying just because I don't just because I feel some way about the way I live doesn't mean that I have to throw myself under someone else.

26:39 Isn't it sad that someone might take those words? You just said and turn them into you are a baby killer or like your for abortion when in reality you and I both know that that's not the case at all. Cuz I felt I feel the same way. You know, I'm not that I don't know that that person shoes, right? You don't know what they're going through or like number one. I'm not a woman and I were talking about abortion. I'm not a woman in but I sure as heck don't want somebody tell me what I cannot do Channing will not do my body.

27:13 But then I might then I'm all in the government telling me to wear a mask. So I don't know I do not understand that either. It's just a safety precaution. I don't want your sneezes on me. I don't want your cops on me. Have y'all seen another stop it? But have y'all seen at Walmart? If you bought for prescriptions and like that be home right there, you know to keep us from getting germs on them nasty. You don't if you don't want to be second don't because I was waiting on my prescription and they had to go get it and I was looking at 5.

27:59 You know, I know everyone who has asked I love you because think about it. I mean, yes, if we all do the right thing if we all covered our mouths than we sneeze or we caught after you know, if we did everything in your hand and you know, it is masks is obviously very different than abortion because I think Mass wearing mask isn't just about me it's about you and me so. That's what makes it different and why I guess I I've made it okay in my mind that the government has told me to wear it but it's just like seat belts, right it make sense for me as logical. So okay wearing a mask.

28:53 She's their dreams from getting on me and my drums from getting on them there for underwear one.

29:00 And even if it doesn't work.

29:03 Like it's like a very minor inconvenience like just

29:08 You know and I'm a rule follower so late. I'm like a nut and that's what it all the boys. I've I'm just a rule follower it like, you know, I'm going to try to get the speed limit. I'm going to like I'm going to know, you know do illegal things because that's what I believe rules are there for a Reason by people smarter than me typically leave and don't want to follow

29:35 Oh.

29:40 I think that.

29:43 What being a legal marijuana and I'm not a pothead do not misunderstand. I've never smoked pot a day in my life. So I'm thought I don't want a breakfast with that. I'm not a rule follower. But the idea that it is illegal in Texas when there are so many medical benefits at yeah, I think that was wanted for digimarcon 100% agree, especially because it's putting such a strain on our system number, you know, another thing for somebody medical medical uses but the strain it was in our system and the ridiculous enforcement that lick people who had marijuana are going to sue jail longer than people who molested kids. Do you know things like that is really there's not there's something not right with that and that's not political.

30:39 It's all right. I think that's a really good. I'm glad you brought that out. I wouldn't have thought of that and I'm not a pothead in anyway, either but I think and I think it's funny because like

30:51 People wants again would be like, oh she wants Anarchy. She's just a minute. It's a dick if the gateway drug for a you know, I mean, I love my one but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and do cocaine. I mean you're so right. Yeah, but yeah, but I think marijuana would be one of the first things I would do.

31:23 And

31:25 You know, I would say.

31:28 And maybe it's because my personal experience and I told you my dad was born and raised in Mexico when my dad was 17 years old. He walked across the border and snuck over. I think that there has to be control the Border but there should be a smarter more humane way of dealing with it.

31:47 I'm more legal approach to that would be really ideal on I have I know people who

31:57 Are very scared in living free scared life because they're not legal, but they contribute our society.

32:03 Very much. So and

32:06 You know in an Ideal World, you know, like what I want to Grant immunity to everyone here. Like I don't know like I would go that far. But like I just I want there to be a better pathway for folks to be

32:24 Legal and not be can you imagine like my dad told me like they would like like, you know, he's scared. He used to be scared to like drive down the road and there'd be a caught and that's not a way to live. Right just so I guess immigration like Let The Border like wide open but light do we really need this?

32:51 Den wall in two separate children from their mama's you know, the gentleman a while back and in he is I mean, he did the whole immigration thing and he did everything legally, but he needs the piston and he went to me before we ever received anything. He was really worried about it. He was like, I don't I don't want to ask for a certainty that I love America and I don't want to get assistance. If it means I'm going to have to be sent back and to me you just hurt my heart because this guy was he's done everything right? He's putting into the system. He's saying he's shouldn't when there are people that are living on the system did have no reason to live on the system.

33:50 I just see people I see and I see people in the password of our car AAA said that you're overqualified that it had too much money by I kid you not $0.25 or a dollar and I'm like and legitimately affected their life it cut them out of $2 on their budget cut them out of getting assistance of $144.

34:15 How is it? How does that work? How you doing today? And how?

34:20 I don't know. I just I think I think you're right. I think our system is broken and I think it needs to be fixed. So that the people that genuinely need the services and need the help. I can get them in the people that they should be out doing something have more of an opportunity. You know, I had a girl working for me and I will never I don't know that I'll ever forget this conversation man. She busted she she busted her about working for me everyday and I could not give her. Hours the nature of that particular Grant. I didn't have the money to give her. It was like $32 I think and she told me she said she said I got to figure something out. I would make more money sitting at home doing nothing and I make working for you. The reason I work for you to say cuz I love my job and I love working for you. You're a great boss, and I truly I mean because she had a heart for

35:20 The compassion and she was like, I'm love what I do and that's why I'm here but in all honesty, I've got we got to figure something out because I could make more money sitting at home and that idea and it's somebody

35:34 This is not a way to balance that out. So that the people that are working hard that are trying to do something with their lap or not able to really saddens me. It really is frightening to me. Something's broken and it's simple things are happening now, like if so broken, especially now for covid-19, like people are making like so much more money on unemployment than they would if they could go get a job. So I would say thank you in an hour as opposed to going and working a job where I make minimum wage.

36:12 Can you be my mom not at all? I mean hit it makes good sense for your family cuz you have at the end of the day. You have to make about your family.

36:25 Yep, that's right. I figured everything boils down to just being human and

36:31 Remembering that about each other, right?

36:34 I would agree with that.

36:38 I'm curious if there is if there was like one thing that you would change about how our political system works right now. I know there's like it's if super flawed so that's a hard question to answer. But if there was like one small change that you could make about how politics operates right now, what would it be at 1?

36:59 Electoral college.

37:06 I would absolutely agree with that. I would that in the idea that

37:14 I think sometimes we miss out on some good candidate because of lack of funding to be able to support their campaign. I wish that there was a way that you could hear people's you could hear everyone without having that hinder people because you know again political non-political. I wonder how we got to the place that we're at. I keep looking for us to get a really strong candidate. I'm not saying anything about fighting or anything about time, but just to get a really strong something that somebody can get everybody can stand behind. When was the last time we had set a president that everyone went that's it. That's all God.

37:57 Is there a it has been a while?

38:08 Like, you know, I think you know without sounding too political. I think Obama had a lot of the qualities of that leader.

38:21 You still was very partisan. But like when I say qualities, I think it's obviously like, you know charismatic.

38:29 And you know, he came from nothing and became something you know.

38:36 Someone who had a heart a heart in like so I would say that like your charisma it because people what he what he did and why he what I think is because he was motivated people and he and he was what I think a leader should be in many acids in many Realms which is you know, you rally people together, and he he really I think spoke well and eloquently and but you have some time I'll be seeing everyone has their shortfalls. But so I think someone who was just feeling and kind of like what Lisa was saying, like, maybe it's not someone who

39:19 Is a millionaire or you know, someone who's like us who you know, literally literally just knows what it's really Lashley like to be where we are right now, which is the majority of America.

39:36 So someone who would be more relatable to majority of the population has Donald Trump know now, you know like and then when you and then the problem is if you know, when you have people like that there's just conspiracy theories and then you know is Biden connected to the store stop method to Russia and you know, it did just at all those people with all that money. It seems like they're always in some Scandal some deines the Clinton Dynasty or like, you know, the New World Order Lord knows what you know,

40:15 Do we have 10 minutes left? And I'm curious if there is something that after speaking to each other now for 40 minutes if there's something that you want to know about each other or wanted to ask each other.

40:36 You think

40:39 I guess I would be curious if I know we talked about like you friends and stuff. But like, you know with being from a different denomination in being an Abilene very conservative America. It seems as though like your beliefs are very much more centered than the rest of the world around us, right so

41:03 Does it like bother you to like you hear a lot of the hate that I hear?

41:12 Lick it up again in private personal conversations iambic.

41:22 Being predominantly Church of Christ

41:27 Church of Christ has has gathered themselves a bad name because of their very sponch very hardcore strict minded beliefs. I can't see how many jokes I've heard. You know, we're in heaven. Don't let them know. We're here. I mean because I consider myself any more Progressive. I don't know that I'll be honest. I don't consider myself to be any dump denomination. I am Christian. I am I am a follower of Christ. I am not necessarily and no I don't think that one particular religion is going to heaven and the rest of us aren't because I don't think it's where you go. I think it's very your heart is so

42:18 There's my personal opinion on that. But now there is a lot of hate there's a lot of hate or ugly enough for each other, which I find really ridiculous because

42:33 Where all can you go to church and sit on a few and listen to the word of God and not walk away with love in your heart. That is that is where my my youth and my I don't understand how people believe that way. I know people believe differently than me where stuff like that kind of comes back into play.

42:54 Because to me that's very fake and I am probably one of the realest people I know I am if I tell you this is where I stand for us and that's it is who I am. I'm not going to give you a it's not how I operate and so

43:11 Yeah.

43:13 It is so sad to be around so much hate right just the world and it's not just Abilene or Texas by any means.

43:24 But there's just so much hate everywhere and I'll tell you in a being in my profession the media.

43:31 The hate that we endure is just become unreal and truly overwhelming.

43:38 To you know in the last week. I've been told I'm going to hell I've been told you know, we I mean literally yeah, you should see the Facebook messages. We did on a daily basis about us being in a fake news or work. We're covered covering the the covered by iris is a is a scam and you know all of this. So it is sad to be a victim of it if you will because I didn't wake up one day and be like, you know, what I'm going to do, you know, I just took a call from Nancy Pelosi and she wants me to pray that you know, and I believe it's like people think that so and so it is hard as hard for me to like. I've been hey and sometimes a jerk to me and let that's why you know, you have to keep yourself free from that because then you'll become like rude and I don't like the last person I want to be is like real.

44:38 Inpatient at it's it's hard. It's hard.

44:42 How to do with that the bus thing I can tell you in regards to that is a mantra that my husband started singing to me and I firmly believe small-minded people live small-minded love and people that hate are usually miserable people. So the best way to combat that is with joy and love and I hate that you and I should have that y'all go through that kind of Ridiculousness with people on a regular basis read the comments on Facebook. It's it's quite horrible and it's my profession just like, you know, they're people attack police for this sort of thing. I don't deserve that not all police officers are bad that sort of thing. I mean are there journalist that are like, you know,

45:42 Bias, yes, but like little all Abilene. You know, I'm your friend in your neighbor. I chair box Community. I don't want to you know, you know, there's a mass protests happening today outside our TV outside of ktab. It's a they're protesting. It's an anti mask movement. So

46:05 George Washington, they just they don't want the government to mandate masks. And so they're going to be out there and some of them have even joked about bringing bricks and joking about coffee on everyone so funny joke, that is majorly not cool.

46:25 This sad

46:27 Wow, no clue blame you and you know, I'll tell you we really do try to make it our mission that you know, no matter what's happening. We're going to act like I want to tell some positive stories to because of the same time, you know this they're positive things happening all around us and I find it my duty to try to send a light to on those but at the same time we have to be real right now and I agree and I and I hate it that I'm one of those ostrich people. I I watch in in passing as I'm getting ready in the morning and I watched as I'm getting ready for bed and then I get in bed and I watch a movie because

47:18 I just I do what I have to do. I will I look at bigcountryhomepage. I kind of followed some of the stories on there. I mean, I just kind of I don't I don't dwell on it because I think if I dwell on it, I think I'll kind of donut and so I figure I'm kind of crazy enough as it is, I don't need any help.

47:42 I love that. I love it.

47:45 Any last questions or comments?

47:53 I will say Leah. This is really been enjoyable.

48:00 Maybe I was negative thinking about it. Like I was just like a little be okay, but like

48:06 It's been a pleasure.

48:08 I'm kind of curious like what if you had any fears about having this conversation what might those fears have been?

48:16 I was afraid of

48:20 Confrontation and Hound to handle that appropriately and professionally and with a kind approach. I didn't know I didn't know who I was going to be talking to you and send you some people we can talk about this. Some people are kind of

48:37 Strong in Russian their opinion on you and you have to believe and I didn't want to have to be like he's held I'm done. And so that was my fear me to honestly like I don't know like I mean, I don't didn't don't know if the tremendous amount of storycorps. But but like I literally had like a vision of like myself screaming at the computer screen and like I don't know if I could that's how I thought I was in the end up being lied or like me being so offended like I pictured myself becoming so offended and pissed at something like that's literally what I was like stare. And I was like what I want I want to do with my day.

49:18 No, I don't know you man. I was the same way and I don't know what how you fix that. But I guess maybe if I had spent a little bit more time.

49:30 Researching then I would have been like okay because I'll be honest. I thought like when you put those first class ends up on my I don't really have that much to say like

49:42 But then we just start talking and it kind of worked, right?

49:50 And maybe it is because baby and I can tell that me and you are Kindred Spirits in a in a certain way, you know what I mean? So maybe that's why

50:06 All right. I'm going to turn the recording off but y'all can stay here.