Respect, admiration

I read a bumper sticker that said, “Trump that b **** !” Wow. Republicans are obviously very angry. Many have called Hillary Clinton a liar, a murderer and basically a devil incarnate. I wonder how many foulmouthed, hateful Hillary-bashers have met this beautiful person. None would be my guess.

Based upon the first and last times I met Hillary Clinton, I only have respect, admiration and fondness for her.

The first time, I was sitting alone in a high school classroom. I was a rather sullen, somewhat lonely student. The summer before, my sister was killed by a drunk driver. I was full of guilt, anger and despair. Sitting alone, waiting for class to start, in walks a fellow student. With at least 30 empty seats, she could have sat anywhere. But she sat right next to me. She introduced herself and engaged me in animated conversation. She was cute, smart, outgoing and delightful. She was Hillary Rodham. She became one of the leaders of our student body. She gave me a feeling that maybe I can get through high school and maybe even enjoy it and prosper.

The last time I saw her, she and Bill attended a concert in Pine Bluff. I was surprised to see an old classmate married to the governor. I introduced myself as an old Maine South graduate, and she and Bill accepted me like I was an old friend. They even invited me to the mansion whenever I came to Little Rock. How kind, gracious and overwhelmingly friendly they both were. Regretfully, I never visited.

How much of a contrast these two wonderful people are to the foulmouthed, unpatriotic and slanderous folk who spew their poisonous tirades against them. They may not be perfect, but their enemies chill me to my soul. DAVID SCHRADER

Hot Springs