My name is Tony Noun and I was born in Lebanon to a Christian family. Lebanon was, and is, a Christian Nation. That almost changed in 1974 when the Muslims invaded. At the young age of 15, I joined the Lebanese army. Just as they are today in America, the Muslim invaders were hell bent on claiming Lebanon as a Muslim nation, and we were just as determined to repel them back to their God forsaken, Sharia compliant donkey camps. We struggled against their brutality for 6 long years when something happened that would give us hope. Thousands of miles away in a country called America, Ronald Reagen was elected President. Soon after his election, which is still celebrated today in Lebanon, money and weapons started coming in to the Lebanese army and our successes began mounting.
After 4 years of military service and an honorable discharge, I married my high school sweetheart and decided I would go to America and start my family there. Having watched westerns and John Wayne as a child, I wanted to go to Texas, the land of horses, oil wells, and cowboys.
After arriving in Harris County, and as luck would have it, I landed a job in a gas station (I know, I know). I worked 7 days a week and would often sleep in the store in the storage area. Although I was fluent in French and Lebanese, English was difficult to learn, but I studied daily and mimicked phrases and words until I could master the language. After 4 years of working in the store, I had saved enough money to get a loan and buy the store. I ran the store for several more years, then I decided to open a car dealership. Everything was working as planned and I was living the American dream. I participated in the community, I voted, I paid taxes, I went to church, and all was well…so I thought. In 2008, the economy crashed and those of us not in the ultra wealthy elite status suffered. I lost several million dollars as well as property and assets. I felt like the world was closing in on me, but my faith and family pulled me through. After the recession, I rebuilt my business, and today it is even bigger than I could have imagined.
So back to the story…In 2014, I ran for State Representative in my district, HD150. My opponent in that race was Debbie Riddle,. I knew I did not have a political advantage, and I also knew I did not look like a typical American, but I had no idea what I was in for. From the announcement of my candidacy, I faced an onslaught of horrible accusations and slanderous words that reminded me of when the Muslims invaded Lebanon. Mrs. Riddle accused me of being a Muslim, even though I told her I was not, and showed her the Cross I wear. She publicly and privately accused me of being the very enemy that tried to burn my 1500 year old family church, my hometown and kill my family. Mrs. Riddle publicly and privately told people I was a thug and a thief, even though I have donated to Christian and Republican charities and causes for 20+ years. Mrs. Riddle publicly and privately accused me of being in some sort of mafia, even though I am a family man who loves Christ, my family, and America above all else. Mrs. Riddle grabbed my shirt at a polling location and told me to go back to my country, even though I am a proud American. Mrs. Riddle, even though your heart is filled with hate and rage against me and my family, for whatever ill conceived notion, I forgive you.
I have laid awake for many nights over the past 2 years thinking of the horrible things Mrs. Riddle has said and done towards me and my family, and I write this letter not as condemnation, but as a way to finally close this chapter of my life both spiritually and psychologically. I no longer have resentment toward you Mrs. Riddle, only pity. Louis Guthrie once said, God does not offer free passes just because the lie was for political purposes. I believe that 100{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}, but I also believe in forgiveness. May the Lord forgive you and be with you.
Tony Noun
Note: Tony Noun challenged Rep. Debbie Riddle in the 2014 Republican Primary.