"There can yet be a silver lining to the Tucson massacre if we stop trying to exploit it for political purposes and instead seize upon it as a fresh chance to change our culture of violence — too much hate, too many guns, too many killings. The bitterness in politics is part of this larger trouble. There is no evidence it prompted Loughner — and the finger pointing should stop — but we knew long before Tucson it must be cleaned up. In coming weeks, President Obama should invite GOP leaders as well as chieftains of entertainment and news, the NRA and others to see if we can reach a higher plane. America will always be rough and tumble — that's in our DNA — but generations past have proven we can also be a noble people." - David Gergen, as quoted in Time magazine.
I could not have said it better. I applaud Gergen's suggestion that our leaders come together and work towards greater civility. Glass-half-full perspectives are wonderful. Look, I like Mr. Gergen immensely. I think he is articulate, intelligent, and honest. However, the challenge is determining what will push us towards greater nobility and away from harsh rhetoric and water cooler snipes at our fellow American for simply thinking, looking, or talking differently from one another. Perhaps my glass is only a quarter full (in more ways than one, I'm sure some of you will say), but I think it's a tough road. Duplicity at the top tends to make its way down. Or is it the other way around? Hollywood and DC surely have their moments of almost unfathomable misbehavior, but there are certainly more of us than there are of them. Bottom up, I say, is where it has to start. Where does it end?
Look, when a politician is out of line, forgiveness is certainly the mark of a decent human being. It should be exercised. However, firm, and regrettably, permanent censure must be the action. There should be consequences. It seems that too many lofty persons just simply walk the plank and land in, well, a spa as opposed to the crushing tide of the ocean below. It sends a mixed message. It amplifies the notion that there is a huge double standard in this country. It undermines the notion of nobility. It forestalls civility in its tracks.
As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. Don't forget to call those darn representatives about term limits. It'll do us good!
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