So. let's bring this blog back from the dead! As I'm feeling a bit philosophical, and political, I thought I'd give this another go...
Today Donald Trump was sworn in amidst protests that turned to riots. Without peaceful, reasoned discussion, we can never hope to rise above the din and forge a path forward. Any protest message or hope for successful resolution is lost to violence.
I was not a fan of either candidate, though I frankly felt more concern about Trump. I think he's a loose canon kind of terrible, whereas Hillary would have been a predictable kind of terrible. **But neither one would have had sole responsibility for healing our nation.**
We have, all of us (yes including me), let it come to this. We are quick to believe the worst of each other, instead of giving anyone the benefit of the doubt. We jump to conclusions and move on, only dwelling on those bits of information that are salacious. If they confirm our existing beliefs, we assume they are true, but if they conflict we call it Fake News and ignore them.
We must ascend above a belief based discussion, to one based on knowledge. We must accept and consider, but not fall prey to our emotions. We must use reason, and fact, and let history be our guide.
We must assume that, at their core, every American and every aspiring American have a fundamental desire to see this country succeed in our great experiment. If someone is here, in this great land, it is in their own self interest to see it succeed. They may disagree passionately with us on how best to do that, but that is where the discussion comes in.
Only once we begin to talk *with* one another, and listen to one another, can we begin to heal. Only once we truly consider what our fellows say and think and feel, can we come together. Only once we learn to admit that we may be wrong and that others may learn and change their minds, can we truly heal our nation. And only once we finally believe in the fundamental goodness of each other can we form our most perfect union.
