Thursday, November 10, 2016

HOW DO WE GO FORWARD?

Wouldn't it be great if the two people who ran for the presidency of the United States would take to a platform somewhere today, stand side by side and say to America,  
"The two of us disagree on just about every issue facing our country today.  This will not change.  We will daily take our stand and fight for what we believe to be the good fight.  Today, however, we stand in solidarity as Americans.  We confess our country is not perfect.  We acknowledge that we are not perfect.  Yet, we love this country, and today we are calling for a new way of being in America.  Don't let your convictions go.  Fight the good fight but remember we are Americans all. We are a people of law.  We have a constitution.  We don't have to agree with each other but we have a constitution."
There is a great line from the 1995 movie, "The American President," where president Andrew Shepherd (played by Michael Douglas) addresses the American people.  He says to them, to us,
America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. 
American is in a world of hurt and if ever there were a time for her leaders to step up and lead it is now.  Israelmore Ayivor said,
“Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not a reserved position for a particular group of people who were elected or appointed, ordained or enthroned. Leadership is self-made, self-retained, self-inculcated and then exposed through a faithful, sincere and exemplary life.”

I love this country, warts and all, and I hope, even pray, that somehow, someway, we will stand strong in the face of adversity and exercise "advanced citizenship."

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