Getting Beyond Stupidity

I read a news alert that stated that Barack Obama met with his enemy. I was taken aback. I had no clue as to who is enemy is.

As I read the short article the writer had investigated an address Obama visited and one would presume, had a conversation with the homeowner who, the news article labeled, is the enemy. The enemy's name is George Will. Somehow in all the universe, I cannot ever come to any clue that George Will and Barack Obama are enemies.

I keep wondering when we will be getting beyond the stupidity of seeing political opponents as enemies. I was educated in an environment where rational differences of thought were not only tolerated, they were embraced and appreciated. I do not see George Will and Barack Obama as enemies. They are both very thoughtful, very intelligent, well educated individuals who might disagree with each other on numerous topics, but never be disagreeable with each other. They are both comfortable in having conversations with people with whom they differ.

George Will, to me, is a refreshing contrast to so many we see these days. He has a great deal more in common with folks like Barack Obama with whom he disagrees than he would with most talk radio hosts with whom he might agree. Whereas most of the talk radio hosts speak endlessly about their thoughts, receive callers who agree with them, and shout out callers who disagree with them, George Will engages in thoughtful conversation. Will actually has the testicular fortitude to discuss things with people that so many on the radio lack.

Ideas are usually generated from the right and the left. Solutions come when people come together and actually solve the problems of the world. Will and Obama are not enemies; they are both men who value thought, embrace diverse opinions, and are willing to have conversations with each other. They represent, when they meet like this, what is best about our country.