Monday, December 13, 2010

A decade later

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the presidential election cliffhanger between George W. Bush and Al Gore. That event lies just on the other side of this generation's defining event, 9/11, and so seems like a story from a bygone age. Back then, presidential debates were about Social Security "lockboxes," not Transportation Security.

One thing was certain even then: ours is a deeply divided nation. Some of these differences are incompatible. We can only hope they are not irreconcilable. But a decade of events since this electoral standoff of hanging chads and battalions of lawyers would not seem to be encouraging.

I remember 10 years ago being proud of one thing: that America could still settle such differences peaceably, without tanks and militias in the streets. I pray that will continue to be the case as we confront the many deep problems that currently press down upon us.

No comments:

Site Meter