Here in the great state of Alabama there is a tradition of favoring and following one of the two state institutions of higher learning renowned for their prowess on the football field. Either you grow up roaring "Go Bama!" and "Roll Tide!" or you cry "War Eagle!" at the drop of a hat.
Now each season these two teams meet in the Iron Bowl to decide bragging rights for the following year...and the fans, especially during the week preceding that game, detest one another. Words are exchanged of a less than civil and pleasant nature between people who otherwise would consider themselves friends. Some family members will not speak to other family members pending the outcome of the contest and then only to jeer for at least a following month before cooler heads prevail...It takes on a life of its own for that limited season.
But if you happen to watch the game and pay attention to the players from both teams at its conclusion you'll see young men congratulating each other on a well fought campaign and note a general respect and even camaraderie in evidence. That's because they understand the nature of the contest in a way those cheering from the sidelines (many of whom never actually attended either university) appear unable to. They respect the passion and commitment of the other fellow, even while giving every ounce of their own determined effort to their particular cause.
It's a lesson I wish the two contesting political parties' rank and file could learn and emulate, that respect for a worthy if differing adversary, a recognition that men and women can honorably and utterly disagree, can fight with determination and passion over the outcome of a reasoned contest and still see in each other patriots and good Americans...that ours is a system that celebrates and respects the right to hold a contrary belief, prizes it almost as highly as we do our personal causes.
There's a lesson in that and a practice I think would benefit us all.
Now each season these two teams meet in the Iron Bowl to decide bragging rights for the following year...and the fans, especially during the week preceding that game, detest one another. Words are exchanged of a less than civil and pleasant nature between people who otherwise would consider themselves friends. Some family members will not speak to other family members pending the outcome of the contest and then only to jeer for at least a following month before cooler heads prevail...It takes on a life of its own for that limited season.
But if you happen to watch the game and pay attention to the players from both teams at its conclusion you'll see young men congratulating each other on a well fought campaign and note a general respect and even camaraderie in evidence. That's because they understand the nature of the contest in a way those cheering from the sidelines (many of whom never actually attended either university) appear unable to. They respect the passion and commitment of the other fellow, even while giving every ounce of their own determined effort to their particular cause.
It's a lesson I wish the two contesting political parties' rank and file could learn and emulate, that respect for a worthy if differing adversary, a recognition that men and women can honorably and utterly disagree, can fight with determination and passion over the outcome of a reasoned contest and still see in each other patriots and good Americans...that ours is a system that celebrates and respects the right to hold a contrary belief, prizes it almost as highly as we do our personal causes.
There's a lesson in that and a practice I think would benefit us all.