“What is dangerous is not that people have serious differences. It is the tone—the snarl, the scorn, the lacerating despair.”
–James Mattis, “The Enemy Within,” The Atlantic, December 2019

Suppose we stop treating supporters of Donald Trump like ignorant fools? Suppose we stop calling the impeachment inquires a witch hunt?

Suppose we listen with sympathy for those touched by the need for women to control their own lives? Suppose we listen with equal sympathy for those touched by vulnerable life in the womb?

Why do some call those who testified in the impeachment hearings unpatriotic? They were serving their country. Honest disagreement with conclusions is acceptable. Insulting the integrity of the witnesses is not.

Concern with the source of news is valid. Calling respectable newspapers “fake news” is not.

Yes, of course extremists exist, but the opinions of the vast majority of citizens spring from reasonable assumptions, results of needs as they see them. The differences are honest, not perfect, always in need of constant revision, but worthy of honest consideration, not condemnation.

As Mattis goes on to say: “Virulent, take-no-prisoners attacks on the media, the judiciary, labor unions, universities, teachers, scientists, civil servants—pick your target—don’t help anyone.”