Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
June 29, 2018 12:00 a.m.
On Wednesday, we will celebrate the United States of America.
On Thursday, we’ll likely return to dividing the state of America.
United States?
That has become an oxymoron of epic proportions, surpassing, I am afraid, military intelligence and Congressional ethics.
We’ll go back to throwing people out of restaurants because they don’t think like us. We won’t bake cakes for people who don’t act like us. We won’t laugh with people that don’t look like us. We won’t talk with others that don’t agree with us.
On Wednesday, I encourage you to reflect on what you are contributing to uniting the state of America.
As we churn through the calendar toward November’s election, the divisions will only grow deeper. Will you be a willing participant in those divisions? Will you vilify, demonize, and attack others that are different?
Like the national political parties, sadly, many people have developed litmus tests for their friendships and relationships. You supported the other candidate for office- I want nothing to do with you, you idiot! And the divisions grow deeper and the dialogue more heated.
When will the reasonable people rise to the challenge and acknowledge that this city, this county, this state, and this country has good Democrats and good Republicans. The voice of moderation has been stifled, and we are not better. But we do nothing but cower.
I retain a deep and sincere belief that we (nationally) are a good people. My pessimism regarding the state of America is overcome by my optimism for the United States of America.
The celebratory fireworks on Wednesday should be cheered before we inevitably return to the political fireworks on Thursday (and Friday and Saturday, and July and August and 2019 and 2020).
Happy birthday, USA.
Well said, Dale. I despair.
Thank you for this much needed reminder and for having the courage to say it.
Thank you Dale. I, too, wonder what has happened to listening and discussing instead of vilifying and name calling.
I agree Phyllis. This divide in our country scares me. Also thanks for your words Dale.
Thanks for your well needed reminder
Dale, you are spot on. Our country is so divided right now. We are spewing out so much hate in the media – it scares me. We are taught in the Bible to love one another even as Christ has loved us. We are imploding from within because of hatred. Now more than ever, we need to put God back into our Country.
Thanks Dale for a well-stated reminder of what independence and liberty are all about: social, political, and economic freedoms for all – coupled with the responsibilities and costs we must continually pay to partake and enjoy those freedoms. That entails treating those not of like-mind with openness, respect, a willingness to recognize that those with different nationalities, religions, political and social viewpoints have worth even if they are not those we would chose for ourselves, and a realization that our country’s unique strength is the product of our melting pot of diversity.
A voice of reason…we need more.
Thank you, Dale. Civil discourse and truth-telling are needed now, more than ever. I perceive you as promoting just those values in your work with the City.
Thank you so much for your comments. We so need to be open to others. I needed this! Pam Brown
Thank you for this timely, well argued statement. A voice of reason. I read this just after reading about the massacre at the Capital Gazette (newspaper) in Annapolis where I used to live. We do need common, civil discussion; we do not need more hate fueled murder.
Beautifully written
Thank you, Dale, for publishing this article, and thanks to all who have added comments. I believe there is a high level of concern about this situation throughout the country. We need to remind ourselves and others of the thoughts and principles expressed here on a daily basis. We have a lot to lose.
Speaking of Democrats and Republicans…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvZb8y7Cp7w