[repeat from August 20, 2016]
Things I hope Americans will not completely forget:
– The sound of a genuine and specific apology
– That an apology doesn’t erase consequences
– The basics of our system of government
– That tough choices in the short term are a part of long term success
– The sound of respectful public rhetoric
– The sound of the whole truth and humility when faced with contradictory facts
– The importance of collaboration, productive compromise and empathy for the needs of others
– Nobody gets everything they want all the time
– That you can win an argument but lose a friend
– That God is neither a member of a party, surrogate of a candidate nor promoter of human governments
– That experience and competence are good things
– That when you pick a fight with the people you need most, you have created your own problems
– That the world watches and forms opinions based on what public rhetoric and how we behave abroad
– That we live in relative prosperity and safety in the richest, most powerful country on earth
– That to be polite, kind and sensitive to one’s impact on others is not ‘political correctness’
– That it’s not okay to exploit the misfortunes of others to benefit ourselves
– That it’s very difficult to become a citizen or green card-holder in the US
– That exponentially more crimes and attacks are prevented than committed
– Life is not a win or lose proposition. In the end, we all die (sorry to ruin the surprise)
