Healing

A slave and his master found themselves one day with the opportunity to talk freely and openly about a number of things, and the conversation eventually turned to the justice or injustice of owning other human beings. The slave, desiring his own freedom, spoke eloquently and at length on the God-given rights of all men and women, quoted scripture on the meek inheriting the earth, doing unto the least of these, and loving one's neighbor. The master, needing the labor of the slave, quoted scripture as well, urging him to gracefully submit, explaining that there was a natural order to things that neither of them should dare challenge, pointing out that the economy and welfare of the region depended on the institution. The slave pointed out their similarities, talked of the hopes and dreams he could never pursue without his freedom. The master claimed he was hurt and offended, as he had always done his best to provide for the slave and had never been particularly cruel. They argued late into the night and into the next night, but neither was able to convince the other of his position. The debates grew more and more heated and a tension grew between them. Finally the master, heading the situation off before things became intolerable, told the slave that it was time to agree to disagree and move on.
Following a campaign of furious debate and bitter division, the kind-hearted figurehead of compassionate conservative has reached a hand out and offered a soothing message: it's time to heal the wounds, it's time to come together as a nation. It's time to agree to disagree and move on. Those of us on the losing side of the last scrape know what that means.
The opening editorial in the newest issue of "The Nation" puts it nicely. "TV anchors and the candidates themselves call for a new civility and ask the public to 'come together' as one people. Pay no attention."
When Mr. Bush offers his version of America coming together, we're better off choosing to stay divided.