PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.
The New Year has arrived and, with it, from some quarters, we are hearing predictions of gloom and doom, especially with regard to the federal government.
But, if you want to have a good experience on this first day of 2020, you might take time to watch a You Tube video on a startling development in Congress. A group of about 25 members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans — gather once every week, at an early morning hour, for prayer and discussion, including, even, singing a hymn together.
Incredible.
Two senators were interviewed by a CBS reporter for the interview that made it onto You Tube:
- Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware
- James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma
Even as various issues – impeachment, abortion, gun control, homosexual rights, race relations, immigration and others – threaten to tear the country apart, not to mention create dissension in Congress, Coons and Lankford and a number of other colleagues have found a way to talk to each other and to listen, even amidst the din of dissension.
Hearing them discuss key traits that should mark Members of Congress sparks hope that there is a better way to govern and be governed.
Humility.
Mutual respect.
Listening.
Finding middle ground (that doesn’t force compromising values).
Both Coons and Lankford, from different spots on the political spectrum, not to mention very different states, criticize what they call “the cottage industry“ of lobbying groups in the Nation’s Capital that exist to spread disagreement and dissension, not find solutions to pressing national problems.
Those groups benefit when problems are not solved.
It’s time, they say, for a different approach and, without suggesting that they have a set of magic answers, they advocate “living your faith.” Or, they would add, if you don’t have what could be called “faith,” live with respect for fellow human beings as human beings.
Seeing and hearing Coons and Lankford on You Tube was a great way for me to start this New Year.
It could be for you, too.
It only takes 30 minutes and it will be time well spent.
Here is the identifier to access the video:
Perspective from the 19th Hole 