American Morning
What happened to national unity?
Remember how 9/11 drew us together as a country? We were unified – we would do anything for one another.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/11/wtc.flag.art.jpg caption="An American flag flies in front of the construction site of the former World Trade Center site on September 8, 2009."]
Now there's shouting, name-calling and even a congressman calling the president a liar. It's not that we've forgotten what happened on that day. The lingering pain makes that impossible for many of us.
But some visiting the 9/11 Tribute Center memorial in New York this week wondered if we remember enough. “This was a terrible time in our lives and we need to step back and remember and teach everyone what we saw,” says visitor Charlotte Harris.
Not just the pain, but what we shared. “From 9/11 it was everybody together and this health care thing has got everybody tore apart,” said Connie Shrock.
It leads us to wonder: Is unity still possible?
Watch: Where's the national unity? » 
“The vast majority of Americans want good for all,” says Republican Strategist Ed Rollins. “But I think at the end of the day, they now have a lot in their faces and there’s a lot of uncertainty and a lot about their own lives they don’t control.”
It has had a chilling effect on compromise and civility: if you don't agree with me – you're unpatriotic. Drew Westen, a psychology professor and Obama supporter, says the president, as the nation's moral authority, needs to step up.
“The problem with his approach has been when someone’s (un)civil, he’s been quiet. And that’s not leadership. That’s actually a failure of leadership.”
Westen says Mr. Obama lost an opportunity to lead during his speech to Congress by not addressing Representative Joe Wilson's heckling on the spot. He should have said, according to Westen: “This is an exact example of what I’m talking about. This isn’t how we solve our nation’s problems.”
For those committed to seeking common ground, the two dominant political parties are the source of much divisiveness. “The way the political process is structured relies on the society being fragmented and disunified,” says independent political activist Jackie Salit, president of independentvoting.org.
Although the intense patriotism felt by many after 9/11 may have receded, Salit says the key is for people to recognize their shared goals. “When people create together, one's ideological differences don't matter as much."
What do you think? Is national unity still possible?
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I agree with the view that the states have never been united. The old southern confederacy has continued to fight the civil war around their kitchen tables, television and state legislatures. The long simmering resentment of the influence of the northeastern liberal and Hollywood elites, the anti-intellectualism that celebrates the rude good old boy redneck dolts has steeped a poison brew. These people cling to their guns and bibles out of fear and xenophobia; they are the school bullies of the nation.
Their flag waving hand on the heart kind of patriotism is nothing more than mawkish nostalgia for an imaginary glorious past.
I think the USA needs to convene a national reconciliation commission to sort out her issues and heal the wounds.
Let us remember we are One Nation Under God: Pray for wisdom. In the words of Mother Teresa: "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."
" If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
"Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world."
"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go."
"Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."
What happened to America's unity?! Nothing. It was never here! When money, party, and race comes before country, there can be no unity. And those 3 things have ALWAYS come before country.
Unity you say? Like we had during 9/11? That was in New York,
Boston, Los Angeles, parts of Pennsylvania, and DC where people are generally respectful of one another's views even if they disagree. Like we had during the subsequent quest for weapons of mass destruction?
It's obvious to everyone that there is a "double standard" when it
comes to Obama, NOT for lack of a better word.
The same double standard we had with 9/11 vs Katrina.
it's the American Way.
"... and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, unGodly,
divisible by gender, sexual preference, social economic status and race – with liberty for some and justice for fewer."
We are no more or less a union than we were day's after 911. As long as it's more entertaining to report that the glass is half empty, Cable News, Blogs, Tweets, and all other communication forums will continue to put emphasis on our societal imperfections.
I am so sad this morning. When I think back to January 20, 2009 on the Mall in Washington D.C. and I thought, "This looks like America" Now I wake up and there are pictures of angry, primarily white, conservative, Republican, scared people who act like somebody stole their cookies. I keep wondering how long the media is going to keep potraying these people as "America" I find this such a horrible view and can only wonder what the rest of the world thinks of this. 9/11 was about no race, creed or color. January 20th was about everyone being at the table. If I watch the news I am so sad for the people that frankly I doubt know what the definition of socialism or communism is and somehow have the shortest memory on the face of the earth. I also wonder when the media is going to pull back the curtain and start identifying some of these people. Frankly most of us have to go to school, work or take care of our families. Exactly who are these individuals and what do they want? I hear about the "tea party" but not what they want. I have always prayed for the leadership of my country and I find it shocking the behavior lately. The South Carolina representative with the horrible manners (I won't dignify his behavior by naming him) seems to be atypical of a small and loud group that doesn't represent America. The other part I find shocking is how much they are willing to take out President Obama by any means necessary (guns at rallys, etc). Exactly what democracy are they in favor of supporting? Most of us in 2000 accepted the results of the court in a disputed election. These people in many ways are the underbelly of America because their issue isn't health care or budgets, it is overturning an election that they didn't like the results. On this 8th anniversary of 9/11 attacks I would hope most Americans would realize we are in this together.
Hi John
From up north you just asked about no more attacks
from what I see you(not You) are all doing a pretty good job of attaking your selves.
I am surprised Obama doesn"t go into hiding until all the --self destruct.
Its all sort of really sad..
Imagine all those very efficient Chinese over there just laughing and waiting
It seems clear to me that actions taken after 911 did not help us to stay united. When the government at any level uses "extra legal" means to govern, we all lose some self-respect. The 24 hr news cycle which focuses on rancor and division does not help to keep the country focused on common ground. The media fascination with divsion serves to deeped our perceptions.
All Americans have a civic duty to support the President as oir leader and head of state. While we may disagree with policy, bad manners and rancor serve no one but our enemies. If the psychic wounds we all suffered on 9/11/01 to not heal, then the evil doers will have won.
Unbited we stand, divided we fall!
Why did we come together after 9/11? There was an attack on OUR country. Eight months into the Bush Adm., with a President who'd been aided by the Supreme Court, you didn't hear Democrats faulting our President; you saw a Congress giving him whatever he wanted, you saw a Congress who, at that time, acted like Americans instead of divisive parties. The politics of personal destruction is alive and well; bigotry, not often mentioned, plays an enormous part in the uncivility that we encounter now, as you cover the Tea Party sector, who call our President a Nazi, etc. encouraged by people like Lou Dobbs and aided by Glen Beck and Fox News, and yes, CNN. The hate that is being instilled by those who want their power back, telling our children that listening to our President is bad, a pastor who says he's praying for the death of our President, all being covered with a great amount of conceived importance by the media is helping divide our Country to a point that may never be healed. There are those who are actually hoping for another attack so they can blame it on Obama; the media is helping divide...and conquer our Country. And until the actual reason, the fact that we have our first black President is addressed with vigor and honesty, until people who call the President a liar, until people who compare our President to Hitler are called out for what they are, nothing will get better. Remember, eight months into this administration it is now, according to CNN and others, Obama's wars, Obama's economy, etc. but eight months into the Bush Adm. in 2001 noone said "it's Bush's fault"; instead we hung out our flags, prayed for the families of the victims and remembered first and foremost we were all Americans.
Hi guys, John and Carol. I don't think there has been unity long before 9/11. You see guys unity means caring for all people not just family and friends which has been going on for decades and all the while more and more people are becoming poverty stricken. America will never be unified until all people can enjoy life the way the rich do.
Don't be confused. We NEVER had National Unity. At least not from those over 45 years of age. New York, L.A., Boston and DC are still the same. We all know where the divisiveness is coming from. No one's confused. Even online most democrats have the decency to acknowledge their counterparts as republicans. On the other hand what's the first words that come out of the mouth of republicans? Liberal, Socialist, Marxist.... or whatever they heard on Fox News yesterday. I would be willing to bet that if the attacks on 9/11 had occurred in a red state on Obama's watch there would have been riots between conservatives and liberals, and Tea Party's to impeach the president.
I guess it might be an issue of semantics. Carol, what does national unity mean to you? If it means we all file in like sheep and follow the great one to the promise land, well, that's not what our government is all about. We are a country unified in freedom. A country that still has the right to express its support or disagreement with potential government activities (even if not expressed in the most mature ways). THANK GOODNESS we still have this right....this discourse. To me it's a sign that America is ALIVE AND WELL and to still see our brothers and sisters fighting for this same right in places less fortunate around the world...well...that's something that we can and should nationally unify around.
What happened to National Unity: in two words The Republican Party and Extremists!
I hope we can still come together as a confident and strong nation again and re-establish the great country that we once were. We should all, at the very least, support our President and give him an opportunity to salvage, if not fix (immediately) what's left of our country! We all need to understand, that our global enemies are watching and will be more likely to attack us again, when we are divided and unified. Prior to 9/11 2001 Bin laden recognized the weakness of the George Bush administration and attacked. America is slowly,being removed from the status of a "Super Power" nation globally, to now be looked upon as a "Sleeping Giant" When our enemies no longer fear us, they will devour us. History always repeats itself!
For the past eight years our homeland has been protected from another attack and people have put what happened on 9-11 in the past as a bad memory leaving our country at carelus risk. Unity has went nowhere it lays in wait.
hello , cnn
there is no unity in our country because there wasen`t any to begin with !!!. from the time George Washington steped foot on american soil . innocent lives was taken ?? the british invaision if you will .when we supposedly became a british colony ?? .The war with the indians and the murder of thousands of innocent woman children and the theft of land that didn`t belong to us . for the sake of greed !!!!! The Gold Rush !!! and so on. and it still continues in iraq , afganistan ext !!! . We know about the Gold & Poppy Feilds in Afganistan ???. The Drug Cartel ????? For lack of a better term check the stock markets ?? . we the people are under a great delusion that there could ever be unity until we the people stop being LIED to by our own government .Learn to love one another and help one another as the bible instructs us B = Basic I = Instructions, B = before L= Leving , E = earth ((( BIBLE ))) God needs to be first in this great nation that is now forsaken by human GREED ! We have become the modern Sodom and gamore . And i bet you won`t even share this blog because the media is controled by our lieing government .The truth Does Hurt Sometimes . We could turn the USA around and become that greatly blessed nation once again if we turn from our wicked ways , and turn our faces to God and let him lead us .
God Bless Us All Help Us See The Error Of Our ways .
In Jesus Name I pray
LuAnn
I know that even in my small circle of friends, my community, and yes, in my own family there has been such awful hateful words thrown at each other, that I don't know if anything can heal it. I believe the fault lies directly with former President Bush's administration, and has only been exacerbated by the media, mostly on the right. Of course there will always be disagreement, debate and discussions, but why can't we do it with respect?
National unity is possible wherever ther is a nation; national unity under the current regime and cultural paradigm, however, shall not be. The imperialistic approach to foreign policy that American government employs, initiated by our forefathers during the War of Texas Independence and the Mexican War and maintained by the global domination the Nation demands, combined by the ever- growing control that the Federal Government exerts upon its subjects, illustrated by the Governmental takeover of the monetary system in 1900, legislation like the No Child Left Behind Act and the 18th Amendment (repealed), media promoted propaganda flouting "terrorism" and the demonic Middle East, and the current Federal attempt at regulating the health of American citizens, will eventually produce a population that condemns that which is disadvantageous for foreign policy, homeland productivity, and humanity–the American Federal Government. National pride in America is possible; a kind more genuine than the narcissism produced by a sharp reaction to agression, like a teenager breaking the face of another who insulted him slightly; pride demonstrated more passionately than wearing a "Proud to be an American" magnet on a V8, General Motors pickup; a pride that celebrates the American Constitution and denounces the bureaucracy present currently. A culture can not come together when ideology is built upon social hierarchy and personal gain. Americans are well educated in these thanks to VH1 and its instructional programs on how to drink heavily and fight other people for the admiration of one.
National unity will come again to America, however only after Revolution, and Revolution is imminent. I personally hope the Constitution is sustained for it promotes unity, for all can only hope for a country government which, "in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty," though common defence should not cost $84.3 Billion.
I hear people subjected to the debris of the twin towers are still getting sick and dying. How about another national campaign to help them and their widowed families pay for medical bills and cash to keep their families in their homes after a loved one/first responder has passed away or is too sick to work?
National unity is very difficult to achieve when the minority becomes so angry and embittered after losing their turn at the wheel that they do and say anything to bring down those in the majority at the present time. It is even more difficult when much of what needs to be attended to is the failure of the policies and values that minority so loudly put forth.
“.....for everyone knows he who speaks loudest speaks the truth”. This, sadly, seems to be what we have become.
Yes a great point! Money has little to do with merit based reasoning! A proposed policy rich with merit will never see the "light of day" when corporations, concerned with profit and the perpetuation of that profit can spend all sorts of money ie campaign contributions to ensure their positions , "self-interest," to the detriment of the republics general welfare. Slavery or Health care, the protection of the tax exempt and for corporate interests at the state level is legalized discrimination under the color of state law, at the expense of the inalienable rights of Americans. Slavery was gross. Slavery to corporations is grosser!!! Corporate Servitude enabled under the color of law? The enemy from within?
The tragic events of 9/11 did draw us together as a country. The magnitude was so great that it overrode all the differences we focused on prior.
But, think prior to 9/11. Think back to the history of this country. It's foundation of racism and discrimination. (After all, it wasn't a few renegades that believed in slavery and practiced its atrocities; the entire government embraced it.) The government said that one people were better than, had more rights than, entitled to more than, should be respected more than, another group of people - it's own citizens. This injustice was shared from generation to generation; with people (the "haves") holding on to their 'legacy'. The South felt so strongly about this inequity that they would rather secede from the United States (secession, hmmmm – where have I recently heard that, maybe Texas). There was no unity between people in that.
[Get over it, you may say. Things have changed. Black have rights (almost as much as Whites). What's their beef? Why there's even a African American President.]
Now, fast forward. The same people/person that the country/government said was inherently inferior is the Commander and Chief. Are we supposed to follow him; support him; respect him?
The opposition and lack of unity is not a result of something that this President has done; it's more directed to who he is. That's why certain people can publicly speak about wanting him dead; and nitpick his every word; and why even a member of Congress can feel justified in disrespecting him (and the office of President) AND find supporters. (Wilson was correct in stating that he couldn't hold it in; his upbringing as a good ol' boy, and feeling superior to this Black man; yet having to sit there and pretend to like the fact that he was in a position higher than him, could not be contained. This disrespect was Wilson's attempt at reducing the President to a "boy.")
While I do believe there is more unity than during Mr. Wilson's 'good old days', much more self examination is necessary. When all those who oppose this President (without even being able to say why); and who would rather believe he wasn't born here; or try to justify their hatred (and what I've observed in many is a hatred) by saying it's because he's a socialist, can honestly look inside and address the basis for their feelings maybe we can hope for real unity.
What happened to national unity, ask hate spewing Rush, Hannity, Beck, and Fox.
John Roberts will have to stop asking hypothetical questions when he interviews people. Case in point; interviewing Mayor Bloomberg this morning. These very same people have told him that they cannot and will not answer a question framed in this manner. In addition, I would like to add my prespective on 9/11. Having lost a cousin in the Twin Towers I resent the fact that we are lead to believe that the Bush/Cheney Administration kept us 'safe' after the fact. This is fallacy in that they did NOT protect us against the attack to begin with.
Why is CNN & other media outlets continuing to give rep Wilson air time trying to explain his actions? He flat out hasd the facts wrong. The right has been lying about every one of President Obama's issues. The fact is that illegal aliens get health care w/ taxpayer money now! I would rather pay for an illegal alien's health care than to continue to pay for Rep Wilson's!!!
National unity is impossible when you have a President who wants to turn our Country upside down and into a Socialist State. Communist, Socialist, and extremist Czars reporting directly to Obama is not something that I can compromise on.
Good Morning All!
Every one of us has issues we need to deal with personally. The shocking reality of 9/11 brought many people out of their individual cocoons. There are many organizations striving to encourage peaceful interactions among all people. One such group is 'Unity In The Foothills'. They are sponsoring "11 Days of Global Unity" in Torrington, CT. beginning today.
The public wants other people to bring peace to the world.
Peace will come to this world when each of us – one by one – finds peace in our owns souls first.
That will probably be the hardest job anybody can do.
The song is true: "Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me..."
God – by whatever name you call Him – loves ALL of us unconditionally. It is our choice.
Thank you. May we find peace in our hearts and hang on and share with love.
Dear CNN person reading this right now for the show – as you have read through the above posts I'm sure you notice a trend in what we think is the problem:
Right wing republicans
Media.
Please do your job -ie report the news as it happens by ensuring our thoughts here are relayed to the rest of America who are watching your show and are too lazy to come to your website.
Thank you.
Carol and John,
I'm so glad you asked the question about the terrible division between left and right in our country. For those of us who like to watch the news and stay knowledgeable about the issues, the rancor is absolutely exhausting. Frankly, I cherrypick my news shows in accordance with the journalists who present the news with as little bias as possible. Yet the stories themselves are painful to watch.
I'm a great admirer of President Barack Obama; I believe him to be a man of great integrity who's trying to the best for our country under the most difficult circumstances. When I hear him slandered – as in the case of Rep. Joe Wilson – it angers me. Any number of times he's reached out to John McCain, only to be slapped down a day later. I'm tired of it and it makes me hate the GOP all the more.
You mention that it takes a great tragedy like 9/11 to bring our nation together, yet I don't believe that would happen again. The president would be blamed by the conservative movement for not keeping our country safe. So around and around we go. I've actually wondered at times if we couldn't just peacefully divide into two countries, like an amicable divorce. Maybe it's time to admit that the left and right in our country are so hateful, so entrenched with our own ideas, that we need to separate in order to live our lives in peace. I realize it wouldn't be that simple, but I can wish.
The country can never have what I does not want. the hate in this country is a hidden divide for all. We say we want Unity but we FIGHT over an agreement about health care? What would have happen If a Black politician had interrupted GW Bush when he was in office (double standards) This destroys our possibility of so called unity. This president is even challenged by the police. How can you have unity? When you have so much division. We seem to forget that all different Americans died that day. Will there ever be equality? Our News companys need to be fair in its treatment (coverage negative or positive) of our people here in america also.
Rus, u forgot Ensign and Sanford
The health care debate has done alot of damage to our country. Don't you think that the health insurance companies are pouring money into these inflamatory tv ads in order to keep the status quo.
Rep Joe Wilson, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, just the tip of the iceberg, need I say more?
I'm a white 59-year old retired military man who has seen the US from both sides of the ponds. I was totally shocked twice in my life by what happened to my country.
The first time was in 1981 when I came back from four years in Germany and saw on TV women in their underwear in commercials. I wondered then what had happened while I was gone.
The second time was in 1998 when I came back from six years in Saudi Arabia and saw on TV and heard on the radio Americans thoroughly trashing other people simply because of different political views.
I had read in the news about Newt Gingrich and his followers as they tried to bring down the government in his fit of temper. I had been exposed to Rush Limbaugh and his brand of "entertainment" courtesy of AFTRS, but I was not ready for the hate I saw from the Right for anyone who didn't agree with everything they believed in.
Rather than mellowing out the Right has only gotten more bitter, especially after their recent political defeats, and the Left has finally had enough and started hating back. Until the Right understands that people can not agree and still be friends I don't see the situation getting any better. As long and Rush Limbaugh and his wannabe's fill the airwaves with hate I don't see the situation getting any better. As long as white Americans can't accept Obama as their president I don't see the situation getting any better.
the problem is in unity we have put our party above the greater good of the american people, First of all "we are all Americans" first, then
right,left, Dem, Repub, or independent. The attacks from politicians are so personal. Don't we all have families that don't always agree but we agree to disagree civiliy. All the politicians need manners 101. But another thing that is wrong, that some politicians do is try to make being a sentor or a representative a life time job. Then they get so entrenched in their party talking points, there is no room for any differing opinion or plan. That is our problem now, we need fresh blood from all parties, fresh thinking, and most of all a return to "gentlemen politics". Our leaders need to display civility and decorum to our nation which is starving for "this is my opinion, and I will respect yours, now how can we meet in the middle. This has been gone for decades in Washington and in America. Lets observe the golden rule Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Unity. Great concept, it's a shame that we haven't felt it since 9/11. But am I the only one who is seeing Obama as being stonewalled by the Republicans? Obama talks to both sides, asks for input but it looks like Republicans are still sore over their big loss in the election or is it worse?
Are we seeing a buried racial prejudice that raises its head acting like political opposition? We are not seeing a civil and productive opposition, but a loud, dirty one with terrifying lies like death squads. My goodness, how low have we sunk? It takes two for unity. I don't see any Republicans wanting unity with anyone.
Yes, I am a Democrat and I am mad. Mad that a voted official can yell out liar and that CNN criticizes the President for his lost opportunity to lead. Get real. Lets put the criticism where it belongs. On the rude, government paid congressman who felt it was OK to call the President a liar on national TV.
Lets look at reality not step around it. Something very strange is happening within the Republican party. Its not growth and it looks very unhealthy. And its definitely not anything that is leading towards unity, just the opposite.
Respectfully,
Lynette Wood
former ethics professor
SPC, SHU, AMC
Largo, FL
Two things are responsible for ripping this country apart–greed and religion. The two are never exclusive; they are cut from the same cloth. This is exactly what the founders of this country tried so hard to thwart, and here we are. Mr. Jefferson must be writhing in his grave. Nothing divides better than religion.
Unfortunately, unity in this country is not possible if we keep going in the same direction we have. During the past administration and the current, there is nothing but attacks against the party in control. And it really has nothing to do with getting anything done, but only has to do with power. Who has it and who can keep it? Both parties are just as guilty. However, at this time, I believe we are seeing a double standard. The comment made during the president’s speech the other night would have been dealt with very differently had it been opposite parties. Had it been a Democrat speaking thusly to a Republican president, nothing would have been said by CNN or any other new agencies. Right now the Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel has not been honest on his tax returns. His failure to pay taxes on $75,000 in rental income from a beach house he owns in the Dominican Republic is not getting him removed as head of this committee. Had this been a Republican, he would have been instantly removed. This kind of partisan unfairness does not help unify us. If it takes a great national disaster to unify us, it will only last a short time, as it did after 9/11/01. Also, anyone at anytime can mention the name of Allah, but mention the name of Jesus and you are banned. An example of more polarization. In the state of MN there are charter schools that are receiving government money and they are teaching the religion of Muslim. Do we see the same to teach Christianity? Oh yeah, I forgot, our president says we are not a Christian nation anymore! This does not create unity, but only separates us. I have never seen more separation and more strong feelings by Americans about what they believe. One has to be careful about one says to any group of people unless you know what side they are!
Moderators and censorship? So much for protecting the legitimate expression of opinion by the governed?
"Your comment is awaiting moderation?" PATHETIC CENSORSHIP BY CORPORATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
National unity does not look possible. Perhaps if the TRUE silent majority, those who naively believe the good in others will prevail , (that people are not really that stupid), step up and make their voices heard some change may occur. For too long now the religious right has used near military tactics to not only deteriorate our civil rights, but to set shameful examples of hatred and intoloerance. An author whose name I cant remember once wrote, "for everyone knows he who speaks loudest speaks the truth". This, sadly, seems to be what we have become.
I think that unity is possible but probably unlikely, 1st because the underlying tone of all this mess is racism! everyone is tip toeing around this obvious fact and its cowardly and shamefu! its scary that instead of listening to your moral compass we let t.v. and talk radio become our guide, what's up with brainwashing people? 2nd we have to learn how to agree to disagree on some things but not totally disagreeable.thats where the problem seem to come in and the american people are allowing these politicians to cause division between us when you have to live next door to that neighbor who may not have the same opinion as you on everything.
I think there are many factors that keep us from being united as a country.
A simple example is the 9/11 responders who are now ill. We are not doing enough for them as promised.
A second example is Pres. Obama promised to negotiate heathcare reform on S-Span so the American people could be involved and informed. Instead he has had many private meeting/negotiations.
Additional problems with healthcare promises that are proving to be lies.
No one will be compelled to buy coverage.
Lie Two: No new taxes on employer benefits.
Lie Three: Government can control rising health care costs better than the private sector.
Lie Four: A public plan won't be a Trojan horse for a single-payer monopoly.
It is very disheartening to have a man run for President who promised change and we for some reason thought that the change he was promising was for our good and in our interest, "we the people" . How naive of us. He is only interested in making history and change no matter how it affects us, the people who got him elected. I want a President who cares about the people while understanding why our country is the best model for a free nation.
Lie Five: Patients don't have to fear rationing.
As long as there is a portion of the populace who gets all their news from talk radio and Fox news, there will never be political unity within the U.S. As long as we have a Black president, the far right will work to bring him down.
If psychology professor Drew Westen had the time to follow political message boards, he’d realize that President Obama conducted himself correctly after Congressman Wilson called out to him during his speech to the congress. Wilson managed to deflect the focus away from the president’s message, as the radical right has tried to do all summer. If President Obama had responded to Wilson, the uproar would have gone on for days and days – and possibly, for weeks.
It isn't health care that is tearing this country apart. It's the fact that many can't accept the fact that we elected a black president. You have politicians & certain media people playing to the racists of this country, (the only base they have left), trying to provoke a race war. If al Qaeda or any other terrorist organization needed propaganda, all they have to do is get news clips from our so called politicians. It's very sad that the media tries to hide this fact. All one had to do was watch the HBO documentay: The Right: Feeling Wronged. At least in it, the racists didn't hide their real feelings. This country has more to fear from these people than from foreign terrorists. I wish the media would start reporting exactly what's going on rather than try to hide the fact that there are people willing to do anything to make sure the President fails, no matter that it will hurt millions of Americans. It's pure racism, not right vs left or Dems vs Reps! That's why the rallying cry is we want our country back. They don't want a black President running the country. God help us all if anything happens to President Obama.
You know how some families only get together for weddings and funerals, aside from that they never really see each other? I think it leans along those lines. Human nature seems to function on cause and effect. and when nothing's really happening our feelings lay dormant. So, in order for continuous unity to exist we may need an extra ordinary 'Great Leader' to show us the way.
I. Feinberg
Just sayin; The United States is fractured due to the lack of JUSTICE being provided by the Political Leaders at Present. Corporate is Committing TREASON, TREACHERY and High Crimes against the Nation and Unity will only be possible if Justice Prevails. We The People, The SOVEREIGN need an Oliver Cromwell.
It amazing that progressives take the high ground when the president gets a "shout out." However he will "call out" dissenting opinion. How arrogant!!
There could very much be unity in this country. What has to happen, is that we need to remove all racists people in america. Lately, there has been comments made in the political arena that has made my hair stand up. It is an underlying thing that race in America is worsening and the media is allowing these expressions to come through. I am not blaming the media becxause the media is showing us who theses racist people are. they are much on the left and right extremes. Look closely because it is not just about politics nor republicans or democrats, but some minor people looking to develop a political gain into racisim. Think about it!
My mother said to me yesterday that his non-response to Rep. Joe Wilson was presidential. However, I disagree; President Obama had an open forum to discuss the "health" of the nation.
The health of the nation remains divided by parties, but most importantly by color. For such a cerebral president, if he addressed the outburst ... it is possible that many may have taken a look in the mirror.
To ignore or decide that quiet disregard is the way was a major mistake. The President could have made shown the American public the division that is more than 200 years old.
Ask the CEO's if they feel any unity with the workers they just laid off, or the wall street crowd if they feel any unity with the people who's retirement fund they just stole if they feel any unity with America.
Dont forget to ask the people who believe that "greed is good" how much unity they feel with the homeless etc.
That is the America I see, and perhaps further division is needed before unity can begin. I would tax the crap out of anybody making more then a million a year while returning veterans are homeless after "protecting the CEO's way of life. Is it possible to be united when the gap is so huge?
I tend to think that the disunity is in politics and the media - not nessesarily in the general public. I am a moderate american, but work and befriend many liberals and conservitives. We agree and disagree on many issues, but that does not divide us. I believe that the media generally focuses on divisions because it's better for ratings and gives more to talk about in the 24-hr news cycle. I also think that politicians give all the chatter in blogs, radio, and on TV too much weight and THINK our country is much more divided than it is - I believe most people want biparticianship! Most people in the mainstream see the childish behavior of politicians who can't compromise as the real problem.
This country has never been unified. There have always been the haves and have nots; Black America and white America; Notherners and Southerners, etc. It is just that technology has provided an opportunity for everyone to have voice. As a result, people, no matter how stupid, ignorant, or rude are given their 5 minutes of fame; and, sometimes, now with cable, even television and most assurdly radio– their own programs! It used to be that good reporting would keep you from stating or indicating your personal position–there is not a person that you cannot discern his/her personal position, even on CNN, especially the women–they are sooooo transparent. Given that the average reading level of Americans is about 5th grade and they gain their knowledge from tv and radio, they take all of this misinformation as true and act on it. These actions are immediately reported through various technological modalities... and the cycle of ignorance, partisanship and disunity continues.
There is no denying that the media plays the largest role in shaping our opinions. The service of providing the news and issues to the public has taken a back seat to the frenzy of topping the ratings chart. Sound bites grab the headlines, unfortunately the don't give us a true angle on the story. The bottom line is that the news media thrives on controversy. Do they help create the controversy to help pull in more viewers? Are we still talking about the Congressman from SC?There's your answer.
Get out of the entertainment business and provide us with quality news coverage. I guarantee the media outlet that does this will top the charts!
Our unity started to errode when Bush and his right wing be our kind of Christain or die attitude decided to use the unity power against the world. They started wars where the people had nothing to do with 9-11 and created laws so they could spy on our own people, and they claimed a mandate that the people gave them the power to do this.
Not all of us agreed, but if you voiced your opposition you were call UnAmerican or worst a traitor.
Now we are paying the price for this attitude. Bush spent all the money that Clinton had built and He Bush left us in the worst shape ever. It took us 8yrs to get here but now they want us to get out of this in less than a year. What the f**k...
The republicans just say NO without alternatives is so tiring. How about lets think, be civil and compromise so we all can move forward.
Just a thought. Duh!!
Hal,
Atlanta
When America was attacked by terrorist America Act.ed. To bad we could not have stopped 911. America's Civil war could have been avoided, by holding true to law. America chose slavery instead, inconsistent with constitutional precepts.
Today corporations enslave Americans via economic leveraging and servitude enabled by politicians, who cannot control passion.
Corporations are a threat to liberties just as the attackers of 911 decimated our lives and liberties.
Jefferson warned US and we ignored his warnings. TO bad Americans cannot see the truth instead brainwashed by a corporate controlled media protecting the corporate interest in America at the the expense of the Life and Liberties of Americans? Terrorists and corporate terrorists, all the same. At least one type of terrorist does not "hide" behind the color of unconstitutional law in the lust for endless profit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe the 'problem' is the that there is still a segment of our society that is still not ready for an African American president. Right before the Nov elections I attended a funeral in Arkansas and my sister-in-law asked me if I thought that n____r would be elected. I then asked if she knew his mother was white. She did not. The outer of appearance of President Obama is very frightening to that sector of our nation. Unfortunately, when all the reroric started with the first accusation of President Obama's place of birth, politicians used it as a tool to turn voters against Obama instead of taking a stand and admitting he was actually born in Hawaii. That 'lie' is still being used by the republicans. You had a guest saying the President missed an opportunity to reprimand Wilson, well, I don't believe he did. Like a teacher who has a student who is trying to get attention in front of the student body, he just said firm;y 'Not True'. Of course, this is a way for the media to bring noteriety to bad behavior because it sells. These politicians are not children. Starting with Grassly who had aedamantly agreed President Obama was a legal citizen, then saw his constituents angry when he tried to quiet the 'lie' backed off. Grassley did that again when the 'death panel' was brought up. McCain faintly squashed the 'birth' lie when he was campaigning, however, he didn't stop Palin from spreading her lies. So, who if responsible? Who can stop the politician from, if not stoping the spread of lies, at least not fanning the flames?
I do agree that the President could have used the opportunity that was presented to him ( when Wilson made the comment) to be firm but I don't agree that it is a show sign of weakness but an act of been civil. For a congressman that holds an office; I think that a higher standard should be called for him and he should get reprimanded if possibly be suspended for his comments. He should know better than to insult the office of the President....honestly Speaking, I think the Presidents effort to be heard by the people that makes him out there speaking everyday is making people think less of him
The right wing republicans are the main problem in this country right now. They are using every dirty tactic they can come up with to throw this country into disarray and definitely do NOT have the best interests of American people on their mind. They have control of the press and most media and through the constant repetition of their lies, they are spreading hatred in this society.
There is hope though as the reason the right wingers are making so much noise right now is that they realize that the press and media is becoming much less important to people as more and more use the internet to find out the truth and do not rely on what they are feed through the media. Hopefully as this trend increases Americans will figure out what is what and the right wingers will get whats coming to them.
Obama was elected to bring change. I think most people concieved of that change as against corruption and partisan politics. Instead, the largest stimulus bill ever, the cash for clunkers, the health care reforms, csars with unlimited power, news programs that rubber stamp almost everything this administration does all are making many understand that the change is not for the better and the partisan politics inside Washington is more pronounced than ever. The anxiety this provokes is primal and elicits viceral and rude reactions (from both sides).
I think a less rankerous America would show it's face if the drive to so fundamentally change the face of America were put aside. Though we may be in a economic crisis with this recession, the vast majority of Americans still believe that it's a system that basically works and are loath to 'throw out the baby with the bathwater' as this current administration seems to be attmepting to do. And the rancor-meter is going up because our government is not listening.
No other president has done as much to promote unity. This lack of civility has been growing for over 20 years. It began in the 80s when political groups began to call themselves the "moral majority"....which means the other side is not moral. Or the "party of family values" meaning the other side does not have family values. This is when I became a democrat....becuase if you disagreed with these groups they began to call others "less than". As soon as Obama's speech was over, the increasingly hostile far right, began knowingly twisting and lieing about what he said in his speech. Hannity immediately said Obama said insurance execs were bad people, when he clearly said they were not bad people. But most of Hannity's followers, probably didn't even listen to the president's speech, so he can get away with that. They don't want civility, it isn't good for ratings, but the resulting spread of anger is very scary. If Obama speaks up everytime this type of thing happens it will only make this group of wing nuts hate him more. And whether they admit it or not, hating him, is what drives them more than anything.
As for 9/11....I think it has divided as much as united. Yes we were all united in the beginning, but to continue to wallow in it, and to continue to divide time into pre 9/11 and post 9/11, creates an attitude of national victimhood. Feeling like a victim is bad for the national psyche and that is part of what we are seeing. We should remember 9/11, but by letting it define us, we have hurt ourselves more than the terrorists ever could have. Vic tims have a lot of anger and some are almost addicted to that at this point. Just watch Rush...waving his hands and pounding his fists as he spreads his hateful but profitable speech....if you aren't full of anger yourself, you have a hard time watching it. Can we be civil again? I am afraid we are headed down a very ugly road. Some leaders on the right need to speak up, that is where most of the anger and lack of respect comes from..... Democratic leaders should speak up when it comes from Democrats. The president has set a good tone....he has too much to do, he can't respond to every name calling incident.
American National Unity following 9.11 was built upon having a common enemy and a common fear and an excuse to lash out.
The most poignant image I have of that day was of a man in overalls standing in the field where one of the planes came down asking "why do they hate us so much"
Unfortunately Americans never tried to answer that question except to instantly conclude "they are hateful people".
The division and nastiness that characterizes the United States is really nothing new. I doubt you can name a decade when it didn't rise to the fore – possibly WWII but that was only three years: Since then there have been nothing but war, invasions, and division and some very real nastiness – lynchings, cross-burnings, assasinations, torture. Today the US is again a nation under arms – with many of the armsin the hands of civilians and aimed at other American civilians
National unity isn't possible and, to be honest, isn't exactly realistic in the long term and with the current political environment. During the last administration, we were arrogant and took actions that threw away the respect of the world and the respect many of us held for our own country and government. That isn't going to be regained quickly. Further, I believe unity is definitely not possible when we are still denying basic civil rights to a portion of our own citizens.
For the religious right, the pastors need to stop their negative social rhetoric from the pulpit. The fear of the "religious flock" to be ousted from their group turns them into knee-jerk hate-mongers. Because the supporters of George W. Bush stood behind him, defended him, even when the facts of his administration proved to be detrimental not only for our world repuation, but for our own economy, they simply are angry that they were fooled and don't want to face that possibility. So, they will never support anything Obama does. I bet if they were invited to the White House for dinner with the President, they would go for their own personal fame. The venomous attacks on Obama clearly show their ignorance. Someone is filling their heads with misinformation. And yes, they need to be called out. For the Democrats, my questions is WHY aren't they being more aggressive to set the record straight, to speak out against the misinformation directly, and also to constantly remind people of the list of things George W. Bush did to create this mess?
The media needs to do its part as well. Sure the far right talk show hosts do alot of Obama bashing. But much of mainstream media champions the far left. Both doing their best to divide the American people.
Listen to Sean Hannity or Anderson Cooper interview someone that doesn't agree with their respective positions. It's a;most comical.
Both sides twist the truth. Why do you think we don't trust the government or the media?
National unity went out the window when the GOP declared all out war on the middle and lower class. They've sucked the financially lower 90% of the country dry and the Bush administration not only allowed it, but rewarded it. Never before in our history has such blatant criminal corruption become the norm. The most disconcerting part is that they've managed through their marketing machine and manipulation of the media, to get 50% of our country to believe their lies, propaganda and scare tactics, and huge portion of their supporters are being financially destroyed by the very policies and politicians they vote for because they are so ignorant and easily misled. No wonder the GOP isn't for education – it benefits them to have a country of uneducated sheep! Unless the right grows some form of human conscience, unity is impossible and I'm all for an all out 2nd civil war. I would love nothing more than to secede from the ignorant backwoods simpletons that are dragging our country down and back half a century. They almost make me ashamed to call myself an american.
FYI – I DO have health insurance, I am a college educated successfully self employed individual. My premiums are strangling me though – and most people that aren't for healthcare reform have the benefit of an employer paying for most of their premiums. I am NOT unemployed, homeless, an illegal immigrant or looking for a handout. But believe me, if half of these idiots that scream socialism had to pay the premiums I pay for even 6 months, they would be screaming for a single-payer program. Someone needs to explain THAT to them!
Pls lets not wait 4another fatal crisis 2bring unity back. I pray 4our nations & leaders & soldiers often. Lets humble ourselves & hear from heaven & become a nation united again.
Our national unity vanished in the waters of Hurricane Katrina. I listened as people I have known for all of my adult life blamed the victims along the Gulf Coast, calling them ignorant and deserving of their fate. When a large portion of our "Christian nation" derides the deaths of over 1800 fellow citizens, our unity is lost.
Not until the Republicans and their bible carrying buddies quiet trying to force their way of life on the rest of us. They need to clean out their own closets first, take a look at the Gov.of S.C., the Rep from Cal. all the other members of congress who have got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and countless Evangelical preachers who when they get caught pray, say they're sorry, ask forgiveness, cry a lot and blame it on not having any toys growing up. I'm a democrat and I feel i'm just as religious as any of them, but my religion is my business, not some overbearing republican evangelical preacher who wants to bring politics into the church.
Why are you ignoring the ACORN case? That corruption/criminal action story has more to do with unity than any story CNN covered this morning. FOX NEWS has chosen to practice true journalism.
Seems to me like Americans are almost always at odds over one thing or another. But historically, in times of crisis, one of the great things about Americans is that we rally together – does anyone remember the name of the fellow who was heard on his cell phone saying " Let's roll". That said it for me in a nutshell. My recommendation for helping national unity ( a little) is for everyone to fly the American flag from rooftops, windows, homes, office buildings, front yards, backyards, trees, bridges, buses, trains, trucks, and cars EVERY Sept 11. And may God bless America.
I doubt theres going to be any unity for quite some time. If anything I think the divide is only going to grow. You have Republicans being the party of "NO", Town hall protesters shouting down everyone, to prevent people from hearing about issues. The congressman shouting "Liar" to the president at a prestigious congressional gathering on live tv. Texans calling for secession from the US. Birthers, Deathers, etc. Unfortunately things seem to be going further down hill.
Until folks except the fact that Pres. Obama is the leader of the free world there will be no unity. Some of the deep seated hate has to do with the fact that Obama is a black man. Everything in this country was ran be old white men and that is now changing and some people just don't want to let go. What was the majority is becoming minority and they have a problem with that. We still have a long way to go!
CBL
South Carolina
Patriotic Americans are scared to death of Socialism. President Obama's actions and people that surround him raise more doubt about who he really is. Carol, it;s all about trust. I went to Viietnam to save people from this kind of government, and put my life on the line. I am also a former Senior Vice President of a bank. All of the information regarding our expenditures are questionable at best. There is no way to unite socialism with capitalism. Democrats and Republicans have abused this country with regard to putting money first, and our welfare second. It is high time "truth" in the media be supreme and public trust be ensured by the media's action. The silent majority is on the verge of erupting.
In my opinion, it is the Almighty Dollar that has ruined the USA.
To start with, we should copy the UK's election system – four weeks
for the election of a new Government.
The money that is saved should all go to provide homes for the homeless.
The Rich, the Large Corporations, Politicians, Lobbyists – they all
throw the Dollars around without discimination but they can not
buils a fitting 9/11 memorial in eight years.
How can there be so much free spending and, at the same time,
constant complaints about the Deficit?
The Nation has become Corrupt.
The assumption that our country is more divided than ever is just wrong. There have been many times in our history that disunity and rancor, especially in politics, have been just as prominent a feature of society as they are currently. There have been fistfights in Congress, duels fought, and a Civil War for goodness sake. I think that the focus on our conflict is primarily highlighted by the media in a never ending hype-fest designed to increase viewership. Instead of chasing ratings with sensationalism, why don't you "news people" stick to reporting...be Cronkites.
If God's people would humble themselves, they'd hear from heaven & this nation would be healed & propsper. 2much hate & disrspect toward each other & our leader Pres. Obama.
I really don't think reconciliation is possible in the county I live in. I was following the blog in the local paper over the Presidents speech on education. What I saw was irrational people from the right throwing out a lot of wild accusations.. The people who are opposed to President Obama do not want a civil conversation nor do they want to talk about issues. A lot of what I hear seems to stem from public figures on radio and television who appear to promote intolerance and hatred. They promote division and don't allow compromise. Those who want a real discussion and have real questions seem to get drowned out by radical behavior. It makes me very sad for our country.
It has become entertainment to focus on hostility. Every news organization has focused on the clip " You lie", It gets more attention then people or politicians who are civil. I am sorry, but I watch the news everyday, and one place it could begin would be to stop fanning the extremist views and hateful tirades that go with them.
I am personally so tired of it. The hateful conversations are disturbing and the media could help by entertaining another way to report the news.
It's really hard to say is national unity still possible. It seems as if since Barack Obama has become president, the division in this country has increased like never before. Are the issues that we are disagreeing on so intense that we must resort to anger, disrespect, and complete disregard for one another? During the campaign, Mr. Obama promoted and advicated change. I don't think that this was the change that he was referring to. It's truly timie to lay aside all of the negativity and move forward for the best interests of our country. Besides, the world is watching. The United States must continue to be that beacon that draws mankind together.
Unity is always possible. It's up to the individuals. It does not take a tradegy, it takes everyone's input and the media should focus on reporting truths and stop adding thier ideologies. We've seen enoough of the extremists, there are other people in this country who want honesty, integrity and the country to succeed. Let's hear the voices of others, black, white, hispanic, asian, middle class, the poor, the rural and suburbs...
If you want to know why there is no unity, you have only to look at yourself. The Tea Party protesters and those that attend townhalls have one thing in common. They protest so because the media has not asked the tough questions and feel they need to do so themselves. THEY ARE DOING THE MEDIA'S JOB FOR THEM. Everyone knows the media leans left. Just look at Foxnews ratings. Sarah Palin proves her point with the revelations from the book Your Life, Your Choices, and the media ignores this point.
Isn't it ironic that from the moment the GOP lost the election, it is no longer unpatriotic to criticize the government. The right wing, which is to blame for an illegal war (where are the weapons of mass destruction?), would rather spend money killng people than helping people.with medical care.
It is very difficult to be united with such hypocracy, including Sanford, Ensign and others. When people support a woman for VP, who makes ridiculous statements (" I can see Russia from my house"), for leadership, there will never be unity.
How can we support such self interest? America is no longer the great nation it was. Since the Florida election joke/scanal, it is very clear that ethics is no longer a consideration for the lunatic fringe aka the right wing.
Another U.S. President said it best: "The buck stops here."
As Candidate Obama, the President, spoke of a "post-partisan democracy" but once in office spoke in a way that even George W. Bush did not, engaging in attacks on basis of party, rather than ideas.
It sounds bad, but for someone visiting from Europe, it seems almost if your current President lacks decorum, even "class" in a sense of understanding the stature of the office, which is something your Mr. Bush, crudely as he may have done so, appeared to have understood and at times did appear to attempt rising to the occasion.
Even the small things, such as wearing a jacket in his Oval Office and not putting his feet up on the desk, spoke to a glimmer of that respect for the office.
If you do not respect yourself, how can others respect you?
I can name that tune in 2 letters...G.W.!!!! You report has complete ignored the goodwill that was wasted by George W. Bushe's presidency. The disasters created by running off half-cocked with cowboy diplomacy. A republican congress the rolled over and did what ever GW wanted. Well, the bus is in the ditch in a big way and you actually wish to suggest that Obama is to blame because in just over six months he has not healed the nation in what you seemingly expect to be over night. Ya know?, you're kinda contributing to discontent by not pointing out the actual root cause.
Unity in a free nation?Good grief lets hope not!That mindset usually leads to regimes like the Nazis and invasions of nations like Iraq and Afghanistan.Leave that nirvana for dictatorships and tyrants..
What makes western democracies so successful is our differences and the right to express them.Do you have to put up with loons from the extremes?Sure.But it sure beats the alternative.
I am a 17 year old boy endeavoring through high school, and what I see of the country god happened to place me in troubles me. We all share the same governing body, and surely decisions they make affect us all. I don't understand the lack of compassion in America between the different wealth classes, ethnic groups, or even reigonal areas. It saddens me to see that we are headed to a world where every man is by himself. I was born into this country, the rules and regulations already in place when i got here without a say in anything. The only comfort I've ever seen out of this is sharing the feeling with my peers that share my age and thoughts, and now even that is slowly being taken out of my grasp.
Only God can heal this country.
As a dispute resolution professional I am not concerned about the current dialogue. It's normal for people to be less restrained when expressing strong feelings. A bad sign would be if people were not talking and sharing their views. Certainly not all of the communications are constructive or positive, even inappropriate at times. Allowing people to have their say is an important stage at the beginning of the change cycle. People particularly opposed to change are likely to be vocal at this stage. It's dangerous to equate the diversity of expression with disunity. In fact, it may be a sign of strong connection. People love their community and country and wish it the best. What we are seeing is that people have different views on what is best and what the probably outcomes are of change.
The beauty of America is our diversity of culture and opinions. This does not mean we are not united as Americans. Just because a few fringe groups act like morons, doesn't mean we won't stand up for this great country regardless of our political views.
The farther we get from 9-11, the more we found out, with the help of the media, about how we were lied to by the previous administration. Because it was uncool to criticize the government in the post 9-11 period, conservatives took advantage and made ANY criticism unpopular, then tried to move their conservative agenda backward, Now that we've got a new president, we are more distanced from both the 9-11 experience and the previous administration, and liberals are less afraid to express themselves and assert their rights as conservatives had done previously. And the right-wing doesn't like it.
Thanks for this inquiry. I just changed channels because I was upset with the rancor on the other morning show. What will shift the incivility is a shift in what we say about each other – including the media. If we speak 'for' unity and respect each others point of view (as President Obama has been working hard to model for us). rather than blaming and pointing fingers at those who don't agree, it will bring people together. We saw a great example of that after 9/11 where most of the world stood with us and we were one–until we launched a war against terrorism. When that happened, we shifted the discourse back to one of 'us' versus 'them' and we were right back in history. We have a great opportunity now to begin to create discussions for how we can work together. It won't be instantaneous and it will take constantly being vigilant to our language, but it is possible to build bridges with language. Judi in Indiana
Y'know, one of the things that began our dis-unity was the hyphenation of Americans. It isn't just a partisan divide, we are divided in many, many ways. The unification came when we saw ourselves as AMERICANS, not fill-in-the-blank Americans. We only became that when we had a common cause.
Pres. Obama is a great admirer of Pres. Lincoln. He needs to look a little harder at his treatment of the America of the Civil War. He'll find a lot to look at. We're in a similar situation now...but of words, not weapons.
Pres. Lincoln gave no great news flash when he quoted "A house divided against itself cannot stand." We've got to find a way to realize that again.
TV news programs are more politcical and less journalistic than ever. The visual media has been the attack machine of the left and radio has been the attack machine of the right. Some TV stations are blatant and crude in their coverage of the right. The treatment of Sarah Palin was a new low in "journalism" as one example.
Unity may be possible when the media gets back to journalism and stops getting into taking sides and promoting their idols as they did in the case of Obama.
You the media should take the lead in uniting us instead of dividing us. CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. You have so much influence on the American public its almost scary. Regardless of who or what you support, tell it like it is, tell all sides and let us decide, not the media.
While the media is not responsible for what people say or write, they are responsible for giving air time to the most extreme comments that people on the outer fringes make. By airing these comments/ideas over and over, it gives the impression that these ideas are held by a large number of people, which is not true. It also spreads the lies that these people perpetrate and eventually others assume that they are true. We need a more responsible media.
The division between Americans starts with the paid talking heads who create hateful rhetoric and inflame the fears that all Americans feel about the economy and our way of life. They have created an "us against them" mentality with their daily bashing of the opposite political party and its views. There does not seem to be any civility to the discussion. I believe it started and continues with the likes of Rush Limbaugh, but it has now become a form of entertainment on both sides. These people are paid a lot of money and have no other interest than to incite people's passions. The more they do that, the higher their ratings. Unfortunately, most people take everything that is said as "truth" and are too busy or too lazy to find out the facts for themselves. It has become too easy to rely on them for information.
I don't think it will happen for awhile. Georg W Bush created this mess and it will take years to get out of it.
We won't be able to unite until parties on both sides admit that there's a possibility that they could be wrong on some issues and others might be right. As long as people believe with total certainty in their own correctness they will be unable to discuss difficult subjects rationally with those who disagree with them. Unfortuantely, there are precious few, especially on the right, who can comprehend the possibility that the other views mnay actually be valid.
Unity is always possible under a totalitarian regime or in times of great crisis. Once people feel safe, unity dissolves in favor of self-interest and fear.
Why did lawmakers walk lock-in-step with G. W. Bush as President and why do many of the same now contribute only anarchy and rude behavior now that Obama is president?
What happened to national unity? Rush Limbaugh and his Ilk.