An opportunity for unity

Another apparent attempt at the life of our President was thwarted by the assorted well-trained secret servicemen and local police force personnel. Though one secret service man was wounded/-thankfully, not seriously--no potentially massive injuries occurred in a room with 2500 participants representing our free press, cabinet members and other governmental authorities.

The President spoke affectionately of all the law officers that protected them and significantly the “love” on display between members representing different competitive ideological and political positions. People were literally diving under tables seeking safety and, by their own admission, fearing for their lives. At this point no one was spewing political rhetoric or projecting blame for the incident. How long can that last?

In moments like these--becoming all too common--we have a collective opportunity to assess the State of the Union and to consider how we can lay aside the painful verbal words that threaten our very existence as a republic. Is this not a significant opportunity to lay down our weapons of divide that have stalemated our government’s ability to serve the real needs of our country and focus on what is best to preserve the republic and to protect its citizenry?

May God help us is my prayer tonight.