- That America and the world in general are under threat by extremists using their religion as a cover for more nefarious objectives.
- That America is historically a nation of immigrants and that immigration is not at its core a bad thing.
- That America is worth respect and devotion, despite the fact there are disagreements on politics, society, foreign policy, interpretation of the Constitution, etc.
- That the rights clearly and indisputably guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are sacred and should be protected.
- That Thomas Jefferson's statement "All men are created equal," is applicable to all humans. Not just "Americans," or "free White Males," or "Christians" or any other subgroup. Human beings - as a whole - are CREATED equal.
- That hate is not a viable basis for domestic or foreign policy.
- That - as both the Christian Bible and Abraham Lincoln said - a house divided against itself cannot stand, and - as a result - there is more to be gained by acknowledging and leveraging what binds Americans together as Americans than what separates them.
- That compromise - not extremism of the left or right - is the basis upon which America will remain the greatest nation on Earth.
I realize this is a pretty radical thing to suggest...though it shouldn't be. Yesterday's protests (both pro- and anti-Trump) in downtown Salisbury were legal, legitimate, peaceful (thankfully), and exercises in free speech. Yea America! Well done. At the same time, I feel compelled to ask...were any minds changed? Was progress made? Positions were stated. Opinions were expressed. Rights were exercised. Great! Fine! Bravo!
My questions is: Are we - as a whole - any better off? Could the energy expended on the rallies, and the expression of thoughts and comments by BOTH sides (here and in other forums) been better spent on finding areas of commonality, agreement, and compromise?
What was gained?
So, the challenge - at least in my mind - is to find that common ground, gather upon it, and build outward and upward from there...strengthen America...before the "house divided" that is currently the United States of America does indeed fall upon us - conservatives, liberals, centrists, Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Christians, Jews, Muslims...ALL of us- while we continue arguing.
Debate is not a bad thing. Action among those who can find common ground and improve America is ever better.
I don't expect us to all sit in a drum circle or be sharing Coca-Colas and singing on a hillside or sing Kumbaya together around a campfire. At the same time, I think - as Americans (which most of us are) - we can do better.
Are you up to the challenge?
24 comments:
Sure common ground is a wonderful thins. the problem has been over the past 16 years or so that Common Ground in a liberals mind is their way or the highway and if you don't agree with me I will destroy you. Now that they have lost they are going nuts. How about we start with what is the definition of common ground.
These leftists believe in Fascism.
Yes to all you mentioned above.
One thing not mentioned is that one meme of the rally was to allow thousands of unvetted unknowns into our country as fast as possible. Did you lock your doors before coming down to the rally? Why? You should have left them wide open so anyone walking by could go in and do as they please.
I will NEVER agree with you on that policy.
The other meme is basically Hate Trump rally. To me, that doesn't sound much like "find that common ground, gather upon it, and build outward and upward from there...strengthen America."
Maybe you went to a different rally than I did.
President Trump is trying common ground. The ban was temporary. What they need to come to terms with is there is no way to properly vet those coming from the countries named in the ban.
The whole problem is to put it bluntly they are clueless. They don't know the first thing about the countries named in the ban. They think it's like here where everyone can go online and at least get a small picture of someone by using sites such as MD Judiciary Case search. They have no clue a lot these countries have no government. They are lawless. No one gets arrested for anything including murder, rape etc.
They also do not understand what being a state sponsor of terrorism means. They can not grasp the concept that these countries do falsify records. I can't remember but I believe it was in Benghazi that the equipment and supplies to falsify things like visas were stolen.
The bottom line is we are dealing with a small group of people like Molly and company who while they believe they are 'educated' are far from it. They have no idea what is going on in the real world. They live in a little bubble here on the Shore. They think international travel and going abroad means Jamaica.
The lack of debate comes from the left's hatred of conservative people. They have a group think type of attitude to conservatives. They define themselves as saints and therefore anyone who differs with them must be evil. No dialog is possible with such zealots.
" So, the challenge - at least in my mind - is to find that common ground, gather upon it, and build outward and upward from there.."
Right on the money.
Let's see who can be mature and loving enough to actually pursue this.
Sure Jim, if that common ground is turn the US into the Socialist state the answer is no Sorry. if it is to return the US to the Constitutional republic on which it was founded then lets have at it
I am more conservative and a better Trump supporter. Immigration is great as they follow the law when they get here and follow our laws and traditions. Also get a job and not collect "public assistance" living off the US tax payer. I cannot afford to live the way I want for paying for these illegal and legal "BUMS".
I didnt like this comment when I saw it the other day. I didnt like it because it has the distinct smell of professional cover up. It softly hides the important facts. Common ground can only be achieved you you and those like you admit openly, that you have in fact being lying...to the illegals and to the American people, even to your friends and families. You even lie to yourselves. You preach that its ok to break our laws to be here, to vote, to take jobs and money from American families. You are lying when you profess its all for humanity, that your only caring about immigrants.
The truth is, your doing all of this preaching and breaking laws for ONE goal....to increase the democratic liberal progressive lying azz voter base!!!! So you can further your cause in the destruction of this Nation and its Laws.
"PeopleSee all
Molly Likovich
Delmarva Public Radio"
A bit off topic but when you search Molly Likovich on FB and hold the cursor over it is still showing up that she once claimed on FB too that she worked for Delmarva Public Radio. So I guess posting her employer as Delmarva Public Radio on FB was also a "typographical mistake"?
Common ground can never be achieved when some chose to rally around a proven pathological and habitual LIAR like Molly Likovich. The sick little disgusting LIAR can't even be honest about where she works. Standing behind the LIAR only proves they are people who themselves are lacking in any morals and values.
Load them up and get them the hell out of the UNITED STATES!!!!
Everyone acknowledges we're a nation of immigrants. An ancestor came here drawn by the promise of a better life; that's the story of most. A few, in relative terms, came here voluntarily but elected to stay after being freed. That's Common Ground.
Our country continues to welcome immigrants, in accordance with our laws and regulations. The waiting list continues to be strong. Again, no dispute.
The current issue really centers on two related aspects:
How will we handle the numerous illegal aliens already here?
What conditions are satisfactory for letting 'refugees' bypass our normal immigration process?
My personal belief is that we really need to totally end 'birthright citizenship' being conferred on those whose parent/s are not US citizens. Period. That is and has been abused.
Many crimes have no statute of limitations; being here illegally falls in that category and that should continue.
'Green cards' permit legal residency here, and permit the holder to eventually seek naturalized citizenship, if they wish.
Illegal Aliens are anyone without a green card or a valid visa. If charged and convicted of any other offense, they should be deported in lieu of a 20 year prison sentence, pronto, with the proviso that if they return they do the time without possibility of parole. It would be a stiff disincentive. That eventually will rid us of the criminal element, to a large extent.
Remaining illegal aliens would have a window of opportunity to declare their presence, and family members. They would be issued a modified 'green card' (different color and form number) valid for two (2) years, renewable for (3) years and then renewable for (5) years. At the end of ten (10) years they could apply for conversion to regular green card, and from that point could pursue citizenship. The process would be the same for their family members; no grandfathering or birthrighting. A felony arrest would suspend the modified green card; a felony conviction would result in revocation and prompt deportation.
In today's environment, refugees, especially from broken countries require extensive vetting because of proven terrorism issues in their native lands.
Again, legal immigrants are welcome!
"That Thomas Jefferson's statement "All men are created equal," is applicable to all humans. Not just "Americans," or "free White Males," or "Christians" or any other subgroup. Human beings - as a whole - are CREATED equal."
This is either a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding of Thomas Jefferson's words.
The issue by which these words came about where the special rights the King and Royal Family and their entourage had in England. Laws didn't apply to them. The actual issue was the right of men to govern others equally no matter ethnicity, religion, a person's societal class, occupation, etc.
So how the words of Thomas Jefferson apply to this topic is we are a country of laws and since all are created equal everyone must follow the laws including immigrants there are consequences. They don't get any special treatment or rights just because they are immigrants. Illegals broke a law and should be treated the same as any other criminal.
"That America is historically a nation of immigrants and that immigration is not at its core a bad thing. "
We once too were "historically a nation of" slaves. Does that mean we should go back. Times change. in order to progress things change. No longer are we nation building. This isn't 1900 anymore Immigration has been an economic detriment. Immigrants keep wages low and stagnant.
"That the rights clearly and indisputably guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are sacred and should be protected."
What exactly are these rights that aren't being protected?
"That America and the world in general are under threat by extremists using their religion as a cover for more nefarious objectives."
They are not using religion as a cover. In fact, it is the terrorists who are being more true to their religion in following its precepts and prescriptions as dictated through the Angel Gabriel and transcribed verbatim by Mohammad. The problem is that 'the peaceful majority', who undoubtedly exist (thankfully for us) choose to compromise their true religion. They are, however, be brought back to its fundamental purity -- willingly, unwillingly, or forcibly -- by the pointed, radical, and apparently growing end of their religion. And, of course, we must assume that the great majority of that 'peaceful majority' would still like to see Shariah Law in their host countries because they have said this themselves and are doing it.
Yes all men are created equal and what that means is what is stated in above comments. All men regardless of race, religion, political class shall be treated the same. No special treatment for anyone. Illegals came here illegal. They aren't to be granted any special rights then anyone else who commits a crime!
This whole post is so ridiculous.
What exactly are these "nefarious objectives" the terrorists are trying to achieve? This objective as so stated in the Quran is to take over all of civilization. Some are doing it with terror others with immigration. No one is using "their religion as a cover." They are practicing their faith.
These are some of the best replies I've ever heard on a post. Good job to all those who commented!
"That Thomas Jefferson's statement "All men are created equal," is applicable to all humans. Not just "Americans," or "free White Males," or "Christians" or any other subgroup. Human beings - as a whole - are CREATED equal."
This has absolutely nothing to do with immigrants legal or illegal and refugees a wall, however they keep insisting that the founders wanted to include them in this notion of all men being created equal. It was about Royalty, period.
After this, the declaration (from the founders) added "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, " Important: Note the wording means NOT FROM ROYALTY BUT FROM THE GOVERNED This is the key idea in this declaration that "all men are created equal" -- it s about our independence from British Royalty Ruling based on their birth as Royalty and they having special rights such as being above the law because of their birthright.
Sounds like something Ron Pagano would write. He gets his info off of the MSM. He recently tried to claim Clinton had nothing to do with the uranium deal that sent 20% uranium capacity to Russia.
This is not true. Clinton had the most to do with it. The Clinton Foundation accepted millions of dollars from Uranium One during the sale, approved under Obama’s administration, while she was Secretary of State and had to be approved by her...... while the Podesta Group lobbied on behalf of company owned by Russia. Therefore, it’s a fact Clinton and President Obama presided over the sale of 20% of U.S. uranium capacity to Russia. Clinton as SS could very well have not approved the sale.
Coming to common ground with the uninformed low information is impossible. You have to know what you are talking about first.
Either written by Ron or James.
How about if all of them anti trump wackos walk thru sby like Mr Parsons did and see what happens to them. Better yet move out of your Hi dollar houses on the west side and move in sbys west side and see how you like you signs then.
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