Olympics remind us we're all Americans

In the old days I probably would have jumped into the fray on this page after last week’s presidential debate, or Monday’s Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

I would have weighed in because, well, it’s labeled an opinion page. There were expectations of discussion of the current issues affecting us. Whether it was local or national issues, I wasn’t afraid of taking my turn at stirring it up and generating public discourse.

Letters to the editor were welcomed, not feared, because part of the duty of a local newspaper is being the vehicle of the public exchange of ideas.

Then, social media evolved and the feedback took a nastier turn, sometimes anonymously instead of a signed name on a letter to the editor. Anger and hate started to replace respectful differences of opinion.

I could sit down with both Democrat Leonard Boswell and Republican Horace Daggett from our area at the Iowa Statehouse during a legislative session visit, and we could hold a civil conversation with each other as they politely outlined their differences in legislative approaches.

Civility is in short supply these days. We’re all on one team or the other, sometimes reminding us by flags or stickers proudly displayed in public.

”I’m American,” a character says in Alex Garland’s movie, “Civil War.”

”What kind of American are you?” asks a soft-spoken, yet psychopathic soldier.

It’s a fictional movie, but I have genuine concern that our ideological war in this country will continue to get more unruly, separating folks who could easily have cordial relationships. People take it WAY more seriously than in the past. I’m thinking the movie might hit so close to home that it won’t be a comfortable watch.

These days, the other side is a nasty enemy that should be tried for treason, instead of just a person with a different view.

I’m not saying I’ll never return to political commentary. But, during this week of celebrating Independence Day in America, I choose to focus on something more positive and unifying. By now, you’ve already been bombarded with divisive content.

Last week Deb and I spent considerable time watching the U.S. Olympic Trials in sports such as track and field and gymnastics. I know many people also enjoy the swimming and diving that’s been on recently.

Believe it or not, BOTH Democrats and Republicans can be equally patriotic, and there’s no better reminder of that than how we all get behind the U.S. Olympic athletes.

On NBC’s coverage of the trials, we often heard the phrase, “The dream of many; the reality of few.”

These athletes train their entire lives for the chance to compete in the Olympic Games. It’s cool to watch those dreams come true. Their parents, who hauled them around to competitions since preschool in some cases, join in the celebration of the moment.

You can just tell those young people are proud to be representing the United States of America and give it their all. We don’t need to know who they support for President. It’s probably best that we don’t know.

In those moments, we’re all on the same team. “One for all!” was another phrase on the telecast.

That’s true patriotism.

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Contact the writer: Email: malachy.lp@gmail.com X: @larrypeterson