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OPINION WWW.FAUQUIER.COM
Fauquier Times | October 31, 2018
To heal our divisions: Vote, listen and look for common ground In one week, voters go to the polls to vote in the midterm elections. You’ve read the news, seen the ads, and, hopefully, many of you are planning to vote, if you have not done so already by absentee. No matter what your political persuasion, voting is a civic duty. It is one of the characteristics of this nation that make it unique and envied. Citizens of many nations strive to have the opportunity that is our birthright. Not only are you voting for Senate and House seats, there are also ballot measures to be decided, underlying the need for all to get to the polls and make their voices heard. It is an empty action to complain about our laws and lawmakers if one hasn’t taken the time to cast a OUR VIEW ballot. Many would argue just going to the polls is not enough, and they are right. An uneducated vote is often a wasted vote. Prep yourself. Read up on the ballot measures. Read pros and cons from all sides. Even if your inclination is to vote straight ticket, take some time to research your decisions. Our newspaper’s in-depth interviews with many of the candidates and coverage of debates are available on Fauquier.com. On the front page of today’s edition is a checklist of five hot-button issues asked of all the candidates. It serves to point out that on many of the issues, the parties are divided as ever when it comes to their positions. What’s worse, last week’s horrific violence, including the heartbreaking synagogue shootings and the pipe bombs that were mailed — but, thankfully, never exploded — to high-profile critics of President Donald Trump are yet more evidence of our country’s deep ideological divide. Is this who we are as a people, so driven by our political intolerance that we act out in violence or fan the flames of hatred? We believe this not to be true. We believe these actions are outliers. Recent studies show that tribalism in political thought is driven by a small percentage of the population on the extreme edges of the political spectrum. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, trying to make sense of it all, trying to vote for the right people and issues based on our personal belief systems. Yet we interact on a daily basis, in all walks of life — in business, education, school athletics and more — with people with whom we disagree. Our circles, our workplaces, even our families, are a likely a mix of liberals, conservatives, progressives and populists. We may differ in our religions, our worldviews and our ideas about the solutions to our nation’s problems, but we must do so with civility. It simply isn’t feasible to live in a silo insulated from others. In the end, it is our differences that give our country strength. So left, right, or somewhere in between, please take advantage of the gift so many fought to win and preserve for us: Vote. Then go one step further. Listen with patience, tolerance and an open mind to those who vote differently. In these divided times, while condemning political violence of all kinds, we must try to understand each other and find common ground.
FAUQUIER FLASHBACKS: FROM THE FAUQUIER TIMES In 1943, C. M. Sauer opened a ‘Five-and-Dime’ variety store on the corner of Main and present-day Second Street in Warrenton. In May 1953, Sauer swapped businesses with Carl Braun, who had a similar store in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Braun had the Warrenton business until 1963, when it was sold to the S. h. Kress Co. It is now the home of Molly’s Irish Pub. 75 Years Ago Nov. 4, 1943 The Fauquier 4-H Club boys made a clean sweep of the State Milking Contest held Saturday in Lynchburg. The Dairy Club was named the outstanding dairy club in the state. L.H. Eicher, vice president, was named outstanding dairyman; and Giles Early was the high individual in the milking contest. Army Capt. George W. Dickerson of Warrenton was photographed with fellow officers on an island battlefield in the Pacific. Dickerson, 25, was president of his class all four years at Warrenton High School and graduated in 1941 from VPI. The Fauquier Democrat this week was admitted to membership in the Audit Bureau of Circulations, becoming the second weekly newspaper in Virginia to be able to claim ABC membership. 50 Years Ago Nov. 7, 1968 Suspense film director Alfred Hitchcock was photographed on the set of a scene for his forthcoming film Topaz at Ayrshire Farm, Upperville. Also, in the photo was John Forsythe, who played a CIA agent in the movie adaptation of Leon Uris’ novel about espionage. Middleburg artist Custer Cassidy has demonstrated again with his Cassidy Cartoon Calendar for 1969, with 12 drawings of horses and riders in trouble.
Airman Raymond W. Gill Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Gill of Warrenton, has completed the U.S. Navy’s firefighting school at Mayport Naval Station, Florida. He is currently attached to Attack Squadron 174 and is undergoing familiarization with the A-7 aircraft. The Fauquier Red Cross has shipped nearly 100 ditty bags filled with goodies and useful items to the armed forces in Vietnam. 25 Years Ago Nov. 3, 1993 Just as the Democrats headed to Washington earlier this year, the Republicans are on their way to Richmond. Locally, Republican candidate for the 31st District seat in the House of Delegates Jay Katzen will fill the seat currently held by first-term Democrat Jerry Wood. Midland’s Dwight Robinson has run his way into the James Madison University football record book with the second kickoff return touchdown of his career. Robinson, a redshirt junior, returned the opening kickoff of Saturday’s game at William and Mary 90 yards for his second touchdown runback of the season. Fauquier High School Homecoming King Matt McGee was photographed giving Homecoming Queen Casey Schaeffer a ‘peck on the cheek’ at Friday night’s game against Osbourn Park. — Compiled by John T. Toler
