If you fear me
When you see me
And I, in turn, fear you, 
The spiral of
Communication
Downward
Would be the envy
Of roller coaster
Engineers.

————————

As I was walking to St Joe,
I met a man with a broken toe.
He knew some things I did not know,
Which I suppose just goes to show ….

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There must be some detente if there is going to be any negotiation. Negotiators do not compromise principles. They start with common ground.

If I say that Z is an unprincipled ignoramus, but Z is holding cards we need for a mutual win, I've gained nothing by winning that battle.

f we can agree we have a problem and agree on some part of what it is and agree we want to solve it, we have made much progress. 75% maybe.

There's no shortage of clever slogans to obscure, marginalize, fragment, & distort the truth they purport to underscore- including this one.

If I represent Jesus, it may require that If I cannot recognize the name you are calling me, how can I know you want me to listen. Name calling accomplishes nothing of good ever.I keep my own opinions within the laboratory of my own mind until they are better formulated.

I cannot hear the voices whose volume exceeds their content or whose hyperbolic pronouncements outdistance their capacity to listen.

Politics at its best: collective, collaborative, courteous, and civil communication to solve problems as a people of differing perspectives.

To distinguish between
Opinion,
Preference, 
Emotion,
Perspective,
Prejudice,
Inspiration, 
&
Insight
Is no small task.
Speak.
Listen.
Be.

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My opinions are like underarms. 
Like most, I have two.
Others are offended by their emanating aroma before I notice
I need opinion hygiene.

Standing one"s ground may lead to necessary impasse, but one never knows until common ground us sought and all voices have been heard.

Meetings of minds are superfluous among clones, but essential to the fluid thoughts of intersecting individuals crisscrossing life's journey

—————————

Starting tomorrow, folks are going to have to start having face-to-face conversations, negotiations, and commitments to productive and cooperative governing – no matter who wins.