Lest you think this is some tell all revelation, it is not.  Peggy Noonan is a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, a former speech writer for President Reagan, and has recently written, Patriotic Grace: What it is and why we need it now. Noonan suggests the vast majority of us are tired of the partisan slime (my word) attacks, the polarizing rhetoric of politics and yearn for a commonwealth where we have a basic respect for one another.  In the book she calls all Americans to get behind whomever we elect this fall and move beyond party turf protection.

I have been impressed with her grace on various talk shows, from the Daily Show to Meet the Press, she exudes a certain calm grace, a certain care for the soul.  She not only speaks of, but lives out in these interviews, a demeanor that will not succumb to cheap categorizations, flippant dismissals and feigned political piety.  Instead she speaks like someone you would want to talk to.  She speaks as one who is committed to the respect of all persons, the dignity of all persons.  She is not naive about the issues of our nation and the globe, quite the contrary.  She does understand that if we are to find life in this most poignant time of history, it will be as we work together, across and in the midst of great disagreements. 

She is a breath of fresh air.  She suggests we do have choices about how we will speak to and about all persons, particularly those with whom we differ, and more particularly with those who make our skin crawl.

She has much to say to this nation, let alone people of faith who proclaim all persons to be God's children.

Peace,

Todd