Learning to walk the talk
If you missed Tom Hamilton's front-page column in last Friday's paper, it's well worth looking up.
Weighing in at close to 2,800 words, the text of a speech Hamilton delivered Thursday to Kootenai County Republican Women opened with some of America's most revered principles and led to the rights and responsibilities of individuals.
Hamilton's focus eventually zeroed in on bullying and the desire for citizens to be able to disagree boisterously but respectfully, without sacrificing or compromising their values. He wrote of people being defined by their beliefs and their behavior and not by labels.
Just as Hamilton has made his share of enemies along the local political path as a vocal member of the Coeur d'Alene School Board, so has he earned respect. The column enhanced some readers' opinion of the man, while others pointed to a barbed sentence in the same piece:
"For every time a good conservative holds their tongue they can find five angry liberals wagging theirs," Hamilton wrote.
That's the real Tom Hamilton, critics were quick to suggest. But the real Tom Hamilton also quickly apologized for the gaffe:
"My intent was to convey that we (I) cannot use the behavior of others to condone our (my) own poor behavior," he responded. "I do realize (now) that by attaching labels to the point, the message wasn't properly conveyed. My apologies for that..."
We believe we're witnessing a conversation that, despite bumps and bruises that certainly will mark the way, can lead our community to a higher state of civility. With greater civility will come more effective governance.
The path won't be painless, as we were reminded Monday. In a special meeting, the Coeur d'Alene City Council formalized its opposition to bills in the Legislature that would invalidate cities' and colleges' stances on sexual orientation and guns. Respectful disagreement reportedly degenerated into a verbal confrontation after the meeting that nearly required police intervention.
If Hamilton can help deliver the message of mutual respect leading to better governance, more power to him. If he and other leaders can personify it, more power to all of us.