A momentous few weeks

The last few weeks have seen momentous events in the history of the United States.

The long battle over the national health care program has been ended by the Supreme Court. Not everybody is delighted with the decision, but it opens the way for some serious, unemotional discussion on how to improve it. That, in itself, may give a chance for constructive bipartisan thinking—something which should have been the goal from the very beginning.

The Supreme Court also declared that bans against same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. This did not delight everyone either, but it may put to rest to a contentious issue that does not even belong in the political arena.

And, as a result of the killing of nine in a South Carolina church, the movement to ban the Confederate battle flag from public spaces has gained momentum. To many, the flag is a symbol of past wrongs. To others, it is a symbol of a rich history of independence. The problem is that it has also become a symbol of intolerance and bigotry.

More recently it was announced that the United States and Cuba will reopen their embassies and resume diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 50 years.

Each represents long festering sores in the country. As a result of these few weeks, they may start to heal.

It is time to move on and use the energy and emotions consumed by these divisive issues to unite and strengthen the country.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher