A theme stood out as I read today's news. Unexpectedly, on this cold, blustery day for much of the nation, today's reporting was united by an underlying note of optimism, a flurry of encouraging signs that things are developing in a positive direction. Consider, for example:
Obama struck just the right note in accepting the Nobel Peace Prize - humility, but also the obvious point that in the real world, peace can't be had without war, or the threat of war. No reasonable person, whether detractor or defender, should have cause to be dissatisfied with his speech .
The media are making big news of a study that suggests Americans often accept the precepts of more than one religion. Too often, a formal religion is a straightjacket that encourages bigotry, hatred, and intolerance of other beliefs (even when tolerance is supposedly a fundamental precept). To me, this Pew survey showing Americans embracing multiple religions suggests a breakdown of that sort of barrier. Religious dogma means less, not more, to Americans, and that's positive. As several of those interviewed said, people don't necessarily accept that there's only one way - and that indicates respect for other ways.
Republicans are continuing to resist dealing with the country's problems by sticking their heads in the sand. Today's news brings evidence that the GOP is earning the nickname I've assigned them in this blog (Geezers Obstructing Progress) -- they're against improved health care, if it means insurance or drug companies may lose a dime; they're against sound financial management and consumer protections unless that can be done without regulations that banks and investment companies don't like; they bitterly oppose efforts to deal with climate and environmental issues if oil companies, factories, and utilities might have to modify their current operating procedures a whit. Is there any doubt about whose interests the GOP really works for? But this, too, is encouraging to me because I believe this approach is political suicide and will lead to a change of direction sooner rather than later.
In addition, extreme conservatives are talking about using "tea-party" politics to challenge both the established parties and bring their own candidates to elected office. I say, power to them, because I don't think they'll succeed; instead, they'll push many Republican politicians back toward the center -- which could get us back to a better-functioning, more bipartisan legislative effort than we now have. Or, if Republicans and conservatives choose to play the more-conservative-than-thou game, they'll enlarge the Democratic majority -- that won't be a bipartisan outcome, but at least it will be one in which some of the people's business can get done.
Even on the Second Amendment we had positive news today. This survey suggests that the NRA leadership, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce leadership, is out of touch with its members. It's always puzzled me that the NRA opposes even the most transparently reasonable efforts to reduce the mayhem produced by our gun culture. If in fact many NRA members themselves believe it's rational to keep guns away from terrorists and criminals, for example, then there is hope for progress. Maybe they'll toss out the rock-ribbed reactionaries at the top.
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