[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Unite! Unite! All right already!

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Unite! Unite! All right already!
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1216576788.shtml


   I'm getting tired of the word "unite" or rather, the overuse and
   misuse of the word. Political candidates claim they can unite or
   re-unite Minnesota, America, or the World, as if that's axiomatically
   desirable. And unite to them means capitulation, you join them, not
   the reverse. Activists claim their communities are already united in
   spirit, their way of course, and just need to act to right whatever
   ship they think is foundering.
   United we stand, divided we fall. E pluribus unum, from many, one.
   "Can't we all just get along?" Division, "dis-unity" if you like, is
   considered intrinsically flawed by many, the ones who would rather not
   debate.
   Kirby Puckett said, "Play hard, have fun, and respect the game." Unity
   should be about respecting the game, like three strikes and you're
   out. That's what our Republic is about, establishing a framework for
   debate, not ending it. But once we, er, unite about the rules, let's
   debate hard, even have a little fun doing it.
   As Dennis Prager says, let's "prefer clarity to agreement."