Reading the commentary from the last week or so, it seems to have been exclusively focused on the Page lawsuit, the firefighters and the atmosphere of intimidation that may or may not exist in the township.
Since moving the discussion to other things is likely to be impossible, I have two ideas to throw out there and see if you want to take part.
First: to anyone identifying with one 'side' or the other in the lawsuit issue: Here's your challenge. Pick someone you really disagree with - for some this might be Mr. Doyle, others Mr. Page. Write something nice about that person. Find something good about them. Find something you can respect and admire, and put it out there.
Second: I'd like to find just two individuals who have been personally affected by the 'divide', one from each side. I want two people who are willing to share their stories, but not in a 'he said, she said' kind of way. I want someone to tell the story from their perspective. What did you see? What did you feel? Talk about yourself, not the other parties. I want two smart, articulate people (lots of you out there in the comments) to step up and tell us what it was like for them.
If you are willing to be one of the two, please email me: doggerelparty@gmail.com. I'll need to know who you are, but I'll keep that confidential. My hope is that we can get an understanding of each side's experiences and emotions, without the accusatory stuff. Only by hearing each other like this, by listening more than talking and by being completely non-judgemental can we ever hope to bridge the divide.
UPDATE: This whole new father thing really brings out the mushy side, eh? Oh well, maybe it's a good idea anyway...
