Former Fairhope Councilman Calls For Unity

CHRISTENBERRY ADDRESSES UNITARIANS

Former City Councilman Cecil Christenberry spoke to the Unitarian Universalists recently about the need for unity within an unusually angry local/national political climate. He called it a particularly appropriate place, where all are welcome: Republicans, Democrats, Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Buddhists, atheists, et al.

Christenberry said Fairhope is famous for its colorful characters and political debates: the Founders traditionally gathered on the bluff regularly to choose topics for "rousing" discussions ("no guns allowed"); and its been said "wherever you find two Fairhopers there are at least five different opinions."

Christenberry: "That's wonderful. We don't all have to think alike . . . its ok to oppose . . .  have dialogue  . . . everybody has a right to be wrong. "

"Unity is focusing on what unites us instead of the petty issues that divide us. We are all human beings"

SAYS FREE SPEECH HAS LIMITS

Christenberry observed that the democratic process wasn't a pretty sight,  looks like making sausage, but he saw too much anger/mean-spiritedness in today's debate (involving rumor mills, personal political agendas, big egos, personal gain-seeking, etc.).

Christenberry: "Democracy is a participatory sport . . . that means we need to participate . . . but there are  limits . . . in a democratic society . . . we have majority rule."

INFORMATION OVERLOAD BLAMED

Christenberry said in the past there were fewer media sources (got all our news from Walter Cronkite) but today "its 24/7 . . . we're bombarded with information . . . tv, talk radio, newspapers, blogs, Internet . . . I blame the media for some of it."

"School bullies used to be on the yard -- but now they're on the Internet . . . there's so much coming at us . . . no wonder there is so much anger, wrath . . . dissension."

"Its not limited to politics though," citing the poisoning of oak trees at Auburn University by an irate football fan as an example (Harvey Updike/Paul Finebaum radio show).

He added often the news reporting is inaccurate -- or just a snippet gets reported. (He cited a recent erroneous newspaper article concerning his opinion of Police Chief Press as an example.)

OFFERS SOLUTIONS

Christenberry said some "radicals" had chosen to just turn it all off, stop reading the newspaper, turn off Lori Dubose on the radio, stay out of chat rooms and blogs; but "hiding our heads in the sand" is not the way:

"There is hope: I believe it starts with you; and it starts with me.

First, step back, and take a deep breath: don't take ourselves so seriously.

Lighten up . . . laughter is good medicine!

Talk about it, we have a lot of real good talkers in our community; but --

part of talking is listening . . . in  rational discussion and a sense of respect for the ideas of others --whether we like them or not.

Seek truth, as we understand it, based on solid communication . . . from the horse's mouth . . . don't need a third party . . . go after the truth ourselves."

SAYS FIGHT BACK


"For evil to triumph,  good people have to do nothing, or something like that," Christenberry said.

"Its not easy.  Somehow we have to get a grip. It starts with me and it starts with you. Whether you like the politicians or like the police chief, or each other --  its up to us to be united in the community we all love so much."

ASKED TO CONSIDER A RUN FOR MAYOR

In the question and answer session that followed, one spectator asked Christenberry to consider running for  Mayor in next August's election.

Citizen: "I know I am not alone . . . in asking that you . . . would run for Mayor. You have a responsibility . . . on a platform of unity . . . you could be our next Mayor."

Christenberry: "You've gone too far now!"