Choose civility, reason

The infighting going on in this country is bigger than Donald Trump, bigger than political differences. The path we’re on leads to self-destruction. Consider these words by Napoleon Hill published in 1928:

“Every strategist, whether in business or war or industry or other callings, understands the value of organized, coordinated effort. Every military strategist understands the value of sowing seeds of dissension in the ranks of the opposing forces, because this breaks up the power of coordination back of the opposition. During the late world war much was heard about the effects of propaganda, and it seems not an exaggeration to say that the disorganizing forces of propaganda were much more destructive than were all the guns and explosives used in the war.”

What have we learned since then? As events unfold, watch for diabolical trends. The Greek word for “devil” is “diabolos,” which means to split, divide. Evil wears many disguises. Our enemies who shout, “Death to America!” are obvious, but the more subtle enemies - discord, dissension and disruption - can undo these United States.

The time has come to change direction, to replace disrespect and chaos with reason and order. It is up to us.

Kathy Berrigan

Kettle Falls