Gracious Disagreement

"You know, am I the only person in the entire United States of America who likes both George Bush and John Kerry, who believes they're both good people, who believe they both love our country and they just see the world differently?"

Bill Clinton at the opening of his Presidential Library on Thursday 18 November 2004

At the gathering, the following former Presidents (and one current President) also spoke graciously of former President Clinton:

President Bush,

Former President Bush,

and

Former President Carter.

I think because I'm so into conflict resolution, I love stories like this. It reminded me of the gracious comments that President Bush made of Clinton when his official portrait was unveiled in the White House in June.

Bush spoke first, lavishly lauding the man who defeated his father for reelection in 1992 and inspired his own campaign promise eight years later to restore honor and dignity to the White House. Bush kept glancing toward Clinton in the front row and at one point made Clinton laugh so hard, his face and neck turned red.

May God give us wisdom for those times when we disagree.