tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post8976389040178151468..comments2024-01-26T11:15:51.116-05:00Comments on Virgil Speaks: Beyond Polarities: Occupying the "Third Space"Suzi Gablikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607780714282391671noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post-87095855643739314302011-02-11T18:48:06.806-05:002011-02-11T18:48:06.806-05:00Thank you so much, Suzi, for your observations and...Thank you so much, Suzi, for your observations and this article. As a citizen of Tucson and a member of Congresswoman Giffords' steering committee, the need for a new civil discourse has been strikingly apparent. The Congresswoman had already begun to work in that area -- and was working on both sides of the aisle.<br /><br />Efforts have already been initiated throughout our university, civic and business community to open a new conversation, and appreciate our President's call to live up to our children's dreams of how our country could be. I will disseminate your article and the book you mention. We are moving beyond our geographic space to a much broader platform.<br /><br />Let the new leadership of the future -- "the third way" -- begin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post-34490523215547494262011-02-11T18:40:09.931-05:002011-02-11T18:40:09.931-05:00Thank you for this observation and your article, S...Thank you for this observation and your article, Suzi. As a citizen of Tucson and member of Congresswoman's Steering Committee, I welcome the new conversation and Tucson is already entering the discussion of new civil discourse from all parties, and feel that the President's speech recently was the call to move forward that important conversation.<br />We are ready to initiate leadership in that arena.<br /><br />The new discourse must surely be the defining term of the future -- "leadership in the 'third space.'<br /><br />Let the conversation begin!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post-69872596861846882602011-02-04T23:12:17.050-05:002011-02-04T23:12:17.050-05:00A great leader lures our collective gaze upon that...A great leader lures our collective gaze upon that which most needs to be seen. <br /><br />Sometimes we need to see difference. We must look deeply into those we most trust and admire - our political parties, our nation, our religious organizations - and have the courage to criticize, and the resolve to demand accountability. <br /><br />Sometimes we need to see commonality. We must look deeply into those we most distrust and dispise - our enimies of all stripe - and have the humility to forgive, and the selflessness to identify with the broader, human family. <br /><br />The challenge for great leaders is that in those moments when we most need to look honestly at our closest allies, we are blinded by the safety of tribalism. And when we most need to see the humanity in others, we are engulfed by self-righteous rage. No one recognized the importance of the national gaze more than Lincoln, and no one was more willing to direct it while ignoring the inherent political risks than he. <br /><br />Obama has some of these instincts. I don't know how successful his policies will ultimately be. I believe, though, that his ability and willingness to transcend our national whims and draw our eyes to something beyond our immediate emotional investment will serve this nation in ways we hardly recognize at the moment. <br /><br />It's been a long time since we've seen true political leadership in this country. Perhaps we've forgotten what it looks like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post-9348235695357435802011-02-01T20:19:50.212-05:002011-02-01T20:19:50.212-05:00Much less venomous than usual.Much less venomous than usual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3682056367419528844.post-75395514325044093582011-01-30T08:39:32.328-05:002011-01-30T08:39:32.328-05:00One of your best! You have tracked Obama's ap...One of your best! You have tracked Obama's approach to leading this nation from the campaign until now with tireless awareness. The "third space" is a useful invitation for all of us since many of us may not have known that our morality had an imagination!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com