Lee Keefer of Oxford wrote a very nice, detailed letter in response to my recent blog on how could The Oakland Press promote cohesiveness and not divisiveness in today’s society.

I discussed his views on impartiality on Wednesday. Now let’s take a look at his views on “unit cohesion” and “freedom of opinions.”

“...You asked the question, what can the OP do to ‘promote cohesiveness and a more harmonious society and still let people differ on their opinions.’ In the general sense, you must ‘clarify’ and not ‘magnify.’ I believe tabloids are best at magnifying people and events into comical or grotesque caricatures for sensationalist journalism.
“And that is what politics is all about — magnifying the differences between ourselves to such an order of magnitude that it no longer becomes ‘We the People’ but ‘The Enemy Within.’

“The OP editorials should delve broadly and deeply into the issues, and where applicable or needed, advocate a direction or solution that was derived from an open mind, a deep well of sincerity, and careful weighting of all sides and things considered.

“And that is no small task, but one filled with a deep sense of obligation and commitment toward the betterment of the community.

“I reference ‘unit cohesion’ in allusion to the Pentagon’s concern with the repeal of D.A.D.T. Whatever side you may fall on the debate, one has to respect the great weight and importance our military gives to the notion of unit cohesion. And therein I ask you — our newspapers and media — to dedicate yourselves with the same zeal and passion toward the unit cohesion of our community. Because it is very important.
“If a band of brothers will fight and die for one another, leaving no soldier behind, then what would that mean when our citizens act and feel the same? United we stand, divided we fall. Yet it would seem the political efforts are to drive us seemingly toward civil war, and the media a willing participant in magnifying that effort.
“We should both sit on the same side of the table, and on the other side of the table should sit the problem, because the problem is the ‘enemy.’ And when we start there, the mood and tone changes instantly...”

Again, Mr. Keefer, thank you for your straight forward comments.

I believe, in this respect, I agree with Mr. Keefer. And The Oakland Press has editorialized about bipartisanship and compromise.

However, it certainly is debatable how successful our editorials have been in driving this point across to our leaders.

As I said Wednesday and I’ll repeat it now, in our editorials we will strive to not widen any rifts that exist on an issue and we will try not to promote divisiveness but unity in the respect that all of us are in this together. It’s just easier said than done but we’ll keep working at it.