It’s Not Us Versus Them – It’s Just Us

Significant achievements result at the hands of many. Our President is our Commander in Chief and deserves praise for his role in the achievements that occur under his watch. This is the case with every President – past, present and future. While many are praising Barack Obama since the ultimate capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden was done at his command, many are attempting to diminish the role he and his administration has played, claim that the ‘real’ credit goes to the Bush Administration or are finding a way to be critical in other ways. Anyone with a shred of common sense realizes that achievements made while a President is in office are not realized at his (or her) hands alone or are often a continuation of what began during a previous administration. Many people, sometimes actual armies of them, are integral to reaching an end goal. It saddens me that when we – The United States of America – has something to celebrate, there are people  intent on disrespecting the achievement by making it a “them versus us” type of political pissing contest – a tendency that is not limited to any one political affiliation. It is beyond me why some feel a need to ascribe credit for this latest victory to our previous administration or to vehemently remind everyone of the efforts made by that administration. Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past almost decade you are aware of the events of 9/11, who was responsible and the United States’ efforts to capture that individual and his lackeys. The Bush Administration got it started and Obama Administration has seen it through.  When we are all working towards the same end is there really a need for a scorecard, point tallying or dividing of credit?  For almost ten years countless Americans have been working and sacrificing to capture Bin Laden – I do not know nor care about their political affiliations but I do know I am grateful to them and to all of those individuals who played a role, worked tirelessly and sacrificed in many ways – some with their lives – to see this day realized. Vince Lombardi once said, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” Finding and killing Bin Laden is an achievement that was realized through the combined efforts of many individuals. Those individuals are of different genders, races, sexual orientations, political and religious leanings – of that I am sure.  Can’t we just be grateful for their collective achievements or must we be grateful with an asterisk?  - AMB

What values does it take to think and act objectively when working with people whose views or opinions are different from yours? Do you find it difficult to thank, honor or recognize the achievements of those whose political affiliations or other beliefs differ from yours? Why or why not? Why do you think people feel a need to ‘stake claim’ to or downplay the achievements of others?