by Bob Spitzer, Stevensville
Around here, we sometimes call ourselves “Rooters.” We live beneath the same mountains, travel the same roads, shop in the same stores, and wave to one another as we pass.
But we certainly don’t always agree.
We disagree about politics. We disagree about government. We disagree about what ought to happen in our valley and across our country. Sometimes we may disagree pretty strongly.
But when your fence goes down, I’m not going to ask how you voted before I help you mend it.
When your livestock gets loose, I’m not going to ask whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat, an independent, or none of the above before I help you get them back where they belong.
If your pickup slides into the ditch on a snowy Bitterroot morning, the fellow who stops to pull you out probably won’t ask what bumper sticker you have.
That’s what neighbors do.
Somewhere along the way, we seem to have gotten the idea that disagreement makes us enemies. I don’t believe that. I think two good people can look at the same problem, come to completely different conclusions, and still shake hands across the fence.
Maybe that old fence is a pretty good example for all of us.
A fence has different posts standing in different places, but they’re connected. And when one section falls, neighbors come together and mend it.
We Rooters have something much more important in common than our political opinions.
We share this valley. We share our communities. And we are neighbors.
So disagree with me. I might even disagree right back.
But if you ever need a hand mending that fence, give me a holler.
I’ll bring the pliers.
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