by Chap Petersen

This Sunday, I had drafted my usual glib newsletter, on the heels of a joyful 35th reunion at Williams College (Mass).

Then came the chilling news from Minnesota of the assassination of a Democratic House member and her husband, along with the wounding of a State Senator. The motives are still unclear but the bottom line was unavoidable:  it’s open season on political opponents in today’s America.

Whether it’s actual violence or approved vandalism, the expression of “outrage” is the #1 means of political ascent. The ensuing antics run the gamut from tedious to terrifying — but where does this constant negativity lead us?  

There are other ways …

When I first joined the House of Delegates in 2001, there were plenty of political fault lines: Rural vs. Urban, Democratic vs. Republican, Black vs.  White. In the aftermath of 9/11, tempers were short and debates were always tense.  

But we also created mechanisms to survive, not just politically but socially.  Through those gatherings, we forged friendships and eventually partnerships which crossed boundaries and got things done.

For me, the #1 way to make friends was through sports. Every Tuesday night, GA members and staff faced off at the VCU Rec Center for pickup basketball. Nothing like beating a political rival on a wicked cross-over. And, yes, we usually had beers afterwards.  

The #2 method was the Sunrise Caucus, which met on Tuesday mornings in the old State Capitol. A bipartisan Bible study, it focused on Scripture and fellowship, introducing lowly backbenchers (like me) to senior Committee chairs.

It wasn’t easy. After a long day in session, playing pickup basketball or getting up at 530 am for Bible Study is hard. But these activities did more than build fitness and discipline: They taught us not to hate our political opponents. At the end of the day, we are all Americans (or Virginians).   

We’re all on the same team.  

My time may be past. but these lessons must endure. There’s got to be more to life than just hating your own countrymen.  

To quote Abe Lincoln in his First Inaugural address: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must be friends.” Amen to that. 

Chap Petersen is a Northern Virginia attorney and former Democratic state senator. This column is republished with permission from his blog The Virginia Attorney.