Reconciling

IN THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES, those of a certain age will recall, there appeared over Antarctica a hole in the ozone layer, which is a layer in the upper atmosphere of oxygen molecules, unattached to hydrogen or any other element, which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, making life on earth possible. The conservative community dismissed this as a liberal hoax, true to form, and indicated its intention of doing nothing about it. Two iconic conservative leaders, however, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, came through. They signed an international agreement outlawing the primary cause of ozone depletion, chloroflourocarbons, and over the years since the Earth, as it tends to do if only given the chance, has gradually repaired itself In 1990 the Starkist company, a subsidiary of the Heinz corporation, announced that it was eliminating the methods of tuna fishing which were harmful to dolphins. since then, dolphins and dolphin lovers have been most grateful. These two instances prove that conservative leaders, corporations, and conservatives in general can in fact rise above their usual behavior, and do the right thing. Liberals are well known for sharply criticizing conservatives and their policies, not without justification. It is therefore incumbent upon progressives to give credit where credit is due. I haven't been a big fan of the republican party nor of conservatism since Watergate. Strident, zealous Christianity has repulsed me since I was a child. Political conservatism wed to evangelical Chrisianity, an american original, I find creepy, despicable. But in the age of the killer Corona virus, we suddenly have a powerful new motive for seeking common ground, a reason for all of us to unite, against a microscopic machine. Bt only if we are willing to try.