Citizen Tom

We are a nation of diverse Peoples. The United States contains people of all religious faiths and ethnic groups, and we have a tradition of working well together. Nonetheless, recent years have seen hardening political party and ideological lines. While we usually succeed in accepting people of other races and differing faiths, we each still tend to have problems with people who do not share our political and religious beliefs. We are still trying to define what it means to be appropriately tolerant.

Although some political and ideological rivalry is healthy, we must avoid reaching point where reasonable compromises become impossible. Bridge Makers is designed to recognize bloggers (particularly those in Northern Virginia) willing to reach out across ideological and party lines to help their fellow citizens. The criteria is simple.

1. The blogger has to publicly come to the aid of a fellow citizen whose political persuasions differs significantly with his own. For example, the Republican or conservative blogger has to come to the defense of a Democrat or vice versa.
2. The blogger must avoid compromising his or her own beliefs.

The purpose of this recognition is to recognize bloggers who in their actions embody the spirit of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10: 29 - 37

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Nominations are welcome, and this page is open for comments with respect to this subject. However, comments will eventually be deleted.

Past Winners

1. Ragnar, a poster, on Bearing Drift — See Bridge Makers: Coming Together to Face the Next Crisis, February 11, 2007
2. Cominius, a poster, on The Virginian Federalist — See Bridge Maker Post at the Virginian Federalist, August 5, 2007