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There are those who say that, as a country, we’ve never been more polarized.

There are those who say what we are seeing is justified retribution.

There are those who say we are skidding through the guardrails towards fascism.

I, however, still see hope in the light at the end of the tunnel. Or, more likely, from around a bend, in the form of headlights. Blinking headlights to signal oncoming cars—complete strangers—that they’d better slow down because they just passed a ‘Bear in the woods,’ for all you old Smokey and the Bandit fans: a parked patrol car under a tree with a radar gun in use.

It’s amazing, isn’t it? The vast majority of us support law and order with enormous respect for our local police force. And yet—and yet—while we’re having heated arguments on social media about politics, pointing fingers with smug assignations of blame and even cutting people with differing views out of our lives, we go out of our way to thwart the law by warning people we have never met, flashing our headlights in quick succession, silently warning, ‘SLOW DOWN!!’ or ‘HIDE YOUR OPEN CONTAINER’ or ‘DO A U-TURN IF YOU’VE GOT EXPIRED TAGS’ 

COP!!!

Honestly, I don’t think it occurs to any of us that we’re truly trying to thwart law and order. I think the subtext of those flashing headlights is actually, ‘SLOW DOWN, OR YOU’LL GET A TICKET AND POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE, THEN YOUR INSURANCE WILL GO SKY HIGH!’ And that’s something everyone can relate to.

Whatever the reason, I find great comfort in this reaching out to other drivers. It is a gesture of goodwill and protection. It comes from the heart. Regardless of the car or who is behind the wheel. Yes, we may be arguing with each other online, or in Congress, but as long as you see a pick-up truck with flags in its bed, flashing its lights at a Prius…

We’re going to be alright.