I recently read Gen. Colin Powell’s address to the graduating class of 1994 at Howard University. Gen. Powell’s address (tinyurl.com/Powell-speech) included this:

“America is a family. There may be differences and disputes in the family, but we must not allow the family to be broken into warring factions. From the diversity of our people, let us draw strength and not cause weakness. Believe in America with all your heart and soul and mind. It remains the ‘last best hope of Earth.’ You are its inheritors and its future is today placed in your hands.”

Powell’s wise words can guide us well.

Problem-solving together always involves conflict, but the conflict should never be the point!

The politics of blame — whether locally or nationally — spoil our work very quickly.

In our changing world we should strive to define, and attempt to solve, our country’s problems in a clear-minded and good-hearted way.

DAVE CUNDIFF

Ilwaco