President George W. Bush’s eulogy of Dick Cheney, his vice president, brought back memories of a kinder, gentler America — a time when those elected to office did what was best for our country, not their political party. 

Bush's reassuring words came after an unthinkable government shutdown, which paralyzed essential functions and threatened to stop flights during our country’s busiest travel time — Thanksgiving. 

The shutdown underscored how angry and bitterly divided our nation is today. The old adage “Don’t personalize difference” has been wiped out by a tsunami of character assassinations. Now, it's open war on opponents over social media, on cable news, and on the streets of cities across America. It's bringing our nation to its knees. 

In the first year of Bush’s presidency, America faced its most challenging time since the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which propelled our country into World War II. On Sept. 11, 2001, Bush became a “wartime” leader and the complexion of his presidency changed. 

Thankfully, Dick Cheney was in the White House on Sept. 11, 2001, and amid the turmoil, Cheney steadied the country while Bush weaved his way home on Air Force One. 

Bush reached out to all Americans, our allies, and elected officials of both parties. He was resolute in unifying us, and for a moment in time, the focus was on what is best for our country. 

In August 2003, a small group of us met with Bush at Boeing Field. That day he told us that 9/11 changed everything. He intended to focus on education and streamlining government. Instead, he was forced to dive into homeland security and rooting out the evil forces which masterminded 9/11. 

Dick Cheney, who was Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, was charged with the task. Cheney had a steady hand and rather than lapsing into a degrading diatribe, finger pointing, and caustic rhetoric, Cheney ably told us what was important and why.   

People may have disagreed with Cheney and Bush — and there would be heated criticism — but neither resorted to villainizing their adversaries. Their words were carefully chosen. 

Noted political analyst Frank Luntz argues that words are not just tools for communication, but also for persuasion, and that those who understand the power of words can use them to influence others. 

Luntz points out that it's what people hear which is paramount. Judging from the 24-hour battering, name calling, and blaming others, people don’t like what they hear, are polarized, and angry. 

It's not the first time Bush made his point about civility. On Sept. 11, 2021, he spoke in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a quiet rural town where about 40 passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93 overpowered al-Qaeda hijackers who took control of the airplane and crashed it. That jet was headed for either the White House or Capitol.

When it comes to the unity of American people, those days seem a distant past, Bush said in Shanksville. A malign force seems at work in common life that turns every disagreement into an argument and every argument into a clash of cultures. 

“So much of our politics has become a naked appeal to anger, fear, and resentment. That leaves us worried about our nation and our future together,” Bush added.     

Our nation was built upon freedoms and differences of opinion. Political debate historically has been fiery and contentious, but in past times, opponents have found ways to reach agreement for our common good.

Bush concluded it is not that way now and acrimony is running through our system like out-of-control wildfire.

Regardless of your feelings towards George W. Bush, his words are wise and desperately needed. Things simply must change — and soon.

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist.  He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at [email protected].