The State of the Union Address, delivered "in-person" has been spoken by our Presidents 96 times.

            Listening to, and absorbing the information delivered could be so much easier if the members of Congress on either side of the aisle would refrain from applauding or pausing for standing ovations.

            The words must speak for themselves and the ability of the listener to draw their own views should not be hindered or facilitated by their observations of partisan action.

            All that does is give bloggers more ammunition to blast either side based on their perception of the volume of the applause or who and how many rose from their seats.

            Let the message be heard and quiet the partisanship for the duration of the speech.

            In Tuesday nights' address, President Donald Trump called on Washington to cast aside "revenge, resistance and retribution."  A noble message that needs someone to begin to set the example.  That, of course should be the speaker of those words and each time it is done represents a step in the right direction towards civility among our nation's leaders.

            And, each overture towards reconciliation should be acknowledged as such, and not automatically dismissed because we're members of the "other side."

            It is rare to find an issue that all will fully agree on.  But, we can still find ways to agree on a way to find a solution to them.

            If our national leaders can't find a way to work together are they telegraphing a message to state and local leaders that this is the new norm?

            We can't let it be the new norm.  We can agree to disagree and still work towards a common good.  The problem seems to be that those in our Nation's Capital have a problem defining what the common good is.

            There are many people who regard compromise as a sign of weakness.  But, when there is no solution in sight to a disagreement and a solution must be found, compromise is the only answer.  No compromise – no solution.

            Yet, too many politicians seem to prefer no solution over compromise.  With that way of thinking, how will anything ever get done?

            We will agree, we will disagree – none of us are exempt from facing that reality.  How we handle ourselves during each episode defines us.  How we work with others will reflect on how others will work with us.  Will we get the job done or will it linger while something, or someone, suffers.

            How do we deliver that message to our leaders when there are hard-lefts and hard-rights who are firm believers in "my way or the highway?"

            Compromise is not a dirty word.

            The thing to remember is that my way is not always right, and neither is yours.