Shades of grey

Like many others, my thoughts have been with the people in Iraq lately (with the innocent civilians and the soldiers that are there). During a lunchtime discussion at work one of my coworkers raised an excellent point. Why must most things that are said or reported on be cast in such absolutes? Issues are not all black and white. Just because someone is against the war, does not make them anti-American or against the troops. I might disagree with someone’s opinion on the war, but does that automatically mean their reasons are invalid?

A person who blatantly disregards someone’s ideas just because they don’t happen to share that opinion can tell me a lot more about them than what their opinions actually are. I only hope our leaders share this philosophy and can see the many shades of grey.