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KERA Commentary: Holiday Conflict

From: KERA
Length: 03:07

The personal price we can pay at holiday time for our political opinions. Read the full description.

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Playing: KERA Commentary: Holiday Conflict
From: KERA

Default-piece-image-0 Writer and literary consultant Chris Tucker looks at how America and its politics have changed since 9/11, how those conflicts have affected personal relationships, and the price we can pay for it during the holidays.

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Piece Description

Writer and literary consultant Chris Tucker looks at how America and its politics have changed since 9/11, how those conflicts have affected personal relationships, and the price we can pay for it during the holidays.

Broadcast History

"Holiday Conflicts" aired 12/19/2007 during Morning Edition on KERA 90.1 FM.

Transcript

It's no secret that America changed after Sept. 11, 2001. The major issues that now dominate our political landscape ?border security, surveillance, interrogation techniques-- barely registered before that day. It's a confusing time that's left many of us uncertain as to the best course to follow in this dangerous new world. The "red state/blue state" split is only one crude measure of a division that goes much deeper.

And for many of us, these conflicts seem all the more unfortunate during the holidays, that time of togetherness and harmony when, as the old song says, "those who are dear to us/draw near to us once more." This year, I find myself thinking of the people I've become estranged from as we took different political roads over the past few years.

My relationships with at least three relatives and a handful of friends have suffered because of these disagreements. I'll st...
Read the full transcript