Written by Ashley Rosenbaum
Many historical footsteps have been tracked across the Benson stage in years past, and on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m., two more sets of footprints graced the stage.Liberal and conservative columnists Bob Beckel and Cal Thomas presented their takes on today’s most controversial issues. Their goal? To change the way Americans discuss their differing views on politics.The duo used their bi-partisan friendship to write a monthly column for USA Today and a book called “Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America,” on which they based their presentation.Dr. Bob Reely, president of the American Studies Institute, said that both Thomas and Beckel had come to Harding before and were excited about returning.”Well, Cal Thomas, I could almost just sit and listen to him all day,” Reely said. “Bob Beckel reflects the left and his views are not necessarily what I agree with but they give you the opportunity to pause for thought. Both of them are kind of fun guys. They aren’t nasty in the way they present their views. They have been easy to host.”Thomas is a widely read author and Beckel is a television presence in news broadcasting, and their debate is a combination of their personal experiences and opinions.”I hope they [the students] benefited from it,” Reely said. “The midterm elections are coming and there are some differences, but at the same time there needs to be a dialogue and some common ground. I think it’s very important, particularly for a Christian university. We can have a lot of different points of view concerning issues in the church, but we have to learn to agree to disagree.”Steven Chandler, student president of ASI, said he believed that it was important for Harding students to see people with different opinions have some common ground.”We always need to be aware of the different political thoughts that run our country,” Chandler said. “Even if we do not agree with one side, it’s good to really listen and see what they have to say. Who knows, we may have more in common with the other side than we realize.”In their presentation, Beckel and Thomas discussed term limits, politicians, defense spending, education, religion and helping others who can’t help themselves.”There is only one God and one Savior, and politicians should shut their mouths because they will be judged,” Beckel said.Thomas said that the responsibility to take care of those in need is mandated by the Christian faith, but that many have fallen away from that.”Jesus commanded us to clothe the naked and feed the hungry – I think that we’ve gotten away from that,” Thomas said.Although Beckel and Thomas have differing viewpoints, they are able to reconcile their differences in the unity of being from the same country.”This nation was born on protest and survived on argument,” Thomas said. “Let’s be careful when we talk about patriotism. Bob loves America; so do I. Just because we take different positions on public policy doesn’t mean one loves our country more than the other.”
