Today I am sharing my thoughts about this country with members of the Cleophan Club — a distinguished group of amazing women in Salt Lake City. I’ve chosen to speak about division v. unity in our country and the need for new ways of seeing.

After the tragic events of 9-11 America unified. Our hearts beat as one. We joined together in our sorrow and in our resolve. We knew our role in the world.

Last night Pres. Obama tried to cultivate this spirit again in all of us. I choose to let me partisan ties yield as our president calls upon us to recognize that at Americans our “endless blessings bestow an enduring burden.” We are called upon to lead.

As we lead it is right that we quit drawing lines. That we stop worrying about who gets the credit. That we refrain from picking sides. We need to focus on what we share in common – our shared American values of freedom, justice, compassion and human dignity.

Right now our politics do not reflect our knowledge or our best behavior. We need a post-partisan zeal. We must reclaim our unity as a people.

Adlai Stevenson said that patriotism is not short frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. Today as we remember 9-11 we need to remember this counsel.