Can we talk? I mean — really talk? No, I mean “talk,” as in “have a conversation,” you know, that activity where Person A speaks while Person B listens, then Person B speaks while … hey, can you stay with me for a sec? No scrolling the social channels, no checking your phone for that life-altering message that you just know you’re getting at any moment. 

Let’s focus. 

I talk, you listen. You talk, I listen. And each of us can confirm we’re listening by stating, “I hear you, and what you’re saying is …” Then fill in the next line with a word or phrase to indicate that connection and establish a civil rapport whereby you speak, I listen; I speak, you listen. Maybe it’s a short exercise or perhaps it becomes a lengthy, well, I think I’m trying to describe something that is sorely lacking these days: Conversation. 

You talk, I listen. We trade ideas, share opinions, and express support for our sources of information on which we base our thoughts and observations. We can even question each other, perhaps challenge the veracity of each other’s sources. And we seek common ground, even if that ground has light-years separation on the political or religious spectrum.  

We don’t have to agree. And none of this phony “agree to disagree” nonsense. That’s disingenuous. We can go our separate ways, back to our respective corners without hating each other or nuking each other with the latest talking points that are designed to further divide us and foster disdain for each other. 

Can we do that? Can we talk? I mean — really talk? I do worry about the social temperature of our country and how hot the inferno could get depending on the results of next month’s election. Mighty wheels of strife are already in motion, regardless of the outcome, so maybe it’s pollyannaish of me to suggest or hope that we can collectively choose to be our best selves even though the contagion already circulating may seem to give us excuses to be our worst. 

When Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office during his first inauguration on March 4, 1861, the nation was thirty-eight days away from exploding into the Civil War. Though that seemed inevitable, he called on Americans to summon “the better angels of our nature.” Eventually, that attitude prevailed, though after unimaginable bloodshed. 

May we find our “better angels” more quickly in the fall of 2024. 

And now, I welcome you to the October “Finance” issues of COMO Business Times and COMO Magazine. I was remiss last month by not recognizing new-to-us writers Roger McKinney (retired Columbia Tribune education reporter) and stand-up-comedian in the making Ryan Sheehan. Our roster of freelancers has expanded considerably in the past few months. 

With that in mind, let us know the stories you’d like to see covered, which stories we’ve reported well, and what we can do better. 

Finally, here’s a hearty welcome to a new sidekick, Associate Editor Kelsey Winkeljohn, an incredibly gifted writer and a uniquely talented soul with contagious and captivating creative energy. (Doesn’t hurt that she tolerates my obsession with the Oxford comma. And sloths.)