I also know that there have been many times in our history when the proximity of an election has induced exactly the kind of leadership and consensus-building that produce progress in our democracy.
Except for naval and air exercises our military should be stationed on American soil where service men and women can lead normal lives in close proximity to family and friends.
Besides the noble art of getting things done there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.