This is not the time for partisan bickering. This is not the

In times of crisis, the divisions of men must fall away like leaves before the storm. When Brad Henry declared, “This is not the time for partisan bickering. This is not the time for politics as usual. Some of us are Democrats. Some of us are Republicans. Some of us are Independents. Above all, we must be Oklahomans first,” he spoke with the voice of a leader calling his people to unity. His words rise beyond the clamor of political rivalry, reminding us that there are moments when identity, loyalty, and duty must transcend party and ideology.

This statement was born from the spirit of solidarity in the face of tragedy. It echoes through history whenever disaster strikes, whether from natural forces or human hands. Brad Henry, as Governor of Oklahoma, faced moments when his state endured profound suffering—tornadoes tearing through towns, fires scorching the land, or communities mourning the loss of lives. In such moments, politics as usual becomes a luxury the people cannot afford. The battlefield is not in legislative halls but in the streets, where neighbors rescue neighbors and unity becomes the only path to survival.

One of the most profound historical parallels comes from the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. Though this event preceded Henry’s tenure, it forever shaped the state’s spirit. In the aftermath of that horrific act of domestic terrorism, political affiliations ceased to matter. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents stood side by side, clearing rubble, comforting the wounded, and rebuilding their city. The tragedy revealed that in the deepest darkness, shared humanity shines brighter than any partisan banner.

Henry’s words carry a timeless truth for all nations. Throughout history, societies have faltered when leaders clung to division during times of peril. The fall of the Roman Republic was hastened by political factions more concerned with defeating one another than defending their people. Conversely, during World War II, American leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill set aside party politics to focus on the survival of their nations. History shows us that unity is not merely a virtue—it is a necessity when the stakes are life and death.

The call to be Oklahomans first is symbolic of a greater ideal. It is a reminder that beneath our differing labels, we are bound by shared land, shared history, and shared destiny. When catastrophe strikes, it does not ask whether one is liberal or conservative; it sweeps across all alike. To fight such forces, the people must stand as one body, their hearts beating to a single purpose. In that unity lies strength, healing, and hope.

Let this teaching be carried through the generations: there is a season for debate and a season for action. When calamity comes, bickering must cease, and the ties of community must tighten. Whether in Oklahoma, or across the world, the highest calling of a citizen is to rise above faction and remember that we are one people, bound together in courage and sacrifice. In this, true leadership and true greatness are revealed.