"opposition" does not = "enemy"

Janie Cheaney makes that point nicely in her most recent essay for World-- a disturbing cultural sign, most evident in politics...

The casting of a spouse as the enemy is a danger sign; if it becomes habitual, the marriage is in trouble. And (leaping from the personal to the political), if the leaders of a nation view their political opposition not merely as mistaken, but as evil and destructive, the nation is in trouble.

Early in the 2004 presidential campaign, I recall a debate among the throng of Democratic candidates...During a rancorous stage in the discussion, Howard Dean tried to restore perspective with the observation that they should tone down the rhetoric and remember they're basically allies: "George Bush is the enemy."

His remark won applause from the audience and nods among the candidates. Not one word of dissent. Someone could have said, "Wait a minute, Howard. George Bush is the opposition, not the enemy...."