"I'll not listen to reason...Reason always means what someone else has got to say."

Elizabeth Gaskell

Elizabeth Gaskell was a 19th century English novelist whose rural characters often were surprisingly keen in their judgments. The remark quoted above echoes thoughts many of us harbor. Certainly it's not always easy to listen. We might be convinced against our will. Still, listening is a word we are beginning to hear quite often and it marks a positive change in our society. When she ran for the United States Senate three years ago, Hillary Clinton began her campaign by traveling around New York State to listen to what the New Yorkers had to say. It was her way of understanding New York. The Catholic bishops have announced that they will hold listening sessions in the wake of the scandals that have beset them and these sessions are welcome. Locally St. Mary's Church last week held three listening sessions to discover the concerns of its parishioners. During the past CASA weekend, parents were urged to listen to what their children are telling them, even if they're not telling them in words. Manhasset Public Schools are listening to what residents have to say before making final plans as to the direction of the schools. All these seem to us as good signs that those in a position of leadership are responding to the people. As the old saying goes, "you can't tell the players without a scorecard" and you can't hear what people are saying to you if you don't listen.

E.F.B.