Twenty-six years ago on April 19, 1995, the world was focused on the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City. My daughter was attending Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond and sent a photo of the clouds from the blast rising above the skyline.

That bombing killed at least 168 people and injured more than 680 others. One-third of the building was destroyed, and it had to be demolished. The blast destroyed or damaged 324 other buildings within a 16-block radius.

Oklahoma communities sent first responders to the scene to help search for survivors. Rescue workers arrived from all over the U.S. Until the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the U.S.

In addition to the horror of that day, the memory lingers of how our nation came together to help and heal. The National Memorial in Oklahoma City helps us remember.

Now our nation seems to be at war within itself. The trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin continued until Tuesday afternoon as tensions rose nationwide. More than 4,000 National Guard troops and police were awaiting the verdict in Minnesota.

Can you imagine the stress the jurors felt? They didn’t ask to give up a month of their lives, and whatever they decide, protests may erupt into the streets.

The jury includes a grandmother, a youth sports coach and an immigrant who said he wants to serve because “it is a service to my community and our country.” The jury includes three Black men, one Black woman, and two women who identified themselves as multiracial. There are two white men and four white women. They range in age from their 20s to their 60s. The two alternate jurors are white women.

Juries usually take longer to decide cases that involve multiple charges. Civil cases, in which juries award damages, also take longer. Six-person juries decide faster than 12-person juries. Juries deliberating crimes against persons take longer to decide.

I’ve lived through other periods of dissension in our country. I was in school during the civil rights marches. Then there was Vietnam, the sit-ins and protests. I hope our country can overcome the current divisive spirit.

I received this column from Dr. Glenn Mollette that seems to sum up the problems and asks what we, and especially our elected officials, can do:

What are your solutions for America?

By Dr. Glenn Mollette

How do we solve the mass shootings? Do we take away all the guns? Or, do we require that every American carry a gun and be prepared to shoot back? Do we eliminate the assault rifles? Or, do we have more security guards at malls, grocery stores and work places carry assault rifles? We have a crisis in America with gun violence and mass shootings. What will Joe Biden and Congress do about this problem? Will they even attempt a solution? Mr. President and members of Congress, we need a solution.

How do solve the ongoing Covid 19 crisis? Many have resumed life as though the problem is solved but in too many states people are still dying from the virus. A great effort has been made to solve this world pandemic. The creation of vaccines that seem to be working and an all-out effort to protect people with masks and distancing has made for an unforgettable year. But, what do we do now? It’s not over. The virus and different strains of the virus are still very alive.

Common sense is critical. The world must go on. The government cannot spend the next year printing off stimulus money and paying people to stay home with nice unemployment checks. This mess is not over and we need a good game plan from our President and Congress.

The previous paragraph leads us to another crisis in this country. Businesses are trying to get back into business but the workers are few. Restaurant owners across the nation are crying because they can’t find enough cooks and servers. Many of the former workers are collecting unemployment. They are collecting as much or more than they made showing up for work, and thus we have a shortage of willing workers.

Unemployment and the stimulus were a shot in the arm for the country but not one with lasting favorable results. Unemployment eventually ends and people must go back to work. In the meantime, many businesses in America are facing a crisis of trying to come back to life with very little help. We need a get-back-to-work plan from our President and Congress. Everybody cannot do their jobs at home. The factory worker, the restaurant worker, the medical community, public workers, and much more have to be able to safely leave their homes and do their jobs.

America has been filled with tension and pain this year over the senseless killing of George Floyd. We have viewed too many other senseless police shootings on national television. We don’t need racial tension in this country. Most of the people in this country are good people and we can’t let these incidents destroy our American family. However, we need a plan from Biden and Congress. What is your idea?

And then there is our crisis on the border. Our government needs to send a stronger message to those people south of the border. What will Congress do?

What would you do? Let your representatives and senators know.

(www.glennmollette.com)