Our Viewpoint: A lesson from Disney

Over the weekend, we watched "The Fox and the Hound." I hadn't seen it in decades, and my friend and I remembered it as one of our favorite Disney movies.

Seeing the movie again, it's pretty violent. There is also a lot of sadness, as was pointed out to me by a 12-year-old. It's still one of my favorite movies, however.

There are lessons about coming from different backgrounds, about growing and changing, and about still being friends in the end. Or, at least, having mutual respect for each other. Copper and Tod grew up playing in the forest and not realizing how different they were. But as they matured, it was clear they wouldn't be able to keep the same friendship. In the end, Tod saves Copper and Amos from a mean old bear and they learn to respect each other.

I'm sure there are plenty of lessons that come from Disney movies, but watching this film as we head into the height of political season was a good reminder that everyone can continue to get along. As Big Mama said when Tod proclaimed he and Copper would be friends forever, "Forever is a long, long time, and time has a way of changing things." Hopefully time won't change the need for common courtesy and respect.

— Annie Wooden