This Sunday’s New York Times article about an alleged “post-abortion syndrome,” got me thinking about a D.C.-based group called The Search For Common Ground. The group, which existed from 1993 to 2000, sponsored a project called The Common Ground Network for Life and Choice (The Network).

“The project goal was to change the dynamic of the abortion conflict by changing the stance of the opposing parties, from one defined solely by disagreement and characterized by extreme polarization, to one where strong disagreement is acknowledged but where the parties (1) seek to fully understand the others’ positions and beliefs…(2) seek and name the existence of overlapping values, goals, beliefs and important interests; and (3) consider ways to act jointly to move forward shared goals.” Here is an online handbook that explains The Network’s exciting approach to bringing opposing parties together to exchange their life stories. A lot of the techniques will be familiar to you students of conflict resolution.

I know of no such project operating on a large scale today. But I’m wondering if you’d like to chat a bit here in the coming days–not so much on your own strong views pro or con (which we’ve all heard before in one forum or another)–but on what you feel you can share with the people who disagree with you. Where is the common ground? Can you locate any in your heart?