As incivility hits new depths, many are working to combat it

[de officiis]

As incivility hits new depths, many are working to combat it

In state capitals, lawmakers attend workshops on how to avoid demonizing their opponents. On a college campus, students re-enact hard-fought debates that led to great compromises at the country's founding. Even a summer camp is aiming to give children the tools to show respect in the face of disagreement.
...
"It's incumbent on us to be the adults who push back against what we're getting in the popular culture and the political rhetoric," said Mary Evins, who directs the American Democracy Project for Civil Learning at Middle Tennessee State University. ...

"There's so many people with a difference of opinion," said Brendon Holloway, who participated in various Democracy Project initiatives at Middle Tennessee State, including voter registration drives. "It's really important to bridge the gap."

The school is training faculty to incorporate civic learning across disciplines, holding a lecture series on rhetoric, and hosting former members of Congress to talk about respectful dialogue. Evins says it's all part of addressing not just college and career, but citizenship.
...
Even as polls find Americans say a civil tone in candidates is an important factor in how they vote, surveys have also shown people more accepting of personal attacks in politics. A poll by Zogby commissioned by Allegheny College in October found in the six years since its previous survey, significantly more people viewed it as acceptable to interrupt, shout over, belittle, insult, personally attack, or question the patriotism of those with differing opinions. ...

[Fife]

This is interesting to me, particularly as MTSU is in my backyard. My first take is that I'm a bit dubious of the civility (by modern standards) in the secret, drunken, non-representative proceedings in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787.

[Alexander PhiAlipson]

If it must be war, let it be a civil war!

[clubgop]

More snowflakery from the SJW'S. Fuck civility roast these pricks on a spit.

[jbird4049]

This is interesting to me, particularly as MTSU is in my backyard. My first take is that I'm a bit dubious of the civility (by modern standards) in the secret, drunken, non-representative proceedings in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787.

There were very strong, almost unbridgeable differences between them as about the only thing they all agreed on was that the existing confederation's government was simply not working. They were able to sit down, and deal with the differences by hashing them out. Everyone's concerns were worked on, and no-one got everything they wanted, but everyone got something, it did take months, and a lot of alcohol, and I mean a lot of alcohol. Also, by keeping the proceedings secret, by doing most of the work/debate/arguing during meals, and drunken dinner parties, they did keep it civil in the best way.

Up until the about thirty years ago One of the ways members of both Parties in Congress, and members of the various Presidential administrations, worked on problems was by playing golf, having dinner parties, regular meals, even going to bars, or having regular card games together. One might think your golfing buddies' ideas are nuts, and that the guy you have a lunch with every Friday has "issues" but it is a lot harder to demonize, and not listen to others, if you think of them as people first, and not as the evil enemy.


Yes, they did violate the letter of their instructions although not the spirit, but they did it. They created a solution, proposed it, and it was voted on by the states.

Does anyone think the current batch of little minds could scrap up a similar cross section?

Yeah, I don't so think so too.

More snowflakery from the SJW'S. Fuck civility roast these pricks on a spit.

I almost never agree with you, but you do have thoughtful opinions, which I try to listen too. However, the constant barrage of insults interspersed with them makes it hard to do so.

[de officiis]

More snowflakery from the SJW'S. Fuck civility roast these pricks on a spit.

Predictable. Isn't it wonderful to be part of a party that average Americans are pissed off at only slightly less than the Democrats. Your attitude that Party is everything has led directly to the mess the country's currently in, and is responsible for the obstructionist tactics from the Left that Trump is now struggling to overcome.

[clubgop]

More snowflakery from the SJW'S. Fuck civility roast these pricks on a spit.

Predictable. Isn't it wonderful to be part of a party that average Americans are pissed off at only slightly less than the Democrats. Your attitude that Party is everything has led directly to the mess the country's currently in, and is responsible for the obstructionist tactics from the Left that Trump is now struggling to overcome.

Not party, ideaology get it right. Anything being spurred by the educational establishment is suspect and if you don't see it, that how we got here in the first place. People need to learn the proper thrust and parry of debate. To win some and lose some. They don't need this bullshit, they need Little League, where they keep score and only the winners get trophies.

[de officiis]

The article describes activities that go beyond a college campus. John Kasich talked about the problem today:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday that both political parties are falling apart at the seams as Republicans and Democrats focus more on scoring political points than on helping Americans in need.

The former GOP presidential candidate said the debate over health care reform has become so politicized that both sides have forgotten that their true goal should be taking care of citizens as best they can while also containing costs and adopting a more market-driven approach.

Mr. Kasich said any lawmaker, regardless of party, who focuses on politics during the health care debate is a “big-time loser.”

“Look, I believe the political parties are disintegrating before our very eyes. I think more and more people across this country see no purpose for political parties,” the governor told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” adding that Democrats must come to the table and help craft health care legislation.

“Democrats — you can’t turn your back on these people. And the Republicans, you need to invite Democrats in because we’re talking about lives,” he said. “All this consumption about who gains politically — life is short. If all you focus on is what’s in it for me, you’re a loser. You’re a big-time loser. And this country better be careful we’re not losing the soul of our country because we play politics and we forget people who are in need.”

http://m.washingtontimes.com

[clubgop]

The article describes activities that go beyond a college campus. John Kasich talked about the problem today:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday that both political parties are falling apart at the seams as Republicans and Democrats focus more on scoring political points than on helping Americans in need.

The former GOP presidential candidate said the debate over health care reform has become so politicized that both sides have forgotten that their true goal should be taking care of citizens as best they can while also containing costs and adopting a more market-driven approach.

Mr. Kasich said any lawmaker, regardless of party, who focuses on politics during the health care debate is a “big-time loser.”

“Look, I believe the political parties are disintegrating before our very eyes. I think more and more people across this country see no purpose for political parties,” the governor told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” adding that Democrats must come to the table and help craft health care legislation.

“Democrats — you can’t turn your back on these people. And the Republicans, you need to invite Democrats in because we’re talking about lives,” he said. “All this consumption about who gains politically — life is short. If all you focus on is what’s in it for me, you’re a loser. You’re a big-time loser. And this country better be careful we’re not losing the soul of our country because we play politics and we forget people who are in need.”

http://m.washingtontimes.com

So? Sign them all up for Little League.

[jbird4049]

The article describes activities that go beyond a college campus. John Kasich talked about the problem today:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Sunday that both political parties are falling apart at the seams as Republicans and Democrats focus more on scoring political points than on helping Americans in need.

The former GOP presidential candidate said the debate over health care reform has become so politicized that both sides have forgotten that their true goal should be taking care of citizens as best they can while also containing costs and adopting a more market-driven approach.

Mr. Kasich said any lawmaker, regardless of party, who focuses on politics during the health care debate is a “big-time loser.”

“Look, I believe the political parties are disintegrating before our very eyes. I think more and more people across this country see no purpose for political parties,” the governor told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” adding that Democrats must come to the table and help craft health care legislation.

“Democrats — you can’t turn your back on these people. And the Republicans, you need to invite Democrats in because we’re talking about lives,” he said. “All this consumption about who gains politically — life is short. If all you focus on is what’s in it for me, you’re a loser. You’re a big-time loser. And this country better be careful we’re not losing the soul of our country because we play politics and we forget people who are in need.”

http://m.washingtontimes.com

So? Sign them all up for Little League.

No man, I was thinking some of Mendocino finest weed, some beer (anyone brings Coors or Budweiser shall be banned), some snacks, and pizza.