Civility is based upon respect. We can disagree but, if I respect you, I can very likely respect your opinion, too, and our differences become a basis for discussion and mutual learning and compromise. That is how politics was supposed to work before the Roving began. (I am well aware how vicious politics has always been historically but we did pass a watershed in 1980, people.)
Now, destroying not the message but the man has become not only a vile method used by a few vicious scum, it is despicable sport engaged in casually to score macho marks among the self-deluded “real men” and “masters of the universe”. Showing compassion or empathy is a sign of fatal weakness and prompts instant attack and culling by the gang of thugs and bullies. They swarm any dissenter among their ranks.
Outside their ranks, religious, racial, and other bigotry has been ruthlessly exploited by corporate fascists in order to tear apart our political and thus social and financial systems, so banksters can loot it all – and they have, to the tune of untold trillions – and end up with a wage-slave society dependent upon the military-industrial complex.
Undoing that requires that the 99% movement and the Occupy protests be supported by the majority, that We the People stand up and insist upon cultural and societal changes. Guess how likely that is when dividing and conquering is as easy as saying Abortion or Bible or Guns or Obama or Terrorist or what ever other buzzword comes to mind?
All this adds up to disrespect bordering on pathological hatred. We dehumanize now, rather than argue. Ad hominem is a starting point. Unless these vile practices become intolerable to a wiser, calmer, more mature and much better-educated populace, we’re doomed. Until we see the knee-jerk manipulations for what they are and rise above them, we’re doomed.
When a toddler defies an adult by throwing a tantrum, does the adult gain anything by throwing a bigger tantrum? That is precisely how we have allowed ourselves to respond to the stupidest, meanest-spirited, most hateful scum among us. We have given control of the discourse to the lowest common denominator of the worst in humanity. We then wonder why civility is gone from public discourse?
This begins with each of us. Stop tolerating the lies, hate, and stochastic terrorism that creates the hostile, worked-up environment from which deniable violence arises. Stand up for calm, mature, and intelligent discussion and ignore idiots and trouble makers. Stop being co-opted by the marketers of blur and doubt and fear.
Wake up and be an adult for once. You’ll be surprised how insignificant the infant terrible Dicks Like Cheney suddenly become. You’ll be delighted to think of the world not as a terrifying enemy but as a paradise. You’ll realize money is imaginary and value is human compassion, concern, and kindness.
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