Incivility

It has been a long time since I last blogged. As I told a long-time friend of mine, I have been busy, but I don't have any clue as to what I have been busy with. However, no matter how busy a person might be, you'd have to live in a cave, underground, not rearing your head for months to miss what has been going on as of late.

Perhaps I am just a fortunate person in that my parents raised me to be respectful. Though I thought the policies of our previous administration under Republican President, George W. Bush, were simply awful, I restrained myself from screaming aloud at him - or his erstwhile supporters. Instead, I simply voted against him and his party - every chance I got. And, as I received e-mails attacking his opponents, I usually responded with my own replies that consisted of facts obtained through legitimate organizations such as the Annenberg Foundation's Fact Check. I also, of course, with like-minded friends, bashed Bush - but it was done quietly - not amid placard carrying crowds threatening the President and members of congress. I believe I was, as well as the friends who agreed with me, civil in our disagreement with the policies of the opposition.

Since the election of President Obama, the ratcheted up rhetoric has increased to a point that is downright scary. I spoke to a friend who has contacts within the Secret Service who confirmed that threats on the life of the president are higher now than any time in history. Now that Health Care Reform has passed, and The Tea Party has emerged with a new issue, threats on congresspersons are emerging that are both uncalled for and dangerous.

Just in the last few days, Tea Partiers shouted "Nigger" at Democratic Congressman John Lewis, a former Civil right leader. They also shouted homophobic epithets at openly gay Democratic Congressman Barney Frank, and spit on another Black Congressman. Why? Because they voted for the health reform bill. Other indignities against democratic bill supporters include: Placing a coffin on the lawn of one congressional member; one being told the children of lawmakers would be victims of snipers shooting to kill; several had their offices vandalized; one received an envelope with white powder in it; and a gas line was cut at the home of the brother of a congressman that they thought was the congressman's home.

While I certainly believe it is fine - and even appropriate - to have honest, open discourse and disagreement on issues such as health care, but things that are occurring right now are just not right. The Republican party has disavowed these wingnuts - but not strongly enough. For them to openly encourage them to scream epithets; use banners that use words of hate; and not denounce these acts in every means possible only continues to fuel their fire. For Sarah Palin to urge her supporters to "Reload" cannot be called innocent no matter what she says now.

Incivility is defined as a lack of courtesy or politeness in the dictionary. But, as far as the acts that are currently being perpetrated against congressional members, it is far more than that. It is dangerous to their well-being. And, dangerous to what America stands for. Finally, I close with a quote I recently found, and shared with many of my friends - on both sides of the debate:

"As citizens we have to be more thoughtful and educated and more informed. I turn on the TV and I see these grown people screaming at each other, and I think, well, if we don’t get our civility back, we’re in trouble."
- Emmylou Harris, singer-songwriter

Old Fart Mike