My Turn: The debate on civility and the Vermont way (by Pat Leahy)

[cali]

By Sen. Patrick Leahy • Sunday, January 16, 2011



A national discussion has begun about civility in politics and American life. That can be healthy and constructive, if we want it to be. President Obama wisely cautions against letting the tragedy of Tucson become fodder for just another tit-for-tat verbal firefight.

No one except perhaps the shooter knows what lit the fuse to the Tucson tragedy, or whether the superheated rhetoric of the recent campaign in Arizona was a contributing factor. But the problem of the erosion of civility is about more than direct calls to violence. Political demonizing is poisoning our political atmosphere. We all have a growing sense that this is not the America that most of us have known.

When I was growing up in Montpelier, my father told me the story of FDR's visit to town. Vermont had not voted for Roosevelt, and feelings against the New Deal ran strong. My dad stood on the sidewalk to watch FDR's open-air car drive by, and he stood next to the head of a leading corporate citizen who had made no bones of his disapproval of Roosevelt's policies. Yet when FDR passed by, this businessman took off his hat and placed it over his heart. My father asked why he, of all people, was honoring FDR. "I did not take off my hat to FDR," he said. "I am showing respect to the President."

Just a few years ago we Vermonters had a long and spirited debate on one of the most polarizing issues imaginable at the time -- civil unions. Vermont's debate was remarkable for the civility we showed to each other. I am so proud as a Vermonter for the example our state offered to the rest of the country.

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http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110116/OPINION02/101160314/My-Turn-The-debate-on-civility-and-the-Vermont-way

[jwirr]

1. Yes, I remember that idea in the 40s also. We have lost all respect

for the office of the presidency today and given the history in the last decade it is no wonder.

[Cirque du So-What]

2. I have immeasurable respect for Sen. Leahy and his call for civility

but in today's society, civility is often taken as a sign of weakness - especially among those who are attracted to Republican 'values.' Sen. Leahy's call for civility is a fine thing, but when the other side persists in demonizing liberals, turning the other cheek becomes an exercise in futility. I definitely do not approve of their tactics, however, which are specious fabrications at best and outright lies at worst. I believe in getting the truth out, which those on the right often characterize as 'attacks.'

[treestar]

3. Right wingers had so much respect for the office

And said we should, even if we did not like _Bush. But then on Jan. 20, 2009, it all changed.