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 Fighting Extremism With CivilityPosted on Nov 29, 2009The most surprising and disappointing aspect of our politics is how little pushback there has been against the vile, extremist rhetoric that has characterized such a large part of the anti-Obama movement. President Obama’s administration has largely ignored those accusing him of “fascism” and “communism,” presumably believing that restraint in defense of dignity is no vice. Republican politicians, worried about future primary fights, have been reluctant to pick a fight with a radical right that seems to be the most energized section of their party. Their “moderation” has consisted of a non-benign neglect of the extremists, and of accusing the president merely of “socialism.” And so it is that the first genuinely ringing call for moderation has come from a man who is effectively without a party, and whose own demeanor and career define temperance. Jim Leach spent 30 years as a Republican member of Congress who went his own way. If this meant standing almost alone against his caucus, he was content to do so. Advertisement Leach lost his Iowa seat in the 2006 Democratic tide, but he emerged relieved rather than bitter. He turned to academia, not the lobbying trade favored by so many other defeated politicians, and in 2008 engaged in the ultimate act of a maverick (a real one) by becoming a Republican for Obama. The new president in turn appointed Leach chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It was in this role that Leach offered his critique of extremism in a speech at the National Press Club titled “Bridging Cultures” a few days before Thanksgiving. It deserves far more attention than it has received. “Little is more important for the world’s leading democracy in this change-intensive century,” Leach argued, “than establishing an ethos of thoughtfulness and decency of expression in the public square. “If we don’t try to understand and respect others, how can we expect them to respect us, our values and our way of life?” But our own political practice belies anything remotely like “civility,” a word that Leach has as much a right to use as anyone in public life. “It is particularly difficult not to be concerned about American public manners and the discordant rhetoric of our politics,” he declared. “Words reflect emotion as well as meaning. They clarify—or cloud—thought and energize action, sometimes bringing out the better angels in our nature, sometimes lesser instincts.” But what are we doing in this great democracy? “Public officials,” Leach observed, “are being labeled ‘fascist’ or ‘communist.’ And more bizarrely, significant public figures have toyed with hints of history-blind radicalism—the notion of ‘secession.’ ” This last is a reference to Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s effort to ride to re-election by invoking a concept that we thought had been discredited in 1865. Leach has no problem with a vigorous debate, but he’s right that much of what passes for argument right now is mere calumny. “There is, after all, a difference between holding a particular tax or spending or health care view,” he said, “and asserting that an American who supports another approach or is a member of a different political party is an advocate of an ‘ism’ of hate that encompasses gulags and concentration camps. One framework of thought defines rival ideas; the other, enemies.” As a result, “citizens of various philosophical persuasions are reflecting increased disrespect for fellow citizens and thus for modern-day democratic governance.” Leach still has a lot of the old moderate Republican in him, and he is critical of a political system that, by creating so many safe one-party seats, has produced strong incentives for politicians “to remain firmly positioned far from the center.” He adds: “Institutional polarization is the inevitable result.” That’s true, too. Leach’s speech is the kickoff for a 50-state “civility tour,” and my hunch is that this very civil man may have to put up with a lot of incivility along the way. It’s strange that a call to consider respecting each other more might become a controversial endeavor. This is precisely why Leach’s witness to moderation requires an immoderate dose of courage. E.J. Dionne’s e-mail address is ejdionne(at)washpost.com. © 2009, Washington Post Writers Group CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
Contraception and the Cost of Culture Wars
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By Dr. Ellen Brandt, December 4, 2009 at 10:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
If you believe bridge-building and consensus is not only desirable, but possible, in our nation’s political life, please consider joining our brand-new Centrists Group at Linked In.
Report thisProvocative, but cordial and respectful, discussions and debate on national and international issues. No Flamers, ranters and ravers, script bots, or clandestine political operatives allowed.
Please contact me at Linked In for an invitation.
Thank you so much.
Ellen Brandt, Ph.D.
By Trailing Begonia, December 3, 2009 at 6:41 pm Link to this comment
Fighting extremism with civility - ROFL! Yeah, like that’ll work just like the Palestinians fighting Israhell’s F-16s and tanks with rocks.
Report thisBy Anarcissie, December 1, 2009 at 7:45 am Link to this comment
The authorities often wish that the people would just shut up so they could rule in peace.
Report thisBy tropicgirl, November 30, 2009 at 3:37 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I would like to make one thing clear. I do not support civility on either side. I do
not expect our forefathers were into it either, nor those who opposed slavery
or started labor unions or fought fascism. It depends entirely upon what the
stakes are. Big dif.
I applaud the anarchists, I applaud the teabaggers. Those are people with guts.
Civility, at an Obama luncheon, is expected. Civility in the face of gross abuse
of humanity is offensive.
What do I think the “civil” American public deserves?... probably more reality
shows, sorry to say, and more Orson Welles-type radio shows—because
unfortunately that most accurately portrays where we are at, as a society now,
so don’t knock it. You might be looking in the mirror.
And to reflect another poster… what exactly did you expect when you ditch
education, start immoral wars, enable the rich to steal from American families,
purchase outright our political system with lobby money, campaign on
promises and then disappoint, and have different rules for different people?
Year after year after year after year… That is why it is SOOO important to make
complete and total war on Obama. The truth can only set you free if you utter
it.
Come on.. there is only so much of this sick society people can endure without
Report thiscaving into it and becoming it. It’s overwhelming. But its devolution
nonetheless. And it is oppression from within, using our own tax dollars, the
worst kind. But many of you know better (although its easier for most to just
cave, I agree totally). My hopes are on the kids, now.
By Spiritgirl, November 30, 2009 at 1:14 pm Link to this comment
As I read the posts on here, I am saddened by them all. I’m saddened because those on the left feel that the right should be handcuffed and the left should do what it wants; and because those on the right are pointing at the leftist posts saying “see, tolda so…”. At this point, with so many issues facing this nation, can we at least be civil about a few things that everyone should at least contemplate.
1)Both sides of the aisle have betrayed the American people, by deregulation, by allowing the lobbyists to write the rules in favor of the Oligarchy. By not really explaining to the electorate that these policies that are advocated are really not helpful to the public at large, but just to the Oligarchy!
2)America has in our Constitution a clause regarding the Separation of Church & State - and because (what ever topic it is) goes against your personal moral belief system doesn’t mean that everyone else in the nation has to follow your belief system.
3)The Oligarchy has gotten out of hand, whether it is the Banksters, or the now defunct manufacturing industry that used moving jobs overseas as excuses not to increase the wages of their laborers. Most of manufacturing in this nation has moved to countries that pay the people slave wages while decimating the retirements and pensions of the people in this country!
4)Both of those abysmal wars should never have been started, but using “nationalism & honor” (instead of the truth:OIL & the Pipeline needed)GWB suckered far too many people into supporting that fiasco!
5)You’ve got to realize that Glenn, Sean, Lushbaugh, and others really aren’t on the side of people, especially as they are paid by the Oligarchy!
I am more than willing to act civilly, and have an honest open debate with those on the right. Of course I need to actually not just be “civil” and regurgitate the talking points, I need real reasoning, and logic, clarity - something that’s not usually given (something that won’t make my head spin around like the girl in the Exorcist)!
Report thisBy Anarcissie, November 30, 2009 at 12:08 pm Link to this comment
Many consider nonviolence to be quite rude.
Report thisBy gerard, November 30, 2009 at 11:41 am Link to this comment
R = MC2
R=restraint, M=moderation, C=courage, 2=U+I carefully growing to a magnitude of millions. Ergo: A vast, well-grounded, intelligent movement committed to nonviolence and working toward the renewal of democratic principles in support of the Constitution.
Report thisBy Anarcissie, November 30, 2009 at 11:22 am Link to this comment
OzarkMichael—the Left are about as far from power as the uncivil sort of Republicans. The further from power, the more wild and brutal the speech, the less effective the acts.
Report thisBy ThatDeborahGirl, November 30, 2009 at 11:08 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
All three Leftist posts before mine pretty much ignored the call for civility and restraint upon themselves… but they certainly want it applied to the other side.
You are correct. The conservative movement has been given all due accordance and respect. However they do not acknowledge civility with civility. Instead they label it “weakness” and “cowardice”. To paraphrase a favorite quote of mine: One cannot fence with antagonist who meets rapier thrust with the blow of a battle axe.
Why should liberals continue to discourse the same failed Republican policies & platitudes in exchange for promised discord, abuse & outright lies?
Report thisBy tropicgirl, November 30, 2009 at 10:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Purple Girl is not only correct but absolutely astute in her diagnosis.
Its amazing to me, the spectacle that is E.J., and others, who we see every day,
pontificating from their rich, excusive club, which is totally detached from the
American people.
Leach is doing what the rich banks, the lobbyists, the n’er do well’s have done
in simply shifting parties to whoever they perceive to be in power, only to
backtrack and disengage at the first sign of problems. You can dress it up with
PR and sweaters all you want. Its fake stuff. I am surprised after all this time E.J.
(perhaps he really does) understand what is going on here and why people are
so upset with this garbage.
No one FROM ANY PARTY is interested in moderates. The only people who are
interested in moderates are the Democratic and Republican political lobbyists,
who can bend moderates any way they want. Most people are Independent now,
because of this stuff. That does not make them in any way, shape, or form
moderate.
And furthermore, civility only has a place when people are civilized. What
Obama and the neo-cons are doing is not civil in any way. What congress is
doing is not civil, neither is anything the corporate sector does, having become
absolutely predatory in every way. What the military is doing is uncivilized,
bombing innocent mothers and children, anonymously, and calling it “womens
rights”.
Tell me, E.J., what exactly do you think is civil anymore in this country? Legless
soldiers, raped soldiers, fatherless children, broken families, incarcerated
innocents? PEople like YOU?
Well, I think I am not the only one when I say, I’ve got a big proverbial hammer
in my pocket marked “in-civility” and I am not afraid to use it against the
predators in our government, starting with the big HOPE-less man, getting
exactly what they deserve, politically-speaking.
Civility is not just a slang word for whatever you want it to be. It is a real word,
Report thiswith real meaning. It has to do with an ethical society, not manners. But I
doubt you, and your party friends, can even follow that.
By OzarkMichael, November 30, 2009 at 10:37 am Link to this comment
In response to Jim Leach’s call for respect and civility, Purplegirl said: The Lefts outrage and anger are justified by the realtiy we are facing. The Rights is based on fantasy and denial.
Only on Truthdig could a call for civility and mutual respect be taken as a cue for extremism and partisanship. Purple Girl was even hoping for all of us conservatives to do some jail time.
That was classic!
All three Leftist posts before mine pretty much ignored the call for civility and restraint upon themselves… but they certainly want it applied to the other side.
From the Truthdig ‘Playbook’: “We Leftists dont have to play by the rules which we want the Right to be constrained by.”
Those of you on the Right who are like Mr Leach have learned a lesson today.
Report thisBy omygodnotagain, November 30, 2009 at 9:11 am Link to this comment
The time for civility is long past, the elites have declared war on working men and women, already burdened by long hours, shrinking benefits, stagnant wages and unemployment. Adding insult to injury these overpaid lazy elites expect the American taxpayers to foot their Casino Capitalism illusions. These Wall Street terrorists are far more dangerous than any Islamic extremists, why they are receiving record bonuses rather than prison time is due to the lack of outrage within our Government.
Report thisIt is worth noting what the great Patristic writer St Augustine had to say about Hope. He said Hope is the greatest virtue. Faith tells us God is, Love tells God is good, and Hope tells us God continues His work. And he continues..Hope has 2 lovely daughters ANGER and COURAGE, anger to change what should not be will not be and courage to change what should be
will be.
Many are angry decency and civility has been met
with brazen criminality.. those days are over
By Purple Girl, November 30, 2009 at 5:28 am Link to this comment
The Left will recover it’s ‘manners’ as soon as those reponsible for the castrophe we now stand in the fall out of are held legally respsonible.
Report thisWhat the Neo Cons and their delusional zealots would find soothing is the Antithesis of this Country.
The Lefts outrage and anger are justified by the realtiy we are facing. The Rights is based on fantasy and denial.
The Left is working to counter the damage and delusions that have failed over the last few decades, and throughout human history. The Right is attacking to save their dogma and asses.
Every single BS accusation against the Obama admin and the Dems are exact replicas of what the Left not only accused the Bushies of, but what they were actually doing.
They want to see a Birth Certificate to prove legitmacy of Presidental Powers- Let’s show them the 36 articles of Impeachment against Cheney that allowed him to Usurp the Office of the Presidency, not once but at least 3 other times during his tenure in the various WH admins.
The Left has been vindicated. The Right should be indicted.
By ChaoticGood, November 29, 2009 at 11:32 pm Link to this comment
The Republican Party is a mess. Many Republicans know that this is true. Their once proud party is now in shambles. It is led by charlatans, talk-show hosts and all sorts of willfully ignorant, and inept buffoons who claim to know something about the Constitution of the United States of America.
I would bet a substantial amount of money that most of them don’t even know what’s in the Constitution.
It is no wonder that they are losing people like Jim Leach. Anyone with any shred of intelligience or decency could not stomach being a Republican any longer.
Republicans have no new ideas, just the same old failed policies. The only hope they have is that Obama will fail and people will return to them out of desperation. That’s why they do everything the can to block common sense programs that help most Americans. The Republicans claim over and over that what America needs is “common sense”, but they don’t display any themselves.
The phrase “moderate Republican” is an oxymoron.
The failure of the American Education system has created these dullards because no educated person who has a bit of compassion for his fellow-men could ever be a Republican. Only greed and religion can so blunt a human spirit that they will turn on their brothers and sisters and harm them in the name of their ideology.
Welcome to Jim Leach. Democrats are glad to have you with them.
Report this