Donald Hawthorne of Anchor Rising has a very impressive post on the need for civil discourse, examples of its absence on the left, and links to a number of his own and other discussions with examples of the kind of argument (aside even from its content) that he would like to see.
I would like to see that as well.
When the Left start off a discussion by equating conservatives and the religious right to Hitler and Jihadists, that is taking the discussion nuclear. One cannot have a civil debate when one side has so little respect for the other that they are willing to engage in such hyperbole. Assuming that the person who has made such a statement is a rational individual, then he must know that such rhetoric is so over the top that it precludes having a rational discussion. The sole purpose of using such language is to carry out a diatribe against your political opponent. The one thing it does show is the level of hate that the Left has for anyone who does not agree with its political agenda.
Richard, while this is true, we must be careful to call out such hyperbole when used by the right. While it is the case the pendulum of hyperbole has swung to the left lately, it happens and has happened on both sides.
Maintaining reasoned discourse is the single most important element in a democracy.
did anyone see the civil discourse in the judiciary committee report of the latest abortion bill? classic!
Everyone’s Vote?
No matter what your politics – can’t we all agree about this?
Omigod it has happened. A comment by actus with which I wholeheartedly agree. If you find politics interesting do read the transcript of the discussion (scroll down) preceding the passage of this bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/T?&report=hr051&dbname=cp109&