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Friday, December 9, 2016

The Lack of Civility



The pendulum has swung away from political correctness. At the outer edge PC seems pretty silly. We can't do anything at all that might somehow insult someone's delicate sensitivity somewhere. That can be pretty paralyzing when tough issues need to be discussed.

The pendulum has violently swung completely to the opposite direction. Many people are now just fine with spouting out any hateful thing at all. There are no limits. Any racist or misogynistic rant is supposed to be just fine.

Since when did we lose any sense of basic civility? Did everyone's mother's forget to instill the idea of manners? It's like listening to kids who's mouths need to be washed out with soap.

There is nothing wrong with disagreement. There is something wrong with being disagreeable. If you are spitting venom when you yell, odds are you lack a persuasive argument. Volume is not a substitute for facts. Mao stated that power flows from the barrel of a gun. If your argument relies on power alone, that's the sort of intellectual company you are keeping. Be honest with yourself.

I'm a big strong white male with a large ego. I could have gone through life quite successfully bullying people around. I'm glad I decided to reign that in and listened to other, sometimes softer voices. By doing so I was able to learn and grow. You can't grow if you believe you already know it all. Sometimes I've been convinced to change my opinion and have become richer for it.

Being civil is a sign of strength. It takes a lot of strength to hold one's tongue. Right now I see a lot of weak people pretending to be strong. They are strong in the way a mob is strong, violent, energetic, and mostly brainless. Like lemmings they sometimes all go over the cliff together.

All I ask is that folks remember the basic manners their mommas should have taught them.

-Sixbears

13 comments:

  1. Great post Sixbears. Our office coworker relationships have been tested by the election last month. Hillary supporters actually rooting for Trump to FAIL - is that what they really want the POTUS to do ? Everybody should be hoping that the new Administration will improve the U.S..

    I like that we don't all get along, as I learn new perspectives I did not see before. Might not agree with them - but I learn, and like you said, that is important. Speak less - hear more.

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    1. I have hope but I'm keeping a close eye on what actually happens, not what I hope will happen.

      When times get tough you never know who'll stick by you and who'll stab you in the back. The person who you disagree with right now might be the one who stick with you when times are tough. That's been my experience, at any rate.

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    2. Yeh, you have 2 eyes, 2 ears and only 1 mouth. Best used in proportion.

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  2. Amen, and Amen. Well said.

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  3. be polite and keep a civil voice momma use to tell me even when dealing with self made idiots. if they decide to respond like savages then use the sword and battleaxe on the bozos

    then renegotiate with any survivor(s) if any left....

    Wildflower

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    Replies
    1. Your mama taught harsh lessons. Bet you didn't cross her. :)

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  4. The death of civility, I believe, is tied to the liberal (commie) plan to destroy the family and co-operative society. It's ultimately needed to get everyone to rat on one another, when Big Brother rules.

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    1. There's enough blame here to go around. No one group gets all the credit in my book.

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    2. Yeah, that is why civility is failing. Because no one wants to tell the truth. The LEFT is (mostly) the uncivil side. They act like unruly children....because they are.

      The right sees this, and acts accordingly. And no one is willing to call 'em out for bad behavior, especially their peers.

      You may say there is more than enough blame to go around....maybe there is. But the Left are the ones acting like children here. The Right did not act this way when they lost in 2008 and 2012. They dealt with it.

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  5. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that rules his spirit, than he that takes a city.

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