(Another) Call for Civility in Politics. I'm Holding My Breath.

[Yeggo]

As someone for whom politics used to put food on the table, once upon a time I was a big fan of the "kill or be killed," "winner take all," mentality that drives politics and especially political campaigning. My wife claims that I've gotten more moderate in my advance towards middle age, but I think that maybe I've just gotten tired of trying to win arguments instead of trying to solve arguments.

I think that we can be true to our principles as progressives and STILL seek to promote a more reasonable, courteous dialogue. We have the luxury of being correct on the issues, so why not win on them? Do we really need a Keith Olbermann segment featuring someone dressed as a witch to defeat Christine O'Donnell? Because if we do, we're in trouble.

I know there's a lot of anger on our side, too. But I worry that nothing's ever going to get DONE if we don't cut through the bull, eliminate the talking-head middle men who yell our talking points for us, and engage in a dialogue. Maybe it's just me, and maybe I am getting soft. But I just wanted to throw this out there and see what you thought...

http://bit.ly/c3Z6Mc

[pintobean]

1. Welcome to DU

Good post. I think you're about to learn something.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Dialog with who? How? Using what medium?

How exactly is this dialog supposed to take place when they own and dominate the mass media, and that is the way we communicate? A dialog is a two way exchange of ideas, we have instead a one way communication medium, broadcast media remains our dominant communication media and it is a monologue of sorts, and a monologue that presents almost entirely a single ideological view of the world.

At least Keith and Rachel challenge the Official Story.

What we need is more independent media voices reaching more people. For example, podcasts are outside the mainstream media lockdown, and unlike Air America, do not require huge capital outlays and massive revenue streams to reach millions of people.

Oh and forget civility. I'm sorry, but the right has gone out and demonized us. We are, according to them, not 'americans'. By winning an election fairly and honestly we stole the government. The Obama administration's efforts to reach out and work with the Republican Party are an example of how badly civility fails when one side is having a war with you. We need to stop acting like simpering cowards and start fighting back.

[Odin2005]

3. Civility is dead, calling for it is naive.

The other side does NOT want to dialogue with us, they think we are "un-American" and want to DESTROY us. You cannot have a reasonable conversation with a fanatic who prefers shooting you over being convinced by you.

The Teabaggers want a civil war.