Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Oct 17, 2008, at 7:21 PM, Marie McHarry wrote:

> Now when I was a girl...... but really, society in general was more
> civil when I was a kid. I'd be happy if someone took up civility as a
> cause. Clinton (Bill) and Bush (41) have been teaming up for other
> good works; maybe they could take up the cause.

We sure could use some role models in Civility 101.

After what I wrote yesterday about how civility has declined since I  
started voting, I have had occasion to rethink. I am now thinking that  
politicians have always been adversarial, that some have acted as  
statesmen but some have been vulgar and even violent. Some ended up in  
duels.

What I am now thinking is that it is the media that has lowered the  
bar of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Things once  
considered off limits, like children and philandering, are now  
blatantly broadcast in the most uncivil way. I am repelled.