Thoughtful people of different political philosophies can disagree, but in a very agreeable manner.
I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.
My thing is this: You've got to talk about politics because it's out there. But I try to respect the fact that even if you don't have my views, I still respect your view. I may dog your view, but I'll respect that you have that view. And it's OK to come back at me to defend your view.
Intelligent people tend to talk about the facts. They don't sit around and call each other names. That's what you can find on a third grade playground.
You have to be able to interact with people whose politics you disagree with.
I don't just want to talk to the choir. I want to sit down and be respectful of the people who are most unlike me, to get them to hear me and think. It doesn't mean you're going to change them right there, but just so they can hear you and what you're saying.
Anybody who has something sensible or worthwhile to say should be able to say it calmly and soberly, relying on the words themselves to convey his meaning, without resorting to yelling.
When you hear someone criticize a policy on the other side, that's fine. But when you start hearing motive-mongering and demonization, stand up to it just as you would if it were something that was racist or sexist. If we avoid the demonization, disagreements can be positive.
I think you kind of facilitate civil conversation no matter how heated you think it could get by telling everybody and showing them that you mean what you say when you value all sides.
I like to think I'm a grown-up, but it's just nice you can have a civil conversation with your boss, you're both on the same page, and you've had a text, not about football, just about golf.
Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing.
I never let politics get personal. You can have the most intense, heated debate on issues, and so long as you keep it on issues, you can go out and have coffee afterwards and you're good friends.
Dallas, is it remotely possible for you to carry on a conversation that's not loaded down with manure?
Dad knew how to disagree without being disagreeable or rude.
History is a table around which we can still sit and have a civil discourse.
