Once in college I got an English test back with a "C" and a note from the instructor in the margin reading "Without civility the truth cannot be known." As usual, the test reflected my eagerness to demonstate my own (at the time rather meanspirited) wit rather than an understanding of the subject matter. I didn't get it then, though the comment obviously stayed with me to this day. "Truth," it turns out, is a fairly ambiguous affair and to explore it requires respectful listening, an eye for facts, faith in another person's good will, and the discipline of objectivity. Such "civility" is increasingly absent from our public life (some say it never existed to any extent). I worked at City Hall a few years back and saw the effect of incivility first hand. Some councilmembers were verbally abusive to colleagues and constituents and verbally and emotionally abusive to staff. "Squawk" boxes in various managerial offices throughout City Hall kept staff informed about committee proceedings, but also carried the virus of name-calling, insults, sarcasm, and opportunism throughout as well. Staff were regularily "beaten up" at committee appearances and some of those decided to seek permanent refuge behind policies and procedures. This was not new. Staff told me of other former councilmembers legendary for their misuse of power and their lack of respect for others' considered opinions. When I was at the City, the mayor, city coordinator and some CMs were working to change this culture, professionalize it, though it's difficult when "the gods dance" when and how they choose. One of the reasons I admire Mayor Sayles Belton is that she "walks of the talk" of civility. A consitutent may disagree with her, but he/she will will receive a reasoned and respectful response. I really think that civility is fundamental to a healthy democracy or an energetic discussion on this list or any other. What courage it takes to post a message or present an idea or type a sentence if one expects to be insulted or discounted! Even this list could become like the City Hall "squawk boxes" where one listens to the diatribes of a priviliged few and, worse, listens in silence. End of sermon. . . Jude Poseley East Lowry Hill _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
