Civility and community. We need more of these. But our "role models" among us, amplified by the mainstream media, are thriving on incivility and division. It doesn't bode well.
A caution about civility: Often the powerful will shout "civility" when angry powerless people try to call them out on their lies and exploitation. It's easy for the powerful to be civil when everything is going their way; not so easy for the powerless. Put differently, civility shouldn't imply obedience. There is such a thing as civil disobedience.
As for civility, I think it should be the default mode of interaction among individuals or entities up to the point at which continuing to be civil makes one a doormat.
When it comes to societal [i.e., governmental] abuses, calling them out and protesting them are essential, as you say. Even so, I'd submit that there are some standards of behavior that should be adhered to, absent the threat of physical harm.
As an example, I'm sure that MTG would say she was calling out abuses during Biden's SOTU, but her conduct was reprehensible.
Thanks, Ray! I read so many negative comments from overseas on other forums, and I see so much egregious rudeness and selfishness myself, that I thought a rant was in order.
Yes, all the confrontational talk about China is really counter-productive, IMHO. On the issue of climate change alone, our working with China could be immensely beneficial. Together, we might go a long way toward turning the tide. I understand that China's human rights abuses are terrible, but realistically, the U.S. can't cast the first stone there. Just another aspect of our ugliness.
As you may have noticed, you're the second person to mention U.S. policy toward China in reply to my post. I agree completely that taking a confrontational stance toward China is counter-productive on many levels. Not saying the U.S. should become a vassal state to China, but it's just stupid to throw out all the potential that cooperation could offer. This country is civil neither internally or externally, basically.
Didn't hear about China as a possible mediator. If they went in as an honest broker, they would indeed put the U.S. to shame. But didn't Turkey offer to mediate early on? Obviously, Russia wasn't interested at that point.
Actually Denise, Russia was interested in negotiating a Peace within the 1st month of the Russian SMO and there was a real possibility of an agreement to end the WAR.
That was until Boris Johnson got to Zelensky, most probably as the US messenger, and Ukraine abruptly withdrew from the negotiations to keep the WAR going and keep a steady flow of cash going to the US Military-Industrial Complex.
The FACTS are US Oligarchs are making much more money off the Ukraine War than Russian Oligarchs. US weapons sales are going through the roof.
Ukrainian-Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland got Trudeau to buy a $400 MILLION surface to air missile system from Raytheon TO GIVE to Ukraine. with each missile costing $1.2 MILLION.
Ukraine is totally BANKRUPT, the US/NATO paying 100% of the Cost of the WAR. It's the denial of Reality to say this is a Russian WAR against Ukraine. It's a US WAR against Russia using Ukrainians as the Sacrificial Lambs-cannon fodder.
Trudeau, who said he would never buy the US F-35 years ago when they were much cheaper, just placed an order for 88 of them at a cost of $19 BILLION with the life-cycle cost of some $52 BILLION. Canadians are dumb about it, unfortunately.
All of this because of the US instigated Ukraine WAR to "bleed Russia" as announced by the US Defense/Offence Secretary Austin
Civility and community. We need more of these. But our "role models" among us, amplified by the mainstream media, are thriving on incivility and division. It doesn't bode well.
A caution about civility: Often the powerful will shout "civility" when angry powerless people try to call them out on their lies and exploitation. It's easy for the powerful to be civil when everything is going their way; not so easy for the powerless. Put differently, civility shouldn't imply obedience. There is such a thing as civil disobedience.
Right you are on all points, Bill.
As for civility, I think it should be the default mode of interaction among individuals or entities up to the point at which continuing to be civil makes one a doormat.
When it comes to societal [i.e., governmental] abuses, calling them out and protesting them are essential, as you say. Even so, I'd submit that there are some standards of behavior that should be adhered to, absent the threat of physical harm.
As an example, I'm sure that MTG would say she was calling out abuses during Biden's SOTU, but her conduct was reprehensible.
That's telling it like it is, Denise!
Thanks, Ray! I read so many negative comments from overseas on other forums, and I see so much egregious rudeness and selfishness myself, that I thought a rant was in order.
Very well put Denise. (Sorry, I’m English and in Spain just now - part of Europe!).
Hope you’re fellow Americans and governments will leave China alone.
Thanks, Trevor.
Yes, all the confrontational talk about China is really counter-productive, IMHO. On the issue of climate change alone, our working with China could be immensely beneficial. Together, we might go a long way toward turning the tide. I understand that China's human rights abuses are terrible, but realistically, the U.S. can't cast the first stone there. Just another aspect of our ugliness.
Quite so Denise. I’m sorry.
I think the entire planet will be sorry if some sanity doesn't prevail on U.S. foreign policy.
Thank you, Dennis.
As you may have noticed, you're the second person to mention U.S. policy toward China in reply to my post. I agree completely that taking a confrontational stance toward China is counter-productive on many levels. Not saying the U.S. should become a vassal state to China, but it's just stupid to throw out all the potential that cooperation could offer. This country is civil neither internally or externally, basically.
Didn't hear about China as a possible mediator. If they went in as an honest broker, they would indeed put the U.S. to shame. But didn't Turkey offer to mediate early on? Obviously, Russia wasn't interested at that point.
Actually Denise, Russia was interested in negotiating a Peace within the 1st month of the Russian SMO and there was a real possibility of an agreement to end the WAR.
That was until Boris Johnson got to Zelensky, most probably as the US messenger, and Ukraine abruptly withdrew from the negotiations to keep the WAR going and keep a steady flow of cash going to the US Military-Industrial Complex.
The FACTS are US Oligarchs are making much more money off the Ukraine War than Russian Oligarchs. US weapons sales are going through the roof.
Ukrainian-Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland got Trudeau to buy a $400 MILLION surface to air missile system from Raytheon TO GIVE to Ukraine. with each missile costing $1.2 MILLION.
Ukraine is totally BANKRUPT, the US/NATO paying 100% of the Cost of the WAR. It's the denial of Reality to say this is a Russian WAR against Ukraine. It's a US WAR against Russia using Ukrainians as the Sacrificial Lambs-cannon fodder.
Trudeau, who said he would never buy the US F-35 years ago when they were much cheaper, just placed an order for 88 of them at a cost of $19 BILLION with the life-cycle cost of some $52 BILLION. Canadians are dumb about it, unfortunately.
All of this because of the US instigated Ukraine WAR to "bleed Russia" as announced by the US Defense/Offence Secretary Austin