# We need more civility in our political discourse!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 14, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586 "2011-01-14T13:24:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/61 "2011-01-17T21:55:00Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > **carlb** , you should post more often. IMHO you nailed it. > > CMC fnord! > I do have a question for everyone else. > If this,and this,and this,are just slightly over the top rhetoric . . . then I’ll never hear [Freddie’s Fashion Mart](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharpton#Freddie.27s_Fashion_Mart) brought up in any discussion of Al Sharpton ever again, right? :dubious:Ain’t the same fucking ballpark, it ain’t the same league, it ain’t even the same fucking sport. Aah, yer full of yerself since ya got picked to do the Memorial Service invocation. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/62 "2011-01-19T04:46:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > :dubious: Watch that shit, **What.** One thing we’ve learned in America these past ten years: “Working the refs” is usually an admission of weakness, not very cleverly disguised as standing up for your rights. As [Eric Alterman noted:](http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2005/05/b711509.html) > [@](#): > > During the 1992 presidential race, Rich Bond, then chair of the Republican Party, outlined the right’s game plan, saying that “There is some strategy to it [bashing the ‘liberal’ media]. If you watch any great coach, what they try to do is ‘work the refs.’ Maybe the ref will cut you a little slack on the next one.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/63 "2011-01-19T06:45:09Z")
I fear the cause of civil discourse has felt another blow, the impending retirement of “Fightin’ Joe” Lieberman. Courage, principle, vision, of these he is bereft, but civility! That one, he’s got! I know I speak for many when I bid him a heartfelt “Adios, motherfucker!” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/64 "2011-01-19T12:41:50Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > Please explain. If it’s “trolling” I will admit it and apologize. You said your comment was intended to annoy other posters (“inflame the Obamacare nuts”). If you’re posting to provoke people into negative reactions, that’s trolling. > [@What\_the](#): > > **Marley** … please come back… I want to learn. > > Or is this just a hasty reaction that you would prefer went away. If you’re so interested in my reasoning, send me a private message or start a thread in ATMB, or even report the post I made. You picked the least effective possible method of complaining. I haven’t looked at this thread since last week and I never saw your post. > [@](#): > > While you are at it… the only time I ever got an official warning was for being a “jerk”… I never got much of an explanation for that one either. While **Really Not All That Bright** was junior modding a bit, he’s correct that this is not the right forum for this. Start a thread in ATMB or send me a private message. Don’t post about this again in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/65 "2011-01-19T23:02:01Z")
So much for all that civility in our political discourse: [http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/01/abc-news-jonathan-karl-reports-the-newfound-civility-didnt-last-long-political-rhetoric-in-congress-doesnt-get-much.html](http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/01/abc-news-jonathan-karl-reports-the-newfound-civility-didnt-last-long-political-rhetoric-in-congress-doesnt-get-much.html) D Rep. TN Cohen compares the republican attempts to repeal the health care law to the work of Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/66 "2011-01-19T23:19:19Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > D Rep. TN Cohen compares the republican attempts to repeal the health care law to the work of Nazis. Nope. He compared the Republican rhetoric about the Affordable Care Act to the work of Nazi propagandist Josef Goebbels, and then compared right wing rhetoric in general to the [eliminationist](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13371713&postcount=141) rhetoric preceding the Holocaust. Can’t disagree with him. Back on topic: Why the hell is every damn person to the right of the aisle missing the point of the argument about rhetoric? (That question in itself is rhetorical; I don’t really expect any good answer.) It’s not about violent _words_ or even violent images by themselves, and it’s not about “uncivil” discourse. It’s about the lying and divisiveness and common thuggish rabble rousing that passes for political speech in post 2001 American conservatism. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/67 "2011-01-19T23:22:53Z")
> [@xenophon41](#): > > Nope. He compared the Republican rhetoric about the Affordable Care Act to the work of Nazi propagandist Josef Goebbels, and then compared right wing rhetoric in general to the [eliminationist](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13371713&postcount=141) rhetoric preceding the Holocaust. > > Can’t disagree with him. WOW!!! You consider labeling your opposition as murdering genocidist as civil political discourse? Not sure I even want to get into a debate with you. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/68 "2011-01-19T23:32:22Z")
Not what Cohen said. You might read your own link. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/69 "2011-01-19T23:37:46Z")
It was stupid thing to say, on many levels. He should apologize. The GOP apparently does not have an exclusive on dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/70 "2011-01-19T23:45:03Z")
Any chance of a Palin-Cohen Dream Ticket in '12? ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/71 "2011-01-19T23:49:23Z")
It’s too bad he ruined his good point about the “government takeover” lie by pushing the Holocaust connection. Not that he’s essentially wrong about the similarities in the rhetoric, but there’s no comparison in power structure or degree of absolutism. I wonder if he’s ever heard of Godwin… ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/72 "2011-01-19T23:53:30Z")
The fact that the Nazis used the Big Lie tactic does not make it unreasonable to point out when others use it too. ---
**Author:** ![just\_some\_guy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@just\_some\_guy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/just_some_guy5)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/73 "2011-01-20T01:05:28Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > It was stupid thing to say, on many levels. He should apologize. The GOP apparently does not have an exclusive on dumb. I was further impressed by Cohen’s use of the term “blood libel” in his afternoon comments. Clever and topical. So much for political civility… ---
**Author:** ![lovinspoonful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@lovinspoonful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovinspoonful)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/74 "2011-01-20T01:19:57Z")
> [@just\_some\_guy5](#): > > I was further impressed by Cohen’s use of the term “blood libel” in his afternoon comments. Clever and topical. So much for political civility… I believe srah Paline already used the term :“blood libel” so why was Cohen so impresive in his use of it? ---
**Author:** ![lovinspoonful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@lovinspoonful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovinspoonful)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/75 "2011-01-20T01:21:34Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The fact that the Nazis used the Big Lie tactic does not make it unreasonable to point out when others use it too. Why would you bring up the mindset of a megalomaniac? ---
**Author:** ![lovinspoonful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@lovinspoonful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovinspoonful)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/76 "2011-01-20T01:25:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > She injected herself, as you know. Next question? You are wrong. she did not inject herself into it. she was pulled in by the so-called sheriff of Pima county and the rest of the liberals who speak without their brain in gear. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/77 "2011-01-20T01:26:56Z")
> [@lovinspoonful](#): > > I believe srah Paline already used the term :“blood libel” so why was Cohen so impresive in his use of it? Because as long as the Right can point to \*anyone \*who is not being civil (in their eyes), then they (the Right) don’t have to change their ways. Even \*one \*person who has \*ever \*voted Democrat will do. ---
**Author:** ![just\_some\_guy5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@just\_some\_guy5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/just_some_guy5)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/78 "2011-01-20T01:34:49Z")
> [@lovinspoonful](#): > > I believe srah Paline already used the term :“blood libel” so why was Cohen so impresive in his use of it? Apologies for any confusion. I was simply agreeing with a previous poster that Cohen’s comments this afternoon seemed unwarranted and in stark contrast to recent calls for political civility. I also found it odd that he used the term “blood libel” given that so many in the media took offense offense to Sarah Palin’s recent use of the term. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/79 "2011-01-20T02:20:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The fact that the Nazis used the Big Lie tactic does not make it unreasonable to point out when others use it too. Calling them out on the tactic is fair game. Making fun of the childishness of the name of the repeal bill is fair game. Calling them Nazis is not. Even implying they are like Nazis is not. It is many different kinds of stupid all at once. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586/80 "2011-01-20T02:24:37Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > So much for all that civility in our political discourse: Yes, everybody had been totally civil for the last week or so and this guy ruined it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586.md?page=5)