Civility Blog

Post-election possibilities

Cassandra — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:31:56 +0000

The campaigning is done. The decisions are in. It’s time to work together on the challenges before us. For those who are feeling a little discouraged by all of the negative campaigning that took place, or perhaps a little cynical that bi-partisan efforts are truly possible, from 52 to 48 offers a sweet bit of encouragement. Folks, this is where the power lies - the people. This is where the possibilities begin - with us. Be encouraged, and spread the word!

Presidential Election

Cassandra — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:47:33 +0000

It is now the day before the election, and while some folks are obsessed with the election and its soon to be results, many others suffer from election fatigue. Hang in there, folks! This is important! Whoever you plan to vote for, just be sure to vote. A democracy is only as good as its citizens’ participation.

The Olympic Spirit

Cassandra — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:35:59 +0000

The Olympics that were held in Beijing a few weeks ago caught our imaginations and held our sustained interest as few, if any, international events do. Was it the thrill of the sports? Certainly! The accomplishments of these athletes were nothing short of amazing. Was it the fascination with China? This is certainly a country with which we are only beginning to become familiar, so yes, there was a heightened interest for some because of the Olympics’ location this year. But we believe it was more than that. We believe many people were drawn to watch and celebrate the Olympics because of the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and civility that is part and parcel of the Olympic spirit. Take that same sense of deep respect for every endeavor, joy of participation, and effort to achieve excellence – apply it to the governing process – and you have an excellent metaphor for what the Institute for Civility in Government is all about, except we seek to make civility the norm every day, rather than an exception that happens only once every few years.

Election Politics

Cassandra — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:28:58 +0000

This blog has been conspicuously silent in recent months. Given the presidential race that is unfolding, some may be surprised that we have not chosen to make more frequent comments here. But it is perhaps the politics that are making headline news almost every day that has contributed to our silence. We do not wish to be drawn into a watch-dog role regarding who is being civil in the midst of their campaigns and who is not. We trust that most people who are watching the campaigns already know. For those who value civility, we hope you are practicing and communicating as much to your elected officials, to candidates, and to others who live in your communities. That is how civility grows. Spread the word!

Independence Day

Cassandra — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:32:20 +0000

Today is July 4th, and all over the country people are celebrating. Many gather with family and friends for picnics and other outings. Others visit cemeteries to remember loved ones. Some are overseas fighting a war. And all of us are watching the presidential campaigning unfold.

All too often we take our country and the privileges we enjoy for granted. July 4th is a good day to remember, as best we can, what it took to launch this new country - and along with it, a new form of government. I was recently privileged to go to an exhibit about “Creating the United States” at the Library of Congress. Nothing I have studied or seen before made the challenges the founding fathers faced more real to me. Those founding fathers had big dreams, and along with them the courage and commitment to do their part in making those dreams come true. The outcome wasn’t perfect, but it was very good.

Since those early days some improvements have been made, most notably in regard to extending the vote to women, and civil rights guarantees, but who we are as a nation will always be in process and never a finished product. With the Institute , we, in our own way, are following in the footsteps of those who have gone before: dreaming about how this wonderful country and system of government can be even better than it is now….and having the courage and commitment to do the hard work of making those dreams come true - of helping us all participate more in our lives in community, and also be more civil to one another in the process.

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July. Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!

Super Bowl - Super Civility!

Cassandra — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:51:20 +0000

Madison Avenue is in the business of knowing what America wants - or at least what America thinks it wants. So we found it very interesting that in the midst of a wide-open and increasingly antagonistic election season, one of the Super Bowl commercials was a Coke ad bringing together two well-known political figures (Bill Frist and James Carville) from opposite sides of political aisle. The ad featured the two setting aside their ideological differences to enjoy time together in Washington, DC as they shared a Coke. Not only was the ad refreshingly clever and most welcome in its message of civility in the midst of political differences, but some think it is destined to be among the best “in a classic Super Bowl ad kind of way.” We agree! Indeed, the message of civility will never grow old.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cassandra — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:56:44 +0000

The civil rights that Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others fought for represent the most basic civility – which is fairness and equality under the law. But the dream that he had went far beyond any simple law or quaint politeness. It envisioned a day when a deep civility and respect for one another would be the norm in this country. We aren’t there yet, but the Institute for Civility in Government hopes to take us all one step closer. How? By facilitating dialogue between people with different points of view, by teaching respect, and by building a movement that helps us all be a little more civil each day.

Happy New Year!

Cassandra — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:37:05 +0000

Is the New Year the new year for only a day? I guess it depends on how long our resolutions last. Here we are in 2008, and the presidential election is well underway. There have been many debates, which is good and healthy. And as so often happens, the negative campaign ads have begun. This is not particularly helpful, but in this country, negative ads work.

What does that say about us as a people? I hope that in 2008 we can all resolve to conduct ourselves with a bit more civility. Remember when you are discussing the upcoming elections and the various candidates that you can choose to either be a part of a growing civility movement, or you can choose to be uncivil. Either way you go, it will make a difference. The question is, what kind of difference do you want to make? I hope you resolve to be civil, and that your resolution lasts throughout the new year!

Choose civility

Cassandra — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:35:15 +0000

So as we move through Thanksgiving and into the holiday season, we are thankful for so many things! The people who choose to join the Institute, and the work we are able to do. Of course! We are grateful to truly be making a difference. But also for evidence of a growing civility movement across the country, taking root in communities all over the nation, as recently reported in the Baltimore Sun. As they say, civility is something we choose. We hope you will choose to join the Institute, as every person truly counts! That is how movements grow! And may we all choose civility throughout the holiday season and the new year!

Civility back by popular demand

Cassandra — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:50:33 +0000

We have perceived a growing hunger for civility in this country, and indeed have felt it ourselves. It is our belief that the hunger people feel will - sooner or later - be expressed in the voting booth. It has happened in the past, and according to the Post Star of Glens Falls, New York, it has has happened again. Those who won in recent local elections won, at least in part, on a platform of civility.

Those who are running in the local, state, and national elections of ‘08 would be wise to notice - and many of us would be grateful if they would run their election campaigns accordingly. The culture changes as the people speak. Go out and spread a little civility today!