Submitted by William Elder.
What the hell are you people talking about? Shut up! I am trying to watch my show.
Yes, I am right— are you too stupid to see it?
No, I can see quite clearly. How dumb are you?
These are but a sampling of contemporary reactions to a question central to the survival of American democracy into the 21st Century. Winston Churchill delivered himself of a quote— one of many, many more. Among the many of us who remember who Churchill was and what he stood for is a quote that might surprise hearing it in his mouth: “The best argument against Democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” British, of course, then. But American, without doubt, now.
So, we are all not as smart as we all think we are, regardless of our vaunted rights. Good point to start from. At least, not smart enough to just open our yaps whenever we feel like it, to say whatever we want to say, regardless of what we say, how we say it, without regard to what effect it will have on our fellow citizens and what they may have to say in return. Civility must be a factor in our assertions of free speech— not a denying one, but an important modifying one. We must see that it is to our mutual advantage to try and find a way to agree to disagree short of killing each other. Even with questions so hot they have come to be boiled down to a simplistic yes or no, nor even when murderous emotions inject miasma into the very air we breathe— and argue with. Civility is a very old, very important notion among we social creatures, we humans, with applications in our busy interlaced lives no less important than clean air is. The notion we need to constantly remind ourselves of, and practice daily, is to be thoughtful of each other. The speed our tongues can travel, and the twisted paths they explore, must be matched by the speed and our willingness to rein them in. That is no less so with modern horsepower than than it was with a horse and buggy. Civility is a venerable notion but a viable, important one still.
When our emotions erupt out of our mouths like fireworks, enjoy them for their sparkle, sure, but remember them as unsustainable explosions, soon extinguished, soon forgotten. Don’t linger with a burnt taste in your mouth. Know it for the poison it is. Spit incivility out. Let it die in peace.
Where once was a burnt night sky, full of sparks and bangs, burns now a sky of real stars. Calmness settles in, a deep nighttime before a new morning. Birds know it, squirrels know it— a new season nudges up to us. Welcome it in. After all the darkness we have endured, have we not the need for joy, the courage to embrace hope and all its promises with open arms? Open our tired selves to tomorrow? I, for one, plan to wipe winter’s leaky nose, cough a time or two more, and join all my neighbors in trying to be the first to spot a new crocus popping up! Pay Beethoven’s Ode To Joy for up-lift. Whistle it for fun.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
Don Doman says
Bill,
As always . . . interesting, funny, and truthful . . . so of course most people won’t bother to read or understand . . . but so what. We know what counts . . . I think.
Don
Will says
Churchill wasn’t the first with hopeful skepticism about democracy (and people) and he won’t be the last, but it’s always better than trusting even the average authoritarian.
Erick Hartman says
Well said… See James 3:10 for additional support to this timely topic!
William Elder says
We DO know what counts, in the end. Our fingers— and toes, of course. Just as always!
VmJones says
I am at all wanna be hippy, But I believe in gravitas in governance.
Eric Chandler says
Perfect!
Ascerbic verbiage belongs in a comedy routine.
William Elder says
Eric,
Only problem is we have way too many unfunny comedians these days.
Scooter says
You don’t mean the late night show comedians who seem to have the same script that they follow do you?
At least Bill Maher admits his affiliation and defends the Rights of others Freedom of Speech.
The only one who does!
William Elder says
Scooter,
I learned to swear at an early age, and got pretty good at it. Had good teachers. That was then. I grew out of it, mainly out of boredom. Same old words. No new thoughts. Same with much of today’s popular comedy.
Scooter says
Sir,
I like how you started off the article, almost made me think about the many people who don’t know, or too lazy to learn, about politics and what’s going on from numerous sides!
I did enjoy your sharing of Churchill and how Democracy survives into the 21st century!
Please keep up the informative and thoughtful writings!
Isaiah 40:29-32
William Elder says
Scooter.
Always liked that definition of strength. Such hope there, particularly now that I am on the walking end of the definition.
Gail says
Bravo! People tune out when voices are raised in anger. We can agree to disagree without name calling, screaming, or just plain rudeness. I will listen to another’s view when presented calmly and logically, otherwise I will turn my back and walk away. The world is already too stressful and chaotic to add more tension to our daily lives.
William Elder says
Gail.
Scooter quoted Isaiah 40:29-32 to me and I was pleased to second the walking part, which, like you, is how I react to rudeness.
Jaynie Dillon Jones says
“Know it for the poison it is. Spit incivility out.” That is the best advice there is.
Scooter says
Bill,
I learned to cuss at young age too, grew up as a minority in South Seattle school district, also had uncle who was a Marine, Sea Fireman..
I learned that swearing was a sign of ignorance and self doubt PLUS being Un-Godly!
My HS sweetheart, my wife to be, helped me recognize this!
I have different outlook on Diversity but the Corporate world didn’t like to listen!
William Elder says
Scooter,
I am a bit more down-to-earth about cussing. What I really think is that there are NO bad words, only badly used words— to include the time and place for their use. Words, phrases, expressions worn out with over use and riddled with inexactitude are for me badly used words.
Bill Elder
Scooter says
Bravo!!