(08-28-2019 06:23 AM)AussieMick Wrote:  I'd like to say what civility means to me.

Being aware of the needs of others (and doing one's best to accommodate them). Being willing to take the time to listen and communicate effectively.

Being able to express a point of view/opinion in a way which is polite , whilst being able to listen and discuss the views of others.
(almost forgot ... says a lot about me) ... acknowledging the positive actions and assistance of others.

Excellent principles. Let's hope we can instill these in others without getting ignored, laughed at, or shouted down...

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The last time I saw a genuine outpouring of people helping others and showing real patriotism was for a period of several years right after 9/11.

Well, I think we also need good role models. If the politicians, athletes, pop stars & other "heroes" exemplified, "lived" such principles...

(08-28-2019 02:25 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Well, I think we also need good role models. If the politicians, athletes, pop stars & other "heroes" exemplified, "lived" such principles...

Amen, Eva! And, in many instances, I would add parents to the list.

Here is a 8 minute video "Gun Control and the Value of Life"
from a question and answer session with the Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D82MLCW0Es

I found this the other day on the internet. It was a letter to a journalist about an article on the decline of society. The letter writer wrote:

"Children seem to be no longer 'brought up' but allowed to straggle up in any way they can. They seem to be taught neither morals nor manners, neither square living nor right thinking, and in the last analysis it seems to me the blame rests with the mothers and fathers."

To whom was this written? To Ida Tarbell. When was it written? In 1912.

Best
Rob

“… I find by sad Experience how the Towns and Streets are filled with lewd wicked Children, and many Children as they have played about the Streets have been heard to curse and swear and call one another Nick-names, and it would grieve ones Heart to hear what bawdy and filthy Communications proceeds from the Mouths of such…”

A Little Book for Children and Youth – Being Good Counsel and Instructions for Your Children, Earnestly Exhorting Them to Resist the Temptation of the Devil, by Robert Russel, 1695.

(09-11-2019 04:03 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  “… I find by sad Experience how the Towns and Streets are filled with lewd wicked Children, and many Children as they have played about the Streets have been heard to curse and swear and call one another Nick-names, and it would grieve ones Heart to hear what bawdy and filthy Communications proceeds from the Mouths of such…”

A Little Book for Children and Youth – Being Good Counsel and Instructions for Your Children, Earnestly Exhorting Them to Resist the Temptation of the Devil, by Robert Russel, 1695.

And even 400 years ago, where did these little "darlings" learn their bad language and behavior? Yep, from adults -- and many of them the parents.

While teaching, I had a number of parents who would bemoan the fact that their children were not turning out so well and then ask my advice. All I could say is what many teachers say, "I only have them for 45 minutes each day, and the school only has them for six hours. That leaves eighteen hours where they are your responsibility."

In our world, I wonder how many parents even see their children for ten hours each day - let alone 18.

Well, and if they happen to see each other and sit together at the dinner table, everyone (including the parents) is staring at his/her phone...

Agree. I think it is a huge problem. Just another way to decrease interaction with each other present in the room.

(08-23-2019 12:41 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  I agree with Bill and Laurie. I would be curious to know if this apparent decline in civility is also seen in Europe and elsewhere.

Here in France the situation is terrible. Every day there is knife attacks, abuses, people fighting, online harassment and threats for nothing. Intelligence services say they observe a "general ensavagment" of the society. Many of the violent acts are committed by people who have ties with Radical Islam in its various forms, political and warrior. Some native French /European ascent /immigrants who are not Muslim/peacefull and unhatefull Muslims are fleeing the big cities for the countryside. Like an internal exodus. For the state authorities deliberately aren't protecting them.
Also people turn violent for everything. They fight for stuff on sale in the supermarket. The fight to get a seat in the bus....