Published on National Catholic Reporter (http://ncronline.org)

Taking on incivility By Thomas C. FoxCreated Nov 30, 2009

E.J. Dionne Jr., in the Washington Post [1]today writes that “the most surprising and disappointing aspect of our politics is how little pushback there has been against the vile, extremist rhetoric that has characterized such a large part of the anti-Obama movement.”

I concur. It is disappointing, especially when one believes that civility is a mark of a mature democracy and should characterize U.S. politics.

Dionne explains: “Republican politicians, worried about future primary fights, have been reluctant to pick a fight with a radical right that seems to be the most energized section of their party. Their ‘moderation’ has consisted of a non-benign neglect of the extremists and of accusing the president merely of ’socialism.’”

Meanwhile, John Gehring, media director and senior writer for the Washington-based Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good has contributed to a book on the subject of civility, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World. The book was recently reviewed in the Post and Courier newspaper [2]in Charleston, SC.

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