A lack of civility

i wish every day that my four sibblins and i could of had a chance to have been left in a safe place back in the sixties. i for one praise the thought of safe havens for our throw aways. there are way to many victims / "survivors" that must deal with the reality of abuse daily . so more power to the safe havens, we should start a web page for donations to help with their recovery and success. "advertise safe havens" let the children, the people (which are nine times out of ten victims themselves) know that there is a place for hope!

Thank you Jamie!!! Having been a victum of an accident, that showed no outward injuries I completely understand. My husband and I were FORCED to sue the insurance company just to get my medical bills paid! Has this been pushed over the cliff? IMO, yes. Are the injuries real? I have to say yes. I am living proof with a fused spine for the rest of my life because someone did not like what I was doing. What ever happened to Insurance Companies paying medical bills WITHOUT a fight, and people in general lending a helping hand instead of a kick in the @#$%?!!!!

It sounds like you are placing the blame for lack of civility squarely on President Bush’s shoulders. That is simply inaccurate. Heck, I don’t think we have the right man for the job in the 2009 presidency. Some things will improve but not foreign policy and the way we deal with belligerent countries, I fear those two things will disintegrate. I’ll hold out hope though. As long as Obama doesn’t pull a Clinton and cut our military strength in half. That would put our country too much at risk. Not to mention what it would do to our current economy! You think civility is bad now! As for our rights, we still have them. Yes we are monitored more stringently, but it’s still not as bad as those conspiracy theorists would lead us to believe.

Yes we need to look out for each other and be kind and considerate and it’s my heartfelt hope that it does not take another tragedy like 9/11 for that to happen. But place the blame where it should be, each individual, not President Bush’s.

PLEASE.! You are such a liberal i.e. Put the blame on someone else. Civility comes from being taught at home and actually caring about your neighbor. It's not the President's fault, not the GOP's fault, not the government's fault (past , present or future); nor is it the economy that makes this country uncivil. Obama is not God nor this country's savior. Civility is not government dictated no matter what the party. More religion in this country not less. Put the blame where it belongs – on the individuals
and stop wanting the government to do EVERYTHING for you.

I’m sure you’re right Jami.

If you read Jami's articles on here, the election of Barack Obama will change everything. Blacks are gonna straighten up and fly right, now. The legal system will suddenly correct it's downward spiral. As proud citizens of the United States, we will all now stand up and assume our previously abandoned roles as jurors, voters and civil adults. Once He has accomplished eliminating all of the plagues that made us uncivil, we will all, of course, once again become civil.

Barack Obama will solve the economic crisis and get all of us our jobs and homes back. He'll end both of our unecessary wars. He’ll fold up the tents in Iraq and have our troops come home with their tails between their legs, leaving behind a job we could have completed honorably. But wait, they won’t come home. He’ll send them to Afghanistan. A country that has been at war since before Christ was born and will still be at war when Christ returns. In his spare time, He’ll eliminate our fear of world terrorism. He will do all these things while He lessens the powers of the President. And finally, He will raise his arms to Heaven and say, “I will take these two loaves of bread, which is all we now have in the U.S. Treasury, and I shall make them Universal Health Care and Educational Reform.” And we will all see; it is good.

Okay, maybe that is a lot to ask of one man. We will all become civil to each other just because Barack Obama has been elected President. He is the Messiah, after all. The Dream has been realized.
He needth not do more.
Amen.

I agree civility is lacking in this country as well as other places. Let us be the change we want to see in the world. We need to teach our children tolerance of that which is different. We need to teach our children to mind their own business if what the other person is doing does not affect themselves or someone unable to protect themselves. Let us teach our children to not judge others. Let us teach our children that killing is wrong. Let us teach our children to love one another. Let us teach our children to care for the earth as if it was on loan from another. Lets do all of the above by being an example to our children of the right way to live instead of being an example of whats wrong in the world. Hate of anyone based on skin color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation is not to be tolerated. Groups that advocate hate are not to be tolerated. Live and let live.

LL Your right to a certain degree on helping each other. If only the younger generation would help that would be a big change. It`s a shame that they only think of themselves and their video games!! After 9/11 people were kind to each. Bush is not the blame for all this but people have it in their minds that they have to blame some one wether their right or wrong. Back in the sixties i always helped my parents or my neighbors but now you can`t get teens to help anyone because their either lazy or they think we owe them the world!! RIGHT OR WRONG?

I disagree that our (U.S. citizens) saw an erosion of rights to a trial. Nor were cell phone comm EVER considered private as landline comm. The real erosion of freedom is happening right now, with our government taking total control of the housing industry "fixing" problems the government caused with enforcement of rules to loan money to people bankers wouldn't have loaned money to without pressure from the Clinton administration.

I don't think a President who wants to "spread the wealth around" by force of tax law, and believes policies that will make electric utility costs skyrocket is going to enhance personal freedoms. Thus I don't think that 4 years from now I will have nearly as much personal freedom. And my concern for Jami and my own grandchildren is profound.

Jamie,

I agree with you. Hopefully, with our new president, we have a chance for a new America. As Sheryl Crow sang, "A change will do you good". Also, the great John Lennon quote, "Give peace a chance." I think that we have finally got that chance.

Jami, I am sure you are good and sincere person and from what I can ascertain watching you on the tube, you are a brilliant and dynamic human being. That being said, your sermon here is without merit. The most recently published FBI stats indicate declining crime trends in most major categories. Your subtle castigation of G.B. makes you seem over-eager to jump on the trendiness bandwagon. The guy has his faults but to blame your perceived lack of national civility on him and his policies does not make sense. Kindness and civility are personal responsibilities, not government-guided traits. Incidentally, folks in my town of Truckee, CA are as civil and kind as ever and I suspect we will remain that way no matter who occupies the White House.

All parties need to take responsibility for the downfall of the economic status of this country and stop trying to blame everyone else. Both republicans and democrats played an equal role in the demise. So please stop victimizing. There is so much of a gimmie, gimmie, gimmie attitude in this country. Me me me me, what's in it for me. There is a river of blame running through this country. It is so sad that the selfishness is so evident. Everyone wants their own way instead of the good of others. How can my life help someone. Try substitute teaching at your child's school. All parents should spend a day attending school with their children and get a true picture of the behavior and attitude and character of the future generation of the leaders of this country, I dare you.

Guess I fail in the civility department.
I write "uselessSponge and GetAJob" on all the bank checks I send out to my husband's ex. Wages were imaginary for a court order so she could get more child support from a hard working honest man who has never sherked his responsibilities. She has never had a job , by choice, and never paid her own way ,so "uselesssponge" is a true statement in my eyes. She is taking the checks to a prosecuter on monday for slander.

Guess if they want to fight with hard working honest taxpayer money , I will just hold my wrists out and let them take me in I refuse to fall into the sponge catagory.

I know this is trivial given all the world troubles. I feel I have freedom of speech and opinion without consequences.
Thanks for listening.

Jamie, You are right. People need to lend a helping hand to others less fortunate. I am disabled and no one will help me I feel so sad Insurance Company treat me cruel. I hope things change in 2009. We need to care about each other.

LL: Do you really think that the country is much safer now than it used to be, prior to 911? Then think again, notable experts in the field of security have stated over and over again that the security our country now experiences is nothing more – or less – a "security theater". And for this – by the policies applied – the Bush administration is to be blamed, whether you like it or not!

Then the president-elect: Would you give the man a chance, please? Like you and people like your have given George W. Bush eight years a chance, with the ultimate result being a country, economy and citizens close to being bankrupt!

Jamie, your political slip is showing. As citizens of this great country we need to stop tying ourselves emotionally so tightly to a new president. He may also disappoint. In fact, the chances are very good he will disappoint, after all he is just one man, not a savior.

Hi!
I agree with what you said, and it is sad to see what this has done!
look in to the disadvantaged and elders not getting help!
A deaf ear and blinders have taken over and this waiting for things to change is going to coust this country dearly.

Thanks Dennis

I don't think the president is responsible for civility, nor is congress, or the judicial branch. We the people are responsible for civility. Usually when the government acts it's rarely a positive outcome. The same will apply to Obama. Basic human respect and dignity is definitely on the wane. Maybe we should send everyone to a school of etiquette.

dido LL perfectly said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait until 4 years have past and the country is still in unrest. What will the liberals say then? Can't pass the buck because we have control of Congress too. Hmm. I agree with you that people do need to be more civil to each other. But I think it's a lesson in manners, not political change of conscious.

John Lennon – yeah sadly much of today's generation has a huge sense of entitlement. And rather than looking within and searching for ways that we can change things, it's too easy to place blame.
Change starts with ourselves. How can we change things if we are unwilling to see our own flaws and fix them? We do that, then we can effect change in others.

WHY NOT HELP GM WE BAILED OUT BANKS MOST OF THEM SHOULD GO UNDER THERE ARE TO MANY BANKS ANY WAY

WHY WOULD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT GM FORD AND CHRYSLER TO GO UNDER THEN ALL WE WOULD HAVE IS CARS FROM OTHER COUNTRY LIKE EVERY THING ELSE ONCE WE LOSE THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE

We need to stop giving money to other country and take care of our own!
exemple
israel n1
china n2
america latina n3

I agree with you commentary completely. The lack of civility engulfing our society seems to be not only pervasive, but expanding exponentially. Everyday I witness, either vicariously or personally, absolute rudeness, meaness and impoliteness. Whether in traffic, during phone calls, or merely in the elevator lobby of an office building, incivility is out there . . . and its growing by leaps and bounds. I only hope that articles/commentary like yours keep us grounded and aware that civility begins on small levels . . . with "the individual." If I want civility, I have to BE civil. Even when I don't feel like it. Especially when I dont' feel like it. Or even when (as is much more likely to be the case) the person I'm trying to be civil towards, is being completely un-civil in return. We all get in "moods," but is there EVER a time to be "rude and nasty?" I really don't think so. Thanks again for your article.

It's a funny thing about change. In Germany during the depression their economy was in a significant downturn. They wanted change and they received their wishes. Brown Shirts, Gestapo, 6 million Jews murdered (their economic stimulas package), the skin of those Jews turned into lamp shades, a great speaker and orater. I think Barack has followed the same playbook as Adolf. Yes, with the election of this Socialist we need change.

I agree, civility has gone with the Bush administration. With its decisions affecting America lives. Now, yes we can look too change that makes sense with all of our help. We are all Americans, so we must all take charge in our neighborhoods to form real change that is honorable. Thank you for your foresight and compassion, it fits you.

Please take a look at Tina's response with which I agree whole heartedly. Civiltiy is something taught at home along with manners and compassion. Having respect not only for yourself but for others is not something the government has control over.

Excuse me, when people treat strangers who are Americans with disdain or some form of disrespect, the way to fairness is dropped.. Civility works well when "we" do all we can to show we care about Americans, no matter what their culture is. Respect is the main ingredient. Change is here, so maybe Civility will return as well.

Thank You Jami for being you!

You can't be that ignorant of the facts. No citizen has lost their civil rights in this country. We are at war with terrorists and warrantless intercepts where the government "has a reasonable basis to conclude that one party to the communication is a member of al Qaeda, affiliated with al Qaeda, or a member of an organization affiliated with al Qaeda, or working in support of al Qaeda." and that one party to the conversation is "outside of the United States". These days with instant communications we cannot wait days to get a warrant, by then it may be to late and you would be yelling, "why didn't the government protect us" Tribunals instead of trials? These scum were picked up on the battlefield. what is our military supposed to do? stop the battle and put up yellow crime scene tape, interview witnesses, call CSI and marandize them? The precedent for tribunals came from one of the lefts great heroes, FDR when he tried and executed 8 Nazis here in the U. S..
A resurgence of civility? I take you to Obama's spiritual adviser( 20yrs) and mentor the great Reverend Wright and Pfleger(God damn America). Or how about his friends Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers (weather underground) they wish they could have done more (bombing), do you? Tony Rezco ring a bell? I predict that you are a far left wing nut.

Jamie and Shorte, Oh do I agree. I'm thinking we'll get nowhere good without civility. I am tired of rudeness , attack. blame, rumor.
And yes , I care deeply about the poor and needy. Its all around us.
Comes down even to civil discussion with those who hate us , so that we can find answers other than war.
Thanks, and I do wish you a good day.