Respect

The general and increasing lack of civility in public discourse, by those elected to represent us, broadcast personalities (many masquerading as journalists or entertainers), academics, and organized labor leaders should distress everyone.  Regrettably, this negative phenomenon is aided and abetted by social media, as well as much of the supposed regular media.

Inflammatory, derogatory, and plain nasty comments made in yesteryear were limited by relatively small audiences they could reach.  The world today revels in the negativity being sent literally around the world, which emboldens the commentators.  So civility retreats further and further.  

It is not a matter of free speech, either.  Do not be swayed by those flying the false flag of free speech as justifying their disrespectful, hateful, incendiary language.  Our free speech laws permit such language, but they do not justify it.

Respectfully, intelligently disagreeing with someone or some idea is the essence of our tenets of free speech.  However, the histrionics employed by all too many woefully fail to comport with those tenets.  Alas, there is nothing I can do to dissuade those who abusively and disrespectfully yammer and hammer at others.  There is nothing I can do to persuade them to act civilly and with respect, even when disagreeing.

I can, most assuredly, choose to associate with those who treat one another with respect.  Even when disagreeing about important issues, these with whom I choose to associate would never treat one another without respect.  Respect born of shared beliefs, sacrifices, service, and experiences.

These with whom I choose to associate are American military veterans.  At Patriot Guard Rider missions, for example, topical issues are discussed, at times with divergent views expressed.  Again, even when strongly held opposing views are shared, it is done so with absolute respect.

Once more, our military veterans stand as exemplars for the general population.  They embody RESPECT.