Civility and Debate

By Brian L. Baker

Several months ago conservative talk-show host and former Presidential candidate, Governor Mike Huckabee, hosted Richard Dreyfus on his talk-show “Huckabee.” The two could not be more polar opposites. Dreyfuss is clear that he leans to the liberal view on many issues and Governor Huckabee is equally clear about his conservative beliefs.

Yet, Dreyfus agreed to be a guest on his show while at the same time turning down invitations to a number of other conservative hosts and conservative talk-shows.

Why?

The answer was at short term long forgotten today. “Civility.”
Dreyfus stated that Governor Huckabee had shown civility, a willingness to engage in polite, logical, and reasonable debate.

Dreyfus actually made a profound historical point. When Philip of Spain insulted Queen Elizabeth, it took her three weeks to find out about it. It took her six weeks or more to craft her response. His argument is simple…time has been removed the culture and we give less thought to how we address issues.

I have heard it said we are a 30 minute society. We want problems solved in the 30 minutes and we forget what happened 30 minutes ago. Dreyfus understands this concept. He warns that we need to take more time to make America work and that we need to not live our lives on sound-bites.

Dreyfus also stated that he was called “complex” by Neil Cavuto. Dreyfus actually implies that we need to be more complex. We need to take more time to talk and walk through discussions.

One can’t help but think that recent events make the call for civility in politics and governance more real and more important. The murder of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider, points to this issue.

There was, in America, a day where men could stand in the halls of Congress, our state capitols, or our city halls, and shout from the depths of our lungs the beliefs we hold dear. Yet, in those moments of heated debate, civility reigned. Even in anger, civility ruled the hearts of those founding fathers.

Adams and Jefferson would often engage in heated debate, but these men would take up arms and stand side by side in defense of their nation.

Make no mistake, I oppose abortion. However, I can sit down with an abortion advocate, have lunch, discuss the issues, shake hands, and walk down the street without malice in my heart. The policy discussions that surround abortion, the death penalty, prisoners at Gitmo, and other heated issues should be discussed with civility, with a remembrance of that which our forefathers fought for and a remembrance of God’s blessings in our lives.

During my last session in the Missouri House, as we were discussing policy issues on the House floor, Democrat Representative Mike Talboy and I had the chance to sit and visit. I went to the Democrat side of the House floor and sat with him for a moment and we discussed the issue of abortion.

There was no shouting. There was no yelling. I shared my view and he shared his. We discussed the adoption of my daughter and even discussed ideas on how to reduce abortions – a part of the abortion discussion we both agreed on. While we adamantly and seriously disagreed on many issues, the civility of the discussion is what is captured in my memory.

During my years in Jefferson City, after a long day of session had ended, Representative Talboy, several Republicans, and several Democrats would gather together for a game of basketball together at a local gym. Senator Ryan McKenna (D), Senator Jeff Smith (D), Representative Bob Nance (R), and many others would join us. After a long day of debate and disagreement, with no malice in our hearts, we would simply live together in this great nation.

There is a need for us to return to civility. As President Abraham Lincoln so eloquently stated, “…with malice toward none, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see right…let us finish the work we are in.”

America is work. You do not solve in a “twitter-moment.” It cannot be simply “face-booked.” It cannot be rescued by sound-bites. It is hard work that deserves the thoughtfulness that our founding fathers gave it. Let us speak our hearts and minds with civility. When our blood boils in disagreement, let it not burn away that which we cherish, but let it simmer our resolve to stay engaged and willing to stand firm in civility.