by jpitney | May 16, 2024 | Bipartisanship, Civility
Deena Winter at Minnesota Reformer: Sandra Feist and Kristin Robbins sat behind a desk in a state Capitol committee hearing room, preparing to tell a panel of their colleagues about their bill requiring schools to have student cell phone policies. They were working...
by jpitney | May 12, 2024 | Bipartisanship, Civility, Congress, House of Representatives
At Politico, Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with Ryan Lizza and Rachel Bade: The person on the other side of the aisle is not an enemy. They’re a fellow American. Our enemies are like Hamas and Hezbollah and the people who are trying to kill us. These are our political...
by jpitney | May 5, 2024 | Civility, Debate, Presidency
From a Los Angeles Times editorial: Debate moderators can’t hold candidates in contempt of court, levy fines or have misbehaving candidates physically removed, but they aren’t without the authority to keep participants on track. For instance, they can deal decisively...
by jpitney | Apr 29, 2024 | Civility, Higher Education, Protest
David French: Civil disobedience is distinct from First Amendment protected speech. It involves both breaking an unjust law and accepting the consequences. There is a long and honorable history of civil disobedience in the United States, but true civil disobedience...
by jpitney | Apr 22, 2024 | Bipartisanship, Civility
Frank Bruni at NYT: When Charlie Baker, a former Massachusetts governor, was enjoying enormous favor and lofty approval ratings as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, he was also stressing the importance of humility. He was fond of quoting Philippians...
by jpitney | Apr 21, 2024 | Bipartisanship, Civility, Congress, Social Media
The closing words of Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), just before his resignation took effect: It’s typical at moments such as these to say ‘‘I have no regrets.’’ This is true legislatively and professionally. I accomplished my mission and got to chair the most...
