So I'm perusing the CNN site a few minutes ago and came across a disturbing video of folks pushing, shoving, screaming, and chanting.  (See video at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/07...).  

Unbelievable.  It was supposed to be a town hall meeting where the Congresswoman could explain her position on health care and answer questions.  These nutjobs in the audience wouldn't let her talk.  They came for one purpose: to shout her down.  This is going on all over the country.  It happened to my own Congressman a couple a days ago at a town hall meeting in Little Rock.

What happened to civil discourse?

This is, imo, the result of people listening to fruitcakes rant and rave on the radio for the last decade.  It's the result of fake news and blogs and so forth that tell people ignorance is a good thing, and being 'damn mad' is a good thing.  This has been boiling for some time, and it need not be said what the natural progression of this anger will result in next.

We're seeing this same thing in our church and on this board, where some people have no hesitation in dehumanizing others.  You have a handful of nutjobs in society and in the church agitating and deliberately trying to provoke a reaction (in the case of society, a violent one I fear) among followers.  And like a bunch of mindless robots, the masses eat it up and do exactly what they're being programmed to do.

It's sad to see it all. 

It is possible to disagree without resorting to this.

Society is not what it once was. More opinions are sold to the public , than facts. More people have a stake in the game, then ever before. We are dependant on others more than ever before. Globally as well .  We are over loaded by  people we see in the media as  power seekers rather than character builders. Society places values on whats important to them. I heard recently, that our government officials shouldnt be elected becuase of their values, but what they can do to for us. What that says to me is, men of ethics or principles, have little value in our society. And that maybe the only organization that still stresses values is the  Church. Once a society doubts its leaders or demands less of them, than a good character, and civility becomes a lost art.   

Demonization of those who dont believe in what we believe, is the biggest contributor

Slu, this is exactly why I have to refrain from religious boards and news outlets at times. The anger and immediate sadness that follows behind seeing these people's actions overwhelms me. I can only take so much. However, I find peace being with my family as well as worshiping Christ with our parish. Oh and that comment about southerners, I was born and raised in the great state of Georgia so I can relate with you there as well.

Right... Because criticising the way a group of people are acting in a given situation is dehumanizing.

Gotta love those false equivalencies.

All these people lack are little brown uniforms. They don't want a discussion; they are a mob, there to disrupt and create anarchy. They are spurred on by people like Glenn Beck and those behind the so-called Tea Baggers.  Makes me sick at my stomach.