This essay made an 80+ year old widow weep. FINALLY someone mentions “decency”. I hope the American public can hold a mirror up to themselves and look long and hard at what they see. I also hope they see the word “decency” is the goal we all need to reach. In my long life, I have seen the doom and gloom, the prophecies of Apocalypse to the ending of our bright and shiny Ideal of a democracy, but I have never felt it more important at this point in time that we look to some form of moral code that can guide our politics, the Supreme Court, and the voters to make the right decision as to what direction our country is to go in. Biden is a decent man who has seen great sadness in his life and yet stayed committed to the ideals of the common good. Extremism has never gotten anyone very far, especially nations… As a nation ourselves, we have plugged along during our short tenure and kept so many of the ideals alive that our Constitution has promoted… Good times, bad times, poor decisions and some excellent leadership have kept us afloat all these years, but it’s mainly occurred through non-partisanship. I sincerely hope that can continue.
Decency, like two other qualities once spoken of as common — courtesy & sense — has become all too uncommon, & the world suffers for it. I still value it, do my best to practice & encourage it, & absolutely consider it when voting… now more than ever.
Thank you for this heartfelt reminder of what we need to improve, but can’t afford to lose: our decency & our democracy.
Think, too, of the wonderful speech in the courtroom drama “The Verdict.” It happens at the end of a trial full of tricks, lies, avarice and inhumanity, much like the political milieu of these days. The judge, played by Morgan Freeman, earnestly reminds the parties, jurors, lawyers and all, to go and “be decent people.”
We all need this reminder. The press can do that for us.
I hate to have to be the one to say it, but apparently that is my fate. Calls for decency will fall on deaf ears if said ears' bearers believe Democrats have also transgressed against decency in serious ways. If you can't think of one I will spell it out, but I'd rather you didn't make me.
My dear Dr. V. You are so right. There is plenty of blame to go around for our current state of affairs. No one is immune. Can’t we just start from a new hopeful beginning where people of good will can find some common ground? Human Beings have tremendous mental, emotional, and physical resources and so, I do not see this hope for common ground as a pipe dream. It has happened before and God willing it can happen again.
It follows that one should try to self-examine, in order to try not to be indecent. Let me be bold, since I meet with such evasion: there is a particular issue around which the Democratic Party at large hews to policies which a large and increasing portion of the population views as indecent and even grotesque, and which are not just scientifically groundless but fly in the face of an increasing body of reports.
We may also consider said policies in light of otherwise-difficult-to-explain shifts in the preferences of African-American and Hispanic voters, as the Democratic Party's position on said subject is dramatically out of step with the preferences of these groups, being supported in the vast main by Americans of European descent.
Or we can simply plug our ears when asked to look in the mirror. I'm sure that's effective.
Here's the thing: We are only ever allowed to choose the leper with the most fingers. And anybody that has been in politics for long enough is compromised and tainted to a degree. The perfect is not ever going to be the enemy of the good.
You are free to choose whoever you like. John Bolton is choosing Dick Cheney. I think there's long but real odds on Taylor Swift taking Florida this year. It'll start out as a joke until it's not. You're even free to vote yourself.
By the way, I would consider throwing my support behind Taylor Swift; I like the cut of that girl's jib. After all, if a washed-up B movie actor like their great God Ronnie could run and win, so could she. And she ain't half-senile like he was when he took office.
I often do vote for myself, in local elections when someone is on the ballot running unopposed. NOBODY should run unopposed. I write myself in on every one of those ballot entries.
Your best yet Elliot. I usually describe President Biden as having character, decency is a more powerful descriptor. And, it does take character to be a decent human being.
Elliot, I hope your words and Colin’s story reach the ears of media decision makers who will focus on decency. With my small following I plan to push this as a key message.
Terrific, Eliot. Now let's get a spotlight on this so others will take it up, share it widely and make sure it's heard on every corner and in every conversation going forward. Gives one a feeling of hoping for sensible people to rise to the occasion.
So simple, and yet so meaningful. It fits exactly my belief of what we must get down to in a participatory democracy sometimes in order to make a choice at the ballot box; what piece of information do I know about the candidate that is critical to the betterment of all - decency. Thank you Colin and Elliot.
Decency is not a partisan issue; rather, it’s a foundational issue of any functioning society. In elections, the concept of decency must come into focus as voters assess the character, integrity, and values of candidates. As citizens engage in the democratic process, considerations of decency can influence their choices and shape the future direction of their communities and nations. Thank you Elliott
How about the media ostracizing the so-called Republican leaders by taking the spotlight off of them?
Moving the spotlight and coverage to the real decent leaders of democracy could move the needle away from tyranny & insanity back to “We the people …”!
That people I have respected over the years and have thought to be good people can blindly support such a nasty and heartless psychopath is the hardest part for me to handle.
This essay made an 80+ year old widow weep. FINALLY someone mentions “decency”. I hope the American public can hold a mirror up to themselves and look long and hard at what they see. I also hope they see the word “decency” is the goal we all need to reach. In my long life, I have seen the doom and gloom, the prophecies of Apocalypse to the ending of our bright and shiny Ideal of a democracy, but I have never felt it more important at this point in time that we look to some form of moral code that can guide our politics, the Supreme Court, and the voters to make the right decision as to what direction our country is to go in. Biden is a decent man who has seen great sadness in his life and yet stayed committed to the ideals of the common good. Extremism has never gotten anyone very far, especially nations… As a nation ourselves, we have plugged along during our short tenure and kept so many of the ideals alive that our Constitution has promoted… Good times, bad times, poor decisions and some excellent leadership have kept us afloat all these years, but it’s mainly occurred through non-partisanship. I sincerely hope that can continue.
And you are not alone in that hope, Vicki!
Jost did say: “Robert Murdoch has stepped down from Fox News. Which is strange. I didn’t know there was a step down from Fox News”
Nice!
Now that’s a statement of fact first, funny second. Maybe his routine was too full of truisms?
Decency, like two other qualities once spoken of as common — courtesy & sense — has become all too uncommon, & the world suffers for it. I still value it, do my best to practice & encourage it, & absolutely consider it when voting… now more than ever.
Thank you for this heartfelt reminder of what we need to improve, but can’t afford to lose: our decency & our democracy.
Yes, Mr Kirschner, and Mr Jost- yes yes and YES!
Think, too, of the wonderful speech in the courtroom drama “The Verdict.” It happens at the end of a trial full of tricks, lies, avarice and inhumanity, much like the political milieu of these days. The judge, played by Morgan Freeman, earnestly reminds the parties, jurors, lawyers and all, to go and “be decent people.”
We all need this reminder. The press can do that for us.
I hate to have to be the one to say it, but apparently that is my fate. Calls for decency will fall on deaf ears if said ears' bearers believe Democrats have also transgressed against decency in serious ways. If you can't think of one I will spell it out, but I'd rather you didn't make me.
My dear Dr. V. You are so right. There is plenty of blame to go around for our current state of affairs. No one is immune. Can’t we just start from a new hopeful beginning where people of good will can find some common ground? Human Beings have tremendous mental, emotional, and physical resources and so, I do not see this hope for common ground as a pipe dream. It has happened before and God willing it can happen again.
Well, this will always be true, won’t it? Does it follow that one needn’t bother ?
It follows that one should try to self-examine, in order to try not to be indecent. Let me be bold, since I meet with such evasion: there is a particular issue around which the Democratic Party at large hews to policies which a large and increasing portion of the population views as indecent and even grotesque, and which are not just scientifically groundless but fly in the face of an increasing body of reports.
We may also consider said policies in light of otherwise-difficult-to-explain shifts in the preferences of African-American and Hispanic voters, as the Democratic Party's position on said subject is dramatically out of step with the preferences of these groups, being supported in the vast main by Americans of European descent.
Or we can simply plug our ears when asked to look in the mirror. I'm sure that's effective.
Here's the thing: We are only ever allowed to choose the leper with the most fingers. And anybody that has been in politics for long enough is compromised and tainted to a degree. The perfect is not ever going to be the enemy of the good.
Or shouldn't be.
You are free to choose whoever you like. John Bolton is choosing Dick Cheney. I think there's long but real odds on Taylor Swift taking Florida this year. It'll start out as a joke until it's not. You're even free to vote yourself.
By the way, I would consider throwing my support behind Taylor Swift; I like the cut of that girl's jib. After all, if a washed-up B movie actor like their great God Ronnie could run and win, so could she. And she ain't half-senile like he was when he took office.
I often do vote for myself, in local elections when someone is on the ballot running unopposed. NOBODY should run unopposed. I write myself in on every one of those ballot entries.
Your best yet Elliot. I usually describe President Biden as having character, decency is a more powerful descriptor. And, it does take character to be a decent human being.
Elliot, I hope your words and Colin’s story reach the ears of media decision makers who will focus on decency. With my small following I plan to push this as a key message.
Decency is far too rare these days. PLEASE let us remember that, and strive to improve.
Terrific, Eliot. Now let's get a spotlight on this so others will take it up, share it widely and make sure it's heard on every corner and in every conversation going forward. Gives one a feeling of hoping for sensible people to rise to the occasion.
So simple, and yet so meaningful. It fits exactly my belief of what we must get down to in a participatory democracy sometimes in order to make a choice at the ballot box; what piece of information do I know about the candidate that is critical to the betterment of all - decency. Thank you Colin and Elliot.
Decency is not a partisan issue; rather, it’s a foundational issue of any functioning society. In elections, the concept of decency must come into focus as voters assess the character, integrity, and values of candidates. As citizens engage in the democratic process, considerations of decency can influence their choices and shape the future direction of their communities and nations. Thank you Elliott
Will someone please remind the New York Times?? ☹️
Decency AND democracy are in the ballot.
Well said.
Oops! Con't:
How about the media ostracizing the so-called Republican leaders by taking the spotlight off of them?
Moving the spotlight and coverage to the real decent leaders of democracy could move the needle away from tyranny & insanity back to “We the people …”!
So pleased to read these comments and I hope people will integrate that word into daily conversations soon.
That people I have respected over the years and have thought to be good people can blindly support such a nasty and heartless psychopath is the hardest part for me to handle.