Bill OBoyle: The best New Year's resolution -- civility
Jan. 1—A new year with a fresh start.
Let's hope so.
It's time — wait, not, it's way past time for civility to return to the world.
Yes, class, today, again, we will discuss civility.
The dictionary defines civility as "civilized conduct, especially — courtesy, politeness. 'We bemoaned the decline of civility in our politics.'"
What then, is an example of civility?
"When you do not really like someone very much, but you manage to treat him politely, greeting him/her and behaving in a socially acceptable way, this is an example of civility."
Yes, you there, what is your question?
"Professor, why are we talking about civility?"
Well, let me just say, civility would have been a nice gift from Santa this year — for everybody.
If I really had a Way Back Machine that would transport me back to the days when civility was part of our lives, I would jump at the chance.
Political discourse has always been a part of the process, but in recent years, it has gotten way out of hand. As I have said before, neither side can be correct all the time. You would expect then, that discussion, negotiation and compromise would be a welcome part of that process.
But, sadly, it rarely is.
We can disagree with each other without resorting to venomous attacks, that are far too often filled with not just disrespect and insult, but with threats as well.
The reality is, part of competing is losing sometimes. And when that happens, acceptance must prevail.
Political discourse is one thing, but thanks to social media, we no longer know what to believe. How do we ever get to the truth on any issue? We have to find the right path.
Candidates these days are more concerned about telling us why we shouldn't vote for their opponents, rather than telling us why we should vote for them. Issues no longer drive the selection process — shock, untruths and, yes, "fake news" is where we get our "information."
We really need to resolve this. We need to bring civility back — especially in our elective process.
And as much as we would like, we can't hop in that Way Back Machine and return to those better days.
We have to make effort to make these days much better.
There will always be sharp disagreement between the left and the right, between Republicans and Democrats. That's the nature of the political beast. But it seems to have sharply declined from spirited political debate to visceral, venomous screaming matches with both sides of the political spectrum guilty.
Seriously, once again I say neither side can be correct all the time.
Gone is the opportunity to exchange ideas with the goal being to end up with what is best for the people. Today's politics has become more "my way or no way."
How then can we expect any sincere crossing of the political aisles to work toward compromise that is best for all?
We simply can not have that expectation. It's just not going to happen in today's garden of cabbages and kings. We have few, if any, statesmen/stateswomen. There are few true leaders of the people. We live in an "us versus them" world.
So who has the solution? Who can lead us out of this dangerous world of fear and hate?
We need a new path soon. We need leadership that will take us to a world where disagreement leads to compromise that leads to resolution that leads to fairness.
So until that day arrives — and I hope it's soon — I will occasionally fire up that Way Back Machine and travel back to those days when the world was a better place. Even if the trip back is only in my mind.
Back to the days when we walked to school, did homework and played until dark — outside, not in a room with an electronic device that only required our thumbs. Back to when we played tag and hide and seek and stickball and rode our bikes everywhere, and when we sat on our front porches and listened to a baseball game on a transistor radio.
I want to play pick-up baseball and basketball games with my pals. I want to go to Huber Stadium and root for the Shawnee Indians. I want to feel the relief of making the basketball team and getting a brand new pair of Converse Chuck Taylor hightops.
I want a Mergo's hot dog, a pizza from Joe's, a Red's sub, a cherry Coke at Rea & Derick, a CMP at Golden Quality, a Mister Softie chocolate malt, a quart of Steg — oops, nix that.
I want to hear my pals yell, "Yo Billy, come on out."
Yes, I want it all. I want it to be like that again.
This world we live in today can not sustain itself.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at boboyle@timesleader.com.
