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Civil discourse and truth

In the recent letter to the editor (“Civil Discourse,” July 3, 2018), Jacalee Michaelis writes about being a “fan” of this or that politician, about undefined beliefs in such concepts as “secure borders,” “common-sense regulations,” etc., about a vague reference to “much of Obama’s agenda,” and “things he and his attorney general said and did that inflamed race relations.”

These are not the elements of a civil discourse which by definition entails the presentation of views based on a reasoned interpretation of facts. This misuse or subterfuge of “civil” and “discourse” are immediately signaled by the offhand and unsupported reference to the equivalence of Obama and Eric Holder to the white-supremacist fascistic demagogue George Wallace.

Michaelis is correct in writing that “It’s our right as Americans to disagree …,” but the appropriate form of the expression of disagreement depends on underlying realities. It is inappropriate to attempt to engage in civil discourse with bullies, liars and those who put ego and emotions above truth.

Peter Grossman

Spokane

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