All articles tagged with #civil discourse
The U.S. Department of Education has allocated $169 million through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to support innovative projects in AI, civil discourse, accreditation reform, and workforce-aligned short-term programs, aiming to enhance teaching, learning, and student success in higher education.
The article discusses the tragic death of Charlie Kirk and explores ways to improve political dialogue in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of listening, planting seeds of thought rather than immediate change, and modeling respectful conversations across ideological divides to foster societal healing.
Following the murder of Charlie Kirk, the article discusses the deep political divisions in the U.S. and suggests that instead of trying to quickly change minds or shut down opposing voices, Americans should focus on planting seeds of dialogue, modeling respectful conversation, and practicing rhetorical listening to gradually bridge divides and foster understanding.
Fourteen strangers from diverse backgrounds in Wisconsin gathered for three days in Madison to discuss abortion, aiming to bridge their differing views through civil conversation. Organized by the non-partisan group Starts With Us, the participants shared personal experiences and worked on policy proposals addressing education and healthcare inequities. Despite not reaching unanimous consensus on all issues, the dialogue fostered understanding and unexpected friendships.
In Vermont, the tradition of Town Meeting, where residents gather annually to discuss and vote on local issues, offers a model of direct and civil democracy that the rest of the country could learn from. Despite challenges and threats to the tradition, the town of Elmore, Vermont, continues to uphold this practice, fostering a sense of community and connection among its residents. The open, collegial debate and personal interactions at Town Meeting stand in stark contrast to the divisive and impersonal nature of national politics, offering a glimpse of a more civil and productive form of democracy.
Jonathan Turley, a legal scholar who testified at the impeachment inquiries of both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, found himself on trial during his recent testimony at the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden. Turley warned that the toxic environment surrounding these proceedings begins with how members treat the moment, but Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi chose to attack Turley personally rather than challenge his analysis. Krishnamoorthi falsely accused Turley of defending a criminal child molester and polygamist, using past work on polygamy laws as evidence. Turley clarified that he has always opposed morality legislation and condemned the criminal actions of the individual in question. Turley's experience highlights the increasing use of personal attacks and smears in political discourse, which he argues undermines the integrity of the constitutional process.
More than 20 GOP lawmakers in Montana have called for the censure of Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the state's first openly transgender legislator, after she spoke out against a bill that would ban some gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The lawmakers, part of the self-branded "Freedom Caucus," misgendered Zephyr in their call for censure. Democratic leadership rebuked the call, with House Minority Leader Kim Abbott calling it "blatantly disrespectful" and "the farthest thing imaginable from the 'commitment to civil discourse' that these letter writers demand." Censures are not common in the Montana Legislature.