All articles tagged with #civility
Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy reflects on his career, influential rulings like same-sex marriage and abortion rights, and expresses concern about the current Court's confrontational tone and the importance of civility in democracy.
Roblox has launched its first Parent and Caregiver Council to involve parents in shaping platform policies, promoting safety, civility, and digital well-being, with applications open until October 26, 2025, for a program running from January to December 2026.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is campaigning in South Carolina, emphasizing unity and civility, while navigating perceptions of his liberal stance and potential presidential ambitions, with praise from Jim Clyburn.
Supreme Court Justices Barrett and Sotomayor, despite their ideological differences, have joined forces to advocate for civil discourse and respectful disagreement. They emphasized the importance of maintaining civility in polarized times and highlighted the Supreme Court as a model for the rest of the country. This comes as the court's approval ratings have reached record lows, and as justices engage in public discussions about the court's legitimacy and the need for civil debate.
School board elections in Virginia, particularly in Spotsylvania County, have become battlegrounds for political struggles and culture wars. The far right is fighting to gain control of local offices, often school boards, while the left pushes back with accusations of fascism. The nonpartisan nature of these elections is overshadowed by aggressive involvement from political parties and aligned groups. The fights center around issues such as parental control over education, removal of certain classroom materials, equity programs, and accommodations for transgender students. The toxic confrontations have led to chaos, polarization, and a breakdown of civility in public meetings. The outcome of these elections will serve as a barometer for voter sentiment heading into the 2024 elections.
A coalition of presidential centers and foundations representing nearly every former president from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama has issued a joint statement calling for the protection of American democracy and the maintenance of civility in politics. The statement, which is seen as a subtle rebuke of former President Donald Trump, emphasizes the importance of elected officials leading by example, engaging in civil dialogue, upholding democratic institutions and rights, and ensuring safe and accessible elections. The coalition aims to remind Americans of the foundations of their nation and the need for bipartisan commitment to democracy.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has begun his tenure as chairman of the National Governors Association with a focus on promoting civility and encouraging Americans to disagree without hating each other. Cox aims to provide an alternative vision to the divisiveness and toxicity that often accompanies political discourse, particularly during a presidential election year. Through his "Disagree Better" initiative, Cox plans to address immigration, engaging governors in finding consensus on securing the southern border and fixing legal immigration. The initiative will involve public schools, institutes of higher education, politicians, and businesses, and will also collaborate with researchers to understand the science behind depolarization. Cox acknowledges his own shortcomings and emphasizes the importance of apologizing and engaging in tough conversations. The success of the initiative will be measured through polling data, engagement from governors, and the attention received by positive messaging compared to negative videos.
Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, the first openly transgender woman elected to the Montana Legislature, has been prevented from speaking on the statehouse floor since last Thursday after telling her Republican colleagues that they would have “blood on their hands” if they banned gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Zephyr was deliberately misgendered by some Republican lawmakers throughout last week. She plans to keep trying to speak on the House floor Monday despite Republican leaders insisting that won’t happen until she apologizes. The standoff is the latest example of emergent discussions around civility, decorum and how to discuss political issues many perceive as life and death.
Republicans grilled Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on border control, focusing on a 2006 law that requires a standard of perfection at the border. The hearing started with fiery attacks on Mayorkas but ended with promises to tone down rhetoric and move towards civility in the House Homeland Security Committee. Mayorkas argued that the law leaves much discretion to the secretary in determining how to manage the border while the standard itself has never been met. Democrats defended Mayorkas, while Republicans accused him of failing to pursue the objective set by Congress. The hearing ended with both sides pledging to maintain decorum during proceedings.