The American Spectator : From Woodstock to Civility Commissions

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A Further Perspective

From Woodstock to Civility Commissions

By George Neumayr on 4.22.10 @ 6:08AM

The left's long march.

To see Alinskyites, radical intellectuals, and Woodstock yuppies lecturing fellow Americans on the virtue of civility is tiresome but unsurprising. No one is more authoritarian than a successful left-wing revolutionary: he rises to power by extolling dissent, then stays in power by suppressing it.

Were the Tea Partiers rabid left-wing professors instead of patriotic Americans, they would receive tenure and places of honor at high-brow luncheons. Were they veterans of UC Berkeley's Free Speech Movement, they would serve as nostalgic subjects for a Time retrospective. Were Tea Partiers "demonizing" the American government in the deepest sense -- teaching the young to view the Founding Fathers with patronizing contempt and the documents they wrote as reactionary relics to be replaced by a "living Constitution" -- they would have jobs in the Obama administration.

Barack Obama would have the public believe that placard-waving grandmothers sitting in lawn chairs pose a greater threat to the country than Bill Ayers. One would think a former Alinskyite like Obama who wrote a gushing blurb for a book by that domestic terrorist -- a book addressing the subject of educating the young, no less -- and sat placidly through the "God damn America" sermons of Jeremiah Wright might approach the topic of civility a little more gingerly.

Claptrap about "civility" invariably comes from pols and pundits who celebrate or condone the most dangerous and rancid violations of it. When not whining about the Tea Party or talk radio, they are usually found busying themselves with poisonous ACLU-style causes of one kind or another: from defending the right of open jihadists to teach at Ivy League schools to raising funds for Woodstock commemorations.

Nothing is more perilous to public discourse than the "demonization" of government, Bill Clinton solemnly warns. But all he means by "government" is liberals in power, and all he means by "demonization" is resistance to the contempt that those liberals show for the constitutional authority underpinning just government.

We're seeing a replay of the inane and self-serving chatter about civility that the left cranked up after the Republicans took Congress in 1994. A memorable instance from that phony period is that very civil chaps like Paul Begala and E.L. Doctorow, a novelist who accused Ronald Reagan of perpetuating a "gangsterdom of the spirit," sat on the "Penn Commission on Society, Culture and Community," the University of Pennyslvania's hastily-formed and half-baked response to what it saw as the spread of annoyingly effective Limbaughian resistance. A Who's Who of enlightened society gathered for a few years thereafter to mull over the "explosion of incivility" and the alarming rise in "rudeness."

But what was really on their minds? Just thwarted or stalled liberal legislation and goals, as evident in the title of many of the talks given at the sham commission's events: "Tobacco and Its Regulation," "Affirmative Action and the Culture of Intolerance," "Immigration and the Fracturing of Community," "The NEA & NEH Funding Crisis," "The Great Health Care Debate of 1993-1994," "Community Building in the late Twentieth Century."

Then as now, "civility" was nothing more than a euphemism for the docile acceptance of liberalism's advance and "incivility" was equated with effective resistance to it.

Once again blaming conservative talk radio for the Oklahoma City bombing, Bill Clinton says, "The words we use really do matter because there are, there's this vast echo chamber. And they go across space and they fall on the serious and the delirious alike." This is as fatuous as saying that 9/11 wouldn't have happened if America had spoken more nicely about the Taliban. Moreover, if "words" mattered as much as the self-appointed custodians of civility now claim, they wouldn't waste their time trying to purge Tea Partiers and talk show hosts from politics. They would spend it clearing out the Ward Churchills from their academic lounges and editorial luncheons. Timothy McVeigh's most sympathetic chronicler was Gore Vidal.

About the Author

George Neumayr is a contributing editor to The American Spectator.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (38) | Leave a comment

Howard Polowski| 4.22.10 @ 8:47AM

Rudeness and incivility permeate the comments on this blog. The tone of many of the responders is shrill, bombastic, and insulting. Too immature and intellectually challenged to entertain different perspectives on issues, commenters too often result to angry, in-your-face name calling and toxic sarcasm.

I believe the readers of American Spectator could benefit from a few lessons in civility. In fact, it would be nice for AM SPEC to print a post on how to engage in civil discourse.

This might elevate the tone a tad. What do you think?

Robbins Mitchell| 4.22.10 @ 9:24AM

I think you are suffering from a severe case of recto-cranial inversion...that's what I think

Rinson Drei| 4.22.10 @ 9:38AM

I just wanted to lengthen this spammer's thread.

Petronius| 4.22.10 @ 12:00PM

AKA autoendoproctanism.

Miss Alabama| 4.22.10 @ 1:27PM

Robbins Mitchell, Petronius,

How well your comments illustrate Polowski's point!

Crimson Tide | 4.22.10 @ 4:16PM

"Miss Alabama",

Our attorney informs us that you have been served with the appropriate documents. We can only add that, as we we burned the undergarments you left behind, they cannot be returned.

Melvin| 4.22.10 @ 9:44AM

Where was this, "Civility" during Bushes Presidency from the Liberal Left? If the Left requests civility they in turn first have to give it, it is something that can't be demanded.

Howard| 4.22.10 @ 10:29AM

Howard,
You seek to engage people in civil discourse by calling them shrill, bombastic, insulting, immatire, and intellectually challenged? Can you not see the irony in your very statements? How is calling someone immature and intellectually challenged is not insulting?
Tom

bob alou| 4.22.10 @ 11:31AM

Rudeness and incivility? One must assume that Howard Polowski is either naive, facetious, or merely ignorant of the difference between the spirited discourse of AS and the hateful vitriol spewed by those on the left of center blogs regarding opinion with which they disagree. A comment on the Daily Kos that doesn't use profanity is a rarity. Those writing on the Huffington Post are little better. And these are just the columnist. When it comes to the general public the comments become even more profane, hateful and usually violent. Sorry Howard, disagreeing with those we believe are trying to destroy the fabric of this country does not make us homophobes, misogynist, racist or social luddites -- no matter how much it offends you that we disagree with your misguided notions of progress and social justice.

derekcrane| 4.23.10 @ 6:53PM

Howie, Where were you during the eight years when lefty websites like the Daily Kos referred to George Bush as a chimp? Did you ever complain about the violent lefty protests at the various economic summits around the world? You are irrelevant until the left receives your attention and venom.

Rodney King| 4.25.10 @ 9:15AM

Can't we all . . . just . . . get along?

Patricia| 4.26.10 @ 2:05PM

Mr. Polowski;
In the current environment, it is politically incorrect and even racist to say things like, "The pot is calling the kettle black" or "let's call a spade, a spade". Not too long ago, Al Gore was calling me the "extra-chromosome, knuckle dragging wing of the Republican party". You need to wise up, open your eyes and ears and stop drinking the kool aide....

Don L| 4.22.10 @ 7:21AM

No one has described the different paradigms better. It's not about hypocrisy with the left -it's about winning by any means so hypocrisy is a conservative evil only. Hypocrisy to the left is a badge of honor -therefore different standards and accountability are merely the playing out of the relative truth and morality -any means to an end -mentality. Never give them credit for anything but deception.

Great job George!

Brian Mc| 4.22.10 @ 7:24AM

The remark that pits the flag/placard-waving grandmother pictured in the lawn chair against the likes of B.O. is priceless and one I will carry to my grave, wherever that may be...praying it is somewhere in the blessed America I was raised to love, respect and appreciate...!

Thanks for a gratifying reflection on the twisted mindset of the socialism running amock in our country today.

Michael| 4.22.10 @ 7:29AM

"One would think a former Alinskyite like Obama".

Former Alinskyite?????????????

EricTheRedVM| 4.22.10 @ 8:55AM

Very well said, Mr. Neumayr. This whole Democrat-media complex caterwauling about right-wing anger, hatred, violence, and incivility is so laughable. The left invented it and celebrate it when it serves their purposes - from campus riots to anti-"war" rallies to celebrity-packed Dem fundraisers; from the lefty talk shows and web sites to the editorial pages of mainstream mags and newspapers: It's nothing but left-wing anger, hatred, violence, and incivility.

And who was uncritical of such behavior? Who was in fact legitimizing and encouraging such behavior by making upwards of $150k per speech addressing these dregs of society? Whose wife cackled with that ear-piercing voice about how "We're Americans and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration!!!"?

Bill Clinton and all the other liberal critics of "incivility" are despicable. And their smears of the *legitimate* rebellion against this Democrat soft tyranny will not shut us down.

http://VocalMinority.typepad.com
The Jewish Republican's Web Sanctuary

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.22.10 @ 9:38AM

EricVM,

Welcome to the conversations here.
Your perspectives on different issues will be appreciated.

I just keep thinking the same word over and over again: "Projection"...in the mental illness definition.

Robbins Mitchell| 4.22.10 @ 9:21AM

Well,I certainly don't need lessons in 'civility' from a low bred serial rapist who burned 160 people to death at Waco and who got himself disbarred for perjury...Rodham's husband needs to take a long look in the mirror

Ohio Mom | 4.22.10 @ 9:27AM

Say that you're ashamed of The President, win multiple grammy awards. Form a peaceful protest over government debt and get lectured by an indignant harpie. Actually, this is the best thing that could have happened to the American media, they are now, once and for all, unashamedly showing their true colors. Whether its Charlie, Diane, Katie, Tom, Brian, Chris, Keith or Wolf, or even little Rachel or B. Hussien Moyers, its so much fun watching these fools self-destruct.

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.22.10 @ 9:30AM

Howard,

I shall pray for your soul.

I shall forgive your tresspasses.

I, with God, will hate your sin of Condescension above ...but love you, the sinner.

I shall also admonish you in Jesus' name when I so choose.
You are welcome.

Rinson Drei| 4.22.10 @ 9:43AM

Mr. Polowski's comment was tongue-in-cheek. Otherwise, it would be inane.

richard| 4.22.10 @ 11:31AM

The most extreme example of incivility recently is the left's reaction to Sarah Palin.

Petronius| 4.22.10 @ 12:05PM

And don't forget they want Sarah to kill her child.

Anthony| 4.22.10 @ 12:22PM

Several of us posters have commented over the recent years on the ironic twist of history that has caused some members of the "Peace and Love" generation to turn into the jack-booted totalitarians they have now become.
Yes, the children of Woodstock, who chided their hopelessly bourgeois parents, as they sat around the college coffee houses, singing songs of revolution, (while mommy and daddy paid the tuition bills) have, in their distorted way, waged their revolution against America.
Thought police, multi -culturalism, college speech codes, affirmative action and moral relativism are all products of their long desired quest to destroy the very country that has given to them all they could possibly want.
However, the real American revolution is being fought by the true believers in American exceptionalism, as we speak.
Sorry Howard if this offends you. Actually tough...... how's that for civility!!! Don't trust anyone over 30!!!

Old Soldier| 4.22.10 @ 12:25PM

And the left will use the opposition's honor, morality, and ethics as millstones to hang around their necks.

Andrew Keirns| 4.22.10 @ 12:27PM

Every piece by George Neumayr has at least five, usually ten, 'wish i said thats' in it for me.
This latest piece has a 'wish i knew that' in it: what does it mean: "Timothy McVeigh's most sympathetic chronicler was Gore Vidal"?
I'll have to go look that one up ...

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.22.10 @ 12:49PM

Andrew,
Yeah! My thought exactly. I always look for George's name and Ferraras' name....and every now and then...Mr. Terrell hits one out of the park.

I pulled rank as a publisher at amazon.com. I am expecting his book today...can't wait.

Andrew Keirns| 4.22.10 @ 1:02PM

My Old Texican friend, Ken -- I also love Thursdays as it brings Tyrrell's column. And I can't wait for his new book to show up in my mailbox this week ...

Bob Miller| 4.22.10 @ 1:46PM

By now we ought to know what the morality and intellectual consistency of communists are. They will take whichever side of an issue will enhance their own power.

Mike| 4.22.10 @ 3:55PM

"No one is more authoritarian than a successful left-wing revolutionary."

With the possible exception of the Republican Party.
Contrast the GOP's rhetoric about freedom with how it operates. Today's GOP makes the CCCP look like pikers.

All Fed Up| 4.22.10 @ 4:05PM

When gangster thug politicians are busy ramming their multi-thousand page ideological crud down the thoats of Americans, the words "more, please" and "thank you, ma'am" do not come to mind.

Marc Jeric| 4.22.10 @ 5:04PM

Abu Hussein al Nairobi is not "a former Alinskyite" - he is still it and how.

Ken (Old Texican)| 4.22.10 @ 5:08PM

Hi Mike.
We missed you.

Whatsamatter...you run out of bong-fuel? heh.

I loved your post.

When you pay your first income tax, get back to us.

Mike| 4.22.10 @ 8:36PM

Ken,

Okay, Ken. You show me yours and I'll show you mine. How much income tax did you pay? If its not more than five figures. don't bother me.

Best regards,

Mike

gearjammer| 4.23.10 @ 6:26AM

The left lies and it always has and will lie. The liars run academia, hollywood, and the media, and much more. We have never been more lied to than at this moment in time. The lying will commence again today. Nice looking, smooth, educated, highly paid people will lie like crazy over and over today. They will call people we believe in and agree with liars and worse. Facts and reality are what thwarts them, foils them. They cannot believe people have actually figured them out. They cannot believe their high powered persuasion complex and its' machinery have not totally taken hold of the mind of at least 75 per cent of us. It seems amazing to me as well that they have not prevailed. In 2006 and 2008 they had some major electoral victory. They were so triumphant. They thought they had won and persuaded everybody to love and honor and cherish them-and then obey them. Submit to them. They believed we would be overwhelmed by Obama and Pelosi and Reid, etc. They think we think Ted Kennedy really was a big hero and we are still in deep mourning over his passing. Thus is the nature of their inner minds, societal and human view of the universe. They actually believe we go to sleep at night in fear of the horrors global warming hold in store for us. Or, at least we should, considering all the effort they have put forth to persuade us to this and so many more of their truths, their " givens". And what do we do ? We say " I don't agree with you ". We say " you are wrong ". We say this to Obama-the ultimate "man with a plan". This is an act of stupidity at best in their world. More to the point they see it as treason. They can't accept that we won't submit. And, we won't.

Radegunda| 4.24.10 @ 1:46AM

When Republicans won the House of Reps in 1994, for the first time in 40 years, the dominant media were all scolding the voters for being "angry" and throwing a "temper tantrum" (Dan Rather). And then we heard all the whining about "partisanship" in Congress--which simply meant that Democrats weren't in control. In the Democrat/media view, it was simply illegitimate for anybody but Democrats to be in charge.

When the Congress reverted to Dem control, there was no scolding about angry tantrums. But Democrat legislators made some very nasty comments about the president and our troops in harm's way. Yes, they can teach us about civility.