Be Not Afraid.(civility in politics)

Fighting spirit, not just civility, is wanted in American public life today

When I first arrived in Washington, D.C., I thought there would be deep discussions of principles and policies in this city. I expected great debates in the Senate. I expected citizens to candidly and passionately deliberate over what was happening in our country, and to suggest new paths.

I was disabused of this heretical notion in December 1980, when I was unwittingly candid with a young Washington Post reporter. He exposed my naive openness in his column about our discussion. I had raised what I thought were legitimate objections to a number of sacred policies--such as affirmative action, welfare, school busing--policies that I felt were not serving their intended beneficiaries well. In reaction I was called names such as I had never been called in my life. I was shocked.

Why were these policies beyond question? What or who placed them off limits? Wasn't it useful for those who felt strongly about these problems and wanted to solve them to have a point of view and to he heard? Sadly, in most forums of public dialogue in this country, the answer on many subjects is no.

On difficult issues such as race there is often no real debate or honest discussion at present. Those with unorthodox views are subjected to intimidation. If you question Washington's conventional wisdom you had better be willing to endure attacks that range from hostile to libelous. The temptation is to retreat, to trim one's sails.

But that is unilateral withdrawal from the field of combat. And an argument diluted to avoid criticism is not nearly as useful as the undiluted argument, because truth is best arrived at through a process of honest and vigorous debate. Arguments should not sneak around in disguise. Dissent should not be treated as sinister.

And people should not be cowed by criticism. Those who challenge accepted wisdom in debates of consequence should expect to be treated badly. Nonetheless, they must stand undaunted. That is required, for bravery is necessary to secure freedom.