civility Archives | Karen Casey

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June 5, 2010

The oil spill could be perceived as an opportunity. . . Couldn't it?

The blame game has taken over the news media again. Perhaps it's always been this way or maybe it's just because the media is every where now and we get instant 24/7 feedback. But to be an official in these times, from the president on down, means the opposition will choose to make you the sole person responsible for every disaster as well as the instant fix. Obviously Obama didn't cause this oil spill. His opposition knows this even though their rhetoric suggests otherwise. BP caused it. Some even suggest the real cause of the spill goes back a few ye[...]

Karen's Musings

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May 28, 2010

Memorial Day week end feels like the real beginning of summer.

And our weather here in MN feels like summer too. It's rather nice, actually. When we left Naples a few days ago the weather was hovering near 90 every day so having it in the 80's here is perfect. But what's important about the holiday is that we are remembering those who gave their lives in service for our country. The first official observance was in Waterloo, Iowa in 1866 but the previous year, formerly enslaved blacks observed it following the Civil War in South Carolina. I find it amazing that we can put our differences aside, as is generally the ca[...]

Karen's Musings

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March 28, 2010

We are experiencing deeply troubling times . . .

The rhetoric on cable news has become deafening. I am reminded of Rodney King's words a few years ago: "Can't we all just get along?" As I've said in other posts, I am not intending for this site to be political. We all get enough of that every time we turn our televisions or radios on. But I do feel an obligation to respond to the rhetoric with some words of sanity. Much of my life as a writer and speaker has been devoted to "spreading a message of peace." I am only one voice, for sure, but I firmly believe that a lone voice is a beginning. In fact,[...]

Reflections in the Mirror - You and Yourself

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March 23, 2010

Is incivility becoming the rule of the land?

I don't know if you favor the health care reform bill or not. That's none of my business and this blog is not intended to be political. However, whatever side of this particular issue, or any issue any of us happen to favor, our thoughts can and should be expressed in terms that are not hateful toward one group of citizens or another. What we all saw on cable news over the week end, the mean-spirited placards at the rallies, the spitting on an individual congressman, the extremely vile name calling, are all examples of behavior that's shameful. A democracy al[...]

What I Believe - You and Your Higher Power

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November 23, 2009

Every time we make eye contact, we are experiencing a holy encounter. . .

What a glorious opportunity we have to shift the universe just a tiny bit if we look into the eyes of the many people we see for just one day, offering them a smile or a nod of the head. This simple acknowledgment lets them know they have been seen; that they are not invisible beings with no connection to the world around them. Too many people live lives of quiet desperation, knowing little more than isolation, but we can be the connecting rod that lets them know they matter. To us. People have honored us in this way. It's our turn to pass it on, to "pay[...]

Karen's Musings

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October 14, 2009

Bickering is counter-productive. Isn't it. . . ?

It matters not which cable channel is your favorite, the hours are generally eaten up by loud bickering, with one side or the other insisting it has the solution to the topic under discussion. Whether it's health care, the war in the Middle East, or the economy, few seem to share an opinion that serves all of human kind. It's not that disagreement is bad. In fact, the best solution for any problem quite often results from the exchange of ideas, even when expressed heatedly. However, seeking to disagree for the sake of attention or "ratings" or when the well bei[...]

Karen's Musings

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October 2, 2009

Where should civility fit in my outreach to you. . .

I have been thinking a lot lately about the growing incivility of so many in positions of power, whether they are politicians or talk show hosts. I don't intend for this blog to be "political" in tone, but I am concerned about how influential some voices are, particularly voices that might lead to violence. It makes no difference which side of the political divide one is on, the kind of rhetoric one hears if tuned into any number of radio or television shows is disturbing, to say the least. And the number of blogs that now exist calling for violence against o[...]