Let's get civilized

Tired of nasty political arguments? Want to burn your Facebook feed? A grassroots local group, Civil Dialogue, is taking on the daring task of restoring, you guessed it, polite, productive and rational discourse. The group is taking its first step with a meeting open to all comers at noon Fri., Oct. 19, in the Florida Room at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

“We are a small group of concerned citizens that respect diverse points of view and believe that our communities are stronger when we listen to and learn from one another,” read an email from organizers. “We wish to bring people together from across the political spectrum to start talking to one another in a courteous and respectful manner to begin to restore civil dialogue.”

The group said the idea isn’t to change anyone’s mind but just to make political conversations more respectful, kinder and productive. “The way to start is to get to know each other better,” read the email.

Specifically, the group’s goals include:

• Civil discourse and a government that works in the best interests of the country as a whole;

• Elected officials who are capable of working to solve the big issues facing local communities and our country;

• A media that informs citizens in a fair and responsible way.

Anyone interested is encouraged to attend – and bring a friend with a different political view. They’ll even buy both of you a cup of coffee.

For info., laplatacivildialogue@gmail.com