Civil Discourse

As it is now, political discourse in the 19th century was less than civil. When Mark Twain penned these words, he might better have been described as an optimist rather than as a speaker of truth:

"It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have these three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence to never practice either." (emphasis added)

If partisans - of all shades - were to remember that just because one has the right to say something does not necessarily mean that to act on that right is wise. Words really do have consequences and the children's mantra 'sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me' is an expression of hope rather than a description of reality.

Your correspondent realizes that it is not a useful expenditure of time and effort for him to try and hold his breath while waiting for change.