Civil discourse? What? Let’s talk about controversies – the Iran war, immigration, the farm bill, spying on Americans, etc. Those are more dynamic and timely topics, right?
But I found myself Tuesday night at Millsaps College listening to President Dr. Frank Neville and Assistant Professor of Government and Politics Dr. Eric Schmidt hold forth on “Major Topics: Reflections on the American Experiment at 250 Years of Age.” This year we do celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Yes, we probably ought to pay attention to our history during a year like this. So, okay, I went.
The two formed a distinctive duo – Neville, the former professional diplomat, Schmidt the scholarly researcher. Yet, their introductory comments were consonant. The American Experiment – our unique undertaking to establish a democratic republic – will not actually be 250 years old until 2038 since the Constitution was signed in 1788. They so noted, then discussed the radical nature of our republic – the balance of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the distribution of power through federalism, and the resulting system of checks and balances.
All this, they explained, occurred in the frame of civil discourse – the open, respectful exchange of ideas aimed at understanding, problem-solving, and promoting the public good.
Oh, they pointed out, there were many strong and differing opinions and vehement arguments among the founding fathers. But their discourse was open, mostly respectful, and aimed at a public good – the formation of a new type of government dedicated to liberty.
Neville stressed that their willingness to negotiate and compromise made our new nation possible. And their focus on liberty made possible the free flow of capital, people, and ideas – keys to America’s ascendancy.
Schmidt, co-author of The Political Dynamics of Partisan Polarization, delved into the rise of mass partisanship and the impact that has had on the functioning of our systems of governance.
Both speakers seemed optimistic that at some point the worm will turn and America’s descent into partisan polarization will end. Both emphasized that it will take civil discourse to steady the pendulum from swinging wildly back and forth between inflexible conservative and obstinate liberal governing coalitions.
Schmidt, coordinator of the Millsaps Civil Discourse Project, also spoke of the importance of teaching students to negotiate and practice civil discourse amidst today’s polarized, emotionally charged, and often hostile discourse. He described how he has students take sides on major political issues, research the issues, then engage in meaningful dialogue to negotiate solutions.
Neville said this was the first forum in a series to be held at Millsaps.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace”– Colossians 4:6.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from North Jackson.
34 comments:
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Hmmm...Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton after years of "heated rhetoric," amongst other "civil discourses," so maybe Billy and the Millsaps folks aren't as up on history as they might tell themselves. To be fair, these guys, like many other similar folks past, present, and future, were more intelligent, better-read, better-educated, and more erudite than the vast majority of "discoursers" today, but that's the medium not the message.
Western Civilization has been brainwashed into a "suicidal civility" where they are now terrified of simply being called names - and they are letting the hordes just walk right in to their countries and simply take over because too many "Christians" are afraid of enforcing the Old Testament laws as was intended.
Whereas America's Founders compromised on Central power vs Federalism, there is no "compromise" in Freedom vs IslaMarxism, which latter hybrid faction, started by Obama, rules the Left. What is half of a Mamdani? Both his halves are evil and inhuman.
10:34 is spot-on.
Eric Schmidt Sounds like a lefty commie who’s made a career in academia.
Places like Millsaps need to grow up and stop hiring people with child-like brains.
This is where we stand right now on Iran.
Iran has destroyed all 13 US military bases in the Persian Gulf region.
The IRGC has given Trump a deadline for the US Navy to withdraw from the Strait and leave the region.
The IRGC has informed Trump that he has his final offer from the IRGC, take it or leave.
The IRGC knows that the USA has zero support from any global ally except Israel.
The IRGC has likely accurately estimate that the USA and Israel do not have the sufficient ammunition stockpiles to continue fighting and also defend the homeland.
The only option left on the table is for the Trump to resort to using nuclear weapons but he has neither the courage or sufficient justification to do this.
So here he is, enraged, humiliated, impotent, looking like the caricature of a fat orange baby. He can’t win if he withdraws and he can’t win if he nukes Iran.
All because he can’t say no to Netanyahu!
Maybe we should have been studying our history EVERY YEAR and not acting like we care this year, just enough to attend one seminar…. Those who do not learn the lessons of history….
1:02- Living in Fantasyland. It’s it time for you to clock in for your job at the coffee shop in Fondren?
Thank you, Walter Cronkite. You sound as correct as Cronkite was about the Vietnam War.
1:02, Did you get all that from the Iranian state media?
@1:40, 2:01, & 5:02 PM
Another two week extension of the ceasefire and they will certainly surrender, right?
Damn! KF let that one through!
It's called plain old pattern recognition....either you're blind, brain dead, or you support the controlled demise of the U.S.
@1:02pm - You can’t speak ill of dear leader in here, too many boot licking MAGAtards will come defend his honor (while paying out the ass for gas).
Civil Discourse? Coming from leftists? When it comes to Bill Crawford, Millsaps, and the rest of the Democrat Purposeful Crime Party, EVERY ACCUSATION IS A CONFESSION, as they are exactly what they profess to hate.
Democrats lost the US House, Democrats lost US Senate, Democrats lost the White House, and Democrats lost SCOTUS, ALL VIA ELECTIONS; but look how they act. No Kings, their violence in MN, Defund/Abolish the Police that led to increases in crime and DEATHS OF INNOCENT CHILDREN, and you evil snakes call us Nazis, fascists, and say Trump’s a dictator? Are you really that stupid?
P.S. The damage Millsaps College has done via leftist indoctrination is incalculable. And as a lifelong Methodist I can attest that the United Methodist Church, has been taken over by pure evil.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1
@8:01
The GOP isnt running on what they are actually doing. Trump ran on releasing the epstein files, no new wars, fixing cost of living, MAGA, instead he did the opposite. He did everything he could to stop the release of the epstein files, he started a new war for israel, he’s MIGA, and coat of living has QUADRUPLED!
He then doubled down on his bad ddecisions and rejected criticism from core MAGA like Tucker, MTG, Massie, etc!
Whether you like Trump or not, or whether you agree with the war in Iran or not, 1:02’s post is comical fantasy. We have taken away Iran’s ability to defend itself or to make war, although rooting out those last few weapons that threaten shipping in the Straight will be tough to do. We have them by the nuts with our blockade. As far as Iran destroying all the bases in the region, I guess 1:02 doesn’t realize what is broadcast by Iranian news media is propaganda from the IRGC and not actual fact.
6:53, KF didn’t “let that one through”, he allowed that for the rest of us to see how utterly brainwashed some people are. Thanks, KF!
This will be known as the era of Rude, Crude and Tacky. And, given 8:01am 's remarks about Methodists, crazy and/ or ignorant is being added to the mix. I come from a long, long line of Methodists and many relatives were and still are, ministers in the church. Methodist churches can be very , very different in their focus depending on where the church is located. And, indeed, the Civil War influenced religions in the North and South. The "key" word is " minister". It means you minister to the" flock " as you find them.
Thats right if you aren’t regurgitating Mark Levin then you are an Iranian propagandist lunatic because the only patriotism allowed is Israel first! right?
FYI the sat images of the 13 deatroyed bases are available on EU and Chinese sat image websites. Trump censored them for Americans. Thats why you people are so ill-informed.
11:06, name and location of bases, and forces stationed. I am waiting. . .
10:51, 8:01s remark was not “about Methodists”, 8:01 plainly stated “the United Methodist Church.” We will call this an honest error.
And when the United Methodist Church threatens to take away the pensions of retired ministers if they dare guest preach at a disaffiliated Methodist Church, this is the exact opposite of “minister to the flock as you find them.”
We could call this ignorance but your “tactic” of going back a century and a half to the civil war likely means you really know better.
you boomers really do struggle with technology.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and allied forces have destroyed at least 16 U.S. military sites across eight Middle Eastern countries during the conflict that began on February 28, 2026.
Targeted Locations: Strikes hit bases in Kuwait (Ali Al Salem Air Base), Iraq (Erbil and northern munitions storage), Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base runway), Jordan (Muwaffaq Salti Air Base), Bahrain (Manama facilities), Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Strategic Impact: Satellite imagery and assessments indicate primary targets were advanced radar systems, communications infrastructure, and aircraft, with facilities rendered virtually unusable.
Financial Cost: The damage has resulted in significant financial losses, with the Pentagon estimating the conflict has cost taxpayers $25 billion; repairs to the Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters alone are estimated at $200 million.
Weapons Used: The IRGC employed missiles (including Qadr, Emad, Kheibar Shekan, and Haj Qassem types) and drone swarms to overwhelm air defenses.
@1:13 PM I don’t think Faux Newz or Mark Levin have reported any of that so I doubt 12:53 PM will believe you.
"you boomers really do struggle with technology", I'm not struggling with anything, I have you doing it for me.
1:13, you struggle with the truth. 16 bases have not been destroyed. 16 have sustained some degree of damage, some even very significant, but that’s a big difference. The truth is what it is, not what you wish it to be. 1:02 (you?) said, “Iran has destroyed all 13 US military bases in the Persian Gulf region.” Again, your wishes and certainly not the truth.
16 military sites in 8 countries… “rendered virtually unusuable”
ok mister pedantic. there might be some walls and maybe a steel frame still standing but to me “virtually unusable” means destroyed.
And what is the incentive to rebuild them if the provided little or no defense?
yeah just like how you didn’t struggle to set the flashing clock on your VCR back in the 80s because your grandkids did it for you.
Apparently Boomer Jealousy is as real as Trump Derangement Syndrome. Us boomers enjoy real life, real music, and real relationships, so who cares if you have to set the clocks on our VHS players for us.
Ok, 2:20, you got caught posting misleading content - man up to it instead of doubling down. Your post conveniently leaves out the word “some” before “rendered unusable” - you got caught again. Now that you’ve lowered to bar from “destroyed” to “virtually unusable”, provide a link to a reliable source that says 16 bases are virtually unusable.
8:40 AM, you Leftist Democrat Purposeful Crime Party Members always have an excuse when your “discourse” isn’t “civil;” right?
Wow...who could have guessed that Mississippi was damned near awash in Lawrences of Arabia, veritable experts on all things "Middle East." Well, nobody. Because it isn't. So, show of hands - how many of the above commenters have actually cleared US airspace in any other capacity than courtesy of the US military, if even by those means?
Look guys, the attacks on our bases and the attacks on the US Navy vessels by the IRGC fall below the threshold of justification for military operations.
But if Iran does not surrender within the next two weeks they will be utterly annihilated!
Praise Yahweh!
It's hard to believe that there are posters on this board that gloat about every little set back of the U.S. military in this conflict. With the only reason being that Israel is our ally, and their antisemitism is all that matters.
Nobody cares about "antisemitism" anymore, haven't you heard?
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