Ah, how I miss the days of civility, manners, and respect.

I’m not laying blame at any political party or media outlet. If you are participating in conversations online, in person, or over the phone, you should be civil.

We are all responsible for our behavior…and our example.

I’ve been attacked twice this week online.

The first time, I was responding to a post about thanksgiving stuffing. I had the nerve to suggest that in the South, we eat dressing!

What followed was a dressing down because of my scandalous, hateful comment. Sarcasm.

The second time, I had the nerve to give a testimony of an experience I had trying to adopt a kitten from a kill shelter. I was denied because I refused to guarantee I wouldn’t get my cat declawed, with the back story I had a cat that climbed the drapes and I had it declawed.

What was posted next described me as a monster. I was told I should never be trusted with an animal. And on and on.

Once upon a time, you could agree to disagree. No more.

Now, behind the mask of internet anonymity, people will post the most hateful attacks and comments towards people they have never met.

There is no civil debate. I learned a lot in debate class in high school many moons ago – we presented our case, and then our response, with no personal attacks, threats, or cussing.

I refuse to believe we can’t go back to being civil.

If I see a post I don’t like, I move on. If it offends me, I delete it. If it is hateful or promotes hate, I block the perpetrators.

As for me, I’m spending less time online, and will continue to whittle social media visits down.

In the real world, I will continue to smile and say hi to people I pass. I will seek to be a peacemaker.

I’ve got my political views. You’ve got yours. We both have the right to speak them, but can we agree to be civil, even if we can’t agree?

The kids are watching.