CIVILITY!

I experienced something today that I have been missing for years, and years, and years (I could go on).


The lecture of the morning was Jim Lehrer interviewing two political pundits. . . a democrat, and a republican.  I admit that this place up here, being called in a tongue-in-cheek fashion a "summer camp for the NPR set" is more liberal leaning than conservative leaning.  These are people who by and large are concerned about the whole world, and for those less fortunate.  But that doesn't mean that there are not conservatives here.  As we prepared for this week's theme:  "The Lehrer Report: What Informed Voters Need to Know" we have been cautioned to not turn this week's lectures into a public forum of political bias.  That we have an opportunity to actually hear from both sides, and that constantly interrupting the process with cheers and jeers reflecting one's own personal leanings will merely get in the way of becoming informed.  And for the most part, the crowd has complied.


Today, with Jim Lehrer was Donna Brazile, Democratic political pundit, campaign manager for Al Gore, CNN broadcaster, outspoken, in-your-face style.  From my standpoint, what's not to like?  Appearing on-stage with her was Whit Ayers, a Republican pundit.   For nearly 45 minutes I was able to listen to both sides of the argument in an environment of civility, humor, and lively banter.  It was amazing.   I found I did not "HATE" the other side, but was willing to listen.


Actually the funniest quip of the morning came at the beginning from the Republican:


Jim Lehrer:  "I'm going to start this morning by quoting the preacher from the sermon at church this morning when he says:  God is neither a Democrat nor a Republican."


To which, Whit Ayers, without skipping a beat said,  "Who knew?"


It was hilarious!


And Donna Brazile is hilarious anyway in her down-home, colloquial style of speech.  At one point she offered every single Independent voter in the audience to come home with her and she would cook Gumbo for them.  


What with all the one-sided tv and radio stations that pontificate 24/7 for one side, extolling the virtues of their side and vilifying the other, what a breath of fresh air to be in a place where no one was making an "enemy" of someone who was simply an "opponent."   A miracle!


I was able to spend some quality hermit time in my apartment after I worked out at the gym.   I'm less of a hermit than ever this summer, but I still need to cocoon and "fart around" and today I did that.    


Tonight Nancy, Jean, and I did library duties while the Pops concert was going on.  We could hear it because the library room is back-stage.  We stopped at the end in time to go out into the amp and participate in the annual 1812 Overture performance where the 5000 member audience participates by blowing up paper bags and pops them on-cue where the cannons come in.  Nancy, after many many more years at Chautauqua than I have been, had NEVER done this.  Thought it was too schlocky!   I assured her that "of COURSE it's too schlocky" and also not to be missed.  So we grabbed the bags, ran out in time to blow up our bags and pop them on cue.   The audience goes wild.  Norman Rockwell should have painted this.   On the Stars and Stripes Forever the flag comes out of the ceiling. . . . honestly. . . it's cheesy at its very best!


I wouldn't miss it for the world.  Chautauqua on the 4th. . . . from Civility in the morning to Cheesy at night!  Heaven!