Attention to Civility

I was offended when I read Rush Limbaugh's comments relating his cat to his knowledge of women. However, what bothered me more about the Limbaugh comment was the lack of civility in responses by Huffington blogger's to his comments. I wonder if we could set a higher standard than that demonstrated by the Limbaughs of the world - who work to inflame emotion by using insensitive and often offensive comments. I wonder if, as a civil society, we might use choose words more carefully, to fully convey our dissatisfaction with views and comments such as Limbaugh's in a way that reflects our own respect for others. Calling him names and making extensive crude comments regarding his behavior as uncivil is like paying attention to the bully in the grade school classroom by shouting and pushing him. Research has shown that the best way to change disruptive and offensive behavior in children is to ignore it; our attention is our greatest commodity. I suggest that we use it to direct our attention, words, thoughts, and energy toward individuals who strengthen our civility rather than weaken it. And if we pay any attention to those who are offensive, that we do so with civility.