Carmen Esqueda: Uncivil Discourse

I am not for or against uncivil discourse because it has been going on for decades.  However, now that it poses a huge controversy among all the American people and different cultures within the U.S. I have an opinion.  The negative part of uncivil discourse causes harm to those trying to make a positive change.  For instance, the so-called protest that turn in to riots or damaging businesses and verbally or physically harming others.  How can society take those people serious are hear rioters out when that goes against what free speech initially was meant to be for.  Sometimes information is released or mentioned in return the people the story was about get harassed.  For some reason some people feel it is okay to verbally abuse people for saying what is on their mind or information about them is put out for all to see.  However, government has become so consumed with shutting down anyone or anything expressing truthful issues.  Then some people get so offended from a simple opinion or a peaceful protest that does not coincide with what they stand for or believe in.  I do not believe things will change if there is consequences handed out for negative or offensive free speech.  Some people feel so strongly about their beliefs that they will accept the consequences or just do not care what happens.  Those who do care just might simply stay quite and keep their opinions to themselves because they feel it is not worth getting involved or things will not change.  If anything, free speech will eventually be obsolete at the rate the government is working to take just about all our American rights away.     

Article

Editor: Mayor refuses responsibility for uncivil discourse he incited

            From what I gather, the article visits the fact that a Bastrop counsel member filed a complaint against the other counsel members that involved the mayor.  Information was given out about a case, which is against code.  In addition, a comment was made about the person that filed the complaints.  However, nothing was done and no one was fired.  If anything, the counsel member that filed the complaint is the one dealing with drama.  He was talked about and made out to be the bad person for initially filing the complaint.  This is a good example of how leaking information can be used against someone and bring about negative uncivil discourse or trying to do the right thing leads to negative behavior from others.  

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/editor-mayor-refuses-responsibility-for-uncivil-discourse-incited/h5ZYDBJQpLgV8GXaMKYJSO/