Category Archives: Civil Discourse

Bi-Partisan Proof: Rage Rhetoric On Outs

Written by . Posted on 25 Feb ’11. Filed under Academic & Research, Civil Discourse, Humphrey School, Media & Culture, Minneapolis, Politics & Elections. No comments.

Also published in MinnPost A new civility movement is spreading like wildfire in American culture.  Whether it engulfs enough American hearts to change a national mindset riddled by polarized views remains unclear.  But evidence is mounting that now is the time.  Unprecedented discussions are emerging […]

What Is DynamicShift?

Written by . Posted on 24 Feb ’11. Filed under ABOUT DynamicShift, Andrea Morisette Grazzini, Citizen Movement, Civil Discourse, Nonpartisan Productive Dialogue, We The People. 17 Comments.

  DynamicShift was started Fall 2009 as Nonpartisan Productive Dialogue. The grassroots initiative employs positive public kindling and productive discourse to illuminate civility.  It encourages and mediates innovative dialogues that transcend ideologies, engage shared values and create mutually-productive change by highlighting interconnections among different community […]

Super Bowl v. SOTU

Written by . Posted on 13 Feb ’11. Filed under Athletics, Citizens, Civil Discourse, Economy & Business, Nonpartisan Productive Dialogue, Populism, Professional. No comments.

    Reprinted from Twin Cities Daily January’s Super Bowl and State of the Union Speech always offer plenty to watch.  And for citizens and jocks alike: the chance to see stars and lesser souls connecting together.  With the potential to win big, Or, not.

Pundits calling for real people passions

Written by . Posted on 25 Mar ’10. Filed under Citizen Movement, Civil Discourse, Media & Culture, Politics & Elections, Populism. 1 Comment.

The bad news? Cultural caricatures have become so pervasive that not only politicians but real people have, of late, been living down to destructively low expectations. The good news? The persona of polarized rhetoric is getting an enforced ego-check. This thanks not to media manipulated […]

Middle-of-the-Road Rage

Written by . Posted on 23 Feb ’10. Filed under Academic & Research, Civil Discourse, Media & Culture, Nonpartisan Productive Dialogue, Populism. No comments.

I addressed Newsweek editor Jon Meacham at his recent talk on civil discourse at University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul. Meacham’s speech and the large turnout it drew underscores the accelerating interest in non-ideological dialogue.

Setting up my question to Meacham with a provocative “media-teaser” got his attention and launched an animated conversation. Meacham acknowledged the larger question Nonpartisan Productive Dialogue asks: when will citizens will become agitated enough about the failure of the polarizing rhetoric of our leaders to do something about it?

My published comment to Meacham’s recent Newsweek column captures the conversation and builds on it themes.