Calling bullshit on calls for civility by German Justice Minister Barley #CivilityBullshit

Germany's socialist justice minister

Barley warns against language brutalization

in some small newspaper. No idea why the minister could not convince the FAZ or, oh my Lord, the den of journalistic excellence, Die Zeit, to publish it. Madame is concerned:

"Defamatory expressions that used to be spoken only by extreme right-wingers, for example, are obviously being used by bourgeois conservative politicians today," Barley complained without naming them. "The linguistic border crossing threatens to become normal," she said, referring to tweeting US President Donald Trump. "Here, too, a habituation has set in.When politicians comment in denigrating ways on us every day in the news or on Facebook on refugees or our rule of law, this is eventually accepted and taken as a given. We must not accept that".

Language is a seismograph for the state of a society, said the minister. "Many people are worried. Worried about job loss caused by outsourcing abroad, low interest rates, skyrocketing rents and the constant pressure to adapt due to new technological developments." This "comprehensible uncertainty" is used by many to make mood and stir up fears.

Oh, and who could that be? Politicians perhaps? No, can't be, she is one and she won't be pissing down her own leg. Ah, it is those people on the street who dare to voice an opinion and that not exactly in Goetheian rhymes or Haiku. To make things worse, a lot would never vote for her fucking party, the social democrats.

The article ends

"Politicians should never increase anxiety and uncertainty in order to take advantage of it," Barley demanded. "Who plays people against each other acts asocial." For representatives of the state, "respect, decency and honesty" should be a matter of course.

Honey, who would ever surmise that? Oh, paleease.

Let's paddle across the ocean to a US law professor, Ann Althouse.

Calling bullshit on calls for civility.

That's something I always do. That's what my tag "civility bullshit" means: Calls for civility are always bullshit, because the real motivation is political advantage. Usually, the civility-demander is trying to get opponents tone it down and not take advantage of whatever hot passion and energy they've got on their side.

Or as this commenter phrased it:

"Electing Trump was the language of the unheard. Do you hear them now?"

Weeks ago, the minister confessed on Twitter to have a "passion for the rule of law".

She better cool down her exuberance, it's getting awkward. The definition for 'passion' according to the Cambridge dictionary is:

- A very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate, anger, or other emotion

As a lawyer that the minister is, one should be immune to such emotions.

Gee, as a man I can tell you passion turns high when it's about an 18 year old girl. Perhaps also a Panigale.