Down with bad behavior

With apologies to Mark Twain, civility is just like the weather. Everyone talks about it, but no one ever does anything about it. Meanwhile, rolling clouds of thunderous insults and disrespectful behavior seem to be invading everywhere from the Internet to the halls of the Legislature.

That may be because no one knows exactly what to do. When folks apparently aren't taught proper behavior in the home, it's hard to give them a remedial course.

But that hasn't stopped local attorney John Kesler, who strongly believes Americans can exercise free-speech rights and advocate passionately for their core convictions without getting in the faces of their neighbors or showing disrespect. Kesler heads a nonprofit group called the Salt Lake Center for Engaging Community. He has won the support of some influential Utahns, such as Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker, among others.

We hope he can get all state lawmakers to sign on soon, as well. In recent years, committee chairmen have routinely excluded public comment from hearings on bills or have allowed people to shout down others who are advocating one position or another. Sometimes lawmakers violate their own rules of procedure or simply make up their own on the spot.

But boorish behavior is by no means confined to Capitol Hill. It can be found in many city council chambers and in the anonymous posts left on virtually any newspaper or blog site. Anonymity is no cover for bad behavior. It still reflects on a person's character and ought to gnaw on his or her conscience.

Kesler's group has a set of ground rules for respectful behavior. Mainly, these have to do with recognizing the rights of others and their dignity as human beings. Specifically, they call for people to avoid "intimidation, ridicule, personal attacks, mean spiritedness, reprisals against those who disagree..."

The things your mother probably taught you, in other words. And if she didn't, the things you now need to learn.

Kesler deserves support in his efforts. He would like to present demonstration projects to groups in order to teach them how to put these rules into practice. That's a good idea, but what a shame that Americans have to be taught such things.

And what a shame it would be if state lawmakers don't pass a joint resolution supporting these principles.