To the editor:

So this is now the level to which we have sunk. It begins with politicians telling their supporters to confront, harass, intimidate those who hold opposing views, a country’s leader who runs a bully pulpit and vilifies any who disagree, extremist groups on both sides using violence to disrupt any discourse they don’t like, denying people access to views that one may not agree with (whether on campus or in the public arena), pressure groups telling you to vote their way or else, and it’s all aided by the speed and anonymity of social media.

The majority of campaign ads tout how evil and terrible the opponent is, regardless if they come from the party or some nebulous PAC. Operatives give out private information on opponents to aid in the effort. Vast amounts of money flow into these efforts, even though the funding groups have no interest in the locality of the political race. So, this week’s escalation is not a surprise. It is a warning. Blame who you want, but the lack of civility, the refusal to hear anything but one’s own mantra, the self-righteousness of these actions only drive a wider wedge between us. Such a wedge formed in the 1850s and led us to try and destroy ourselves. The absolute entrenchment of opposing groups’ views will do the same again.

Think about your actions and words before you use them. Consider for a moment that you might be wrong.

Ken Meyer,

Lawrence