Justice Kennedy criticizes 'intemperate' and 'divisive' public discourse
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
Justice Anthony M. Kennedy fears that civic discourse has become so divisive that it is harming American democracy.
Kennedy spoke on Tuesday at a summit on civic education in California schools, the Sacramento Bee reports.
“In recent years, our civic discourse has all too often become intemperate, irrational, hostile, divisive, insulting, unprincipled,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy said his criticism was not aimed at recent political events or even political dialogue. Rather, he said, he was talking about “our whole culture of dialogue—reviews of movies, comments on books, advice for young people.”
The justice also expressed dismay with Americans’ fascination with the internet, according to the article. Too much time on the internet harms intimate social connections and impedes deeper reflection on who we should be as a society, he said.
Hat tip to How Appealing.
