ADL has repeatedly sounded the alarm about the coarsening of the political debate

http://support.adl.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=32507.0&dlv_id=45442

Recommended Excerpt from the mail of Anti Defamation League (ADL)

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In recent years, ADL has repeatedly sounded the alarm about the coarsening of the political debate and how it hampers bipartisan cooperation and policy progress.  ADL has not hesitated to repudiate leaders across the political spectrum — those who have used harsh, inflammatory rhetoric, those who have demonized immigrants, those who have engaged in divisive appeals to voters in campaigns and those who have trivialized the Holocaust by inappropriately invoking  Nazi images and references. 

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Full Text of ADL Mail

Dear friend, 

As we reflect on the shootings in Arizona that resulted in the tragic loss of six lives and the wounding of 14 others, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, we have become all too aware that words have consequences.  Without casting blame, we now have an opportunity to help challenge the too-frequent use of inflammatory and inciting language in our nation's political and public discourse.

In recent years, ADL has repeatedly sounded the alarm about the coarsening of the political debate and how it hampers bipartisan cooperation and policy progress.  ADL has not hesitated to repudiate leaders across the political spectrum — those who have used harsh, inflammatory rhetoric, those who have demonized immigrants, those who have engaged in divisive appeals to voters in campaigns and those who have trivialized the Holocaust by inappropriately invoking  Nazi images and references.

As one part of our overall effort, ADL has launched a campaign to make this the moment when our country dramatically shifts the tenor of our national discourse—an appeal for leaders to work together to change the bitter climate of political and policy debates.  Our call is not directed at Republicans or Democrats.  It is a call for all America’s leaders to consider the impact of their words and to reject appeals that exploit voters’ fears, frustrations and prejudices. 

Reach out to your elected officials and urge them to work together with Members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle to restore a level of respect and civility to public life that will reflect the best of America. Send a letter to your senators and representatives and tell them to rededicate themselves to engaging in reasoned and thoughtful debate— without anger and vitriol —on the very difficult issues now confronting our nation.

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