Political correctness and civility

After I posted last week about the media and its behavior; I began to think about the relationship between civility and political correctness.

Before I go on I should point out that I do not and never have liked political correctness. I think it sugar coats things too much. For twenty plus years I was  disabled or physically disabled or to some crippled. I personally don't like the word crippled because of the image I had that came with it, but I could understand the usage of the word. I don't understand how or why but somewhere along the line I began to hear the word "physically challenged." Doing a puzzle is a challenge, balancing the checkbook is a challenge, at times dealing with people is a huge challenge. Dealing with a disability on a day to day basis is more than a "challenge"; especially while getting older, but I digress.

My first immediate thought was "does there have to be political correctness in order for civility to move forward within the media"? And my thought stalled there until I saw New Jersey (R) Governor Chris Christie on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. Governor Christie has a better vocabulary than I do but I think he expressed thought that I agree with when he said; that politicians going forward need to be "straight and candid" with what they say. He continues on and clarifies, "now that does not mean they need to be nasty and vitriolic, and  I think that the two can be divided... be straight an honest." http://video.foxnews.com/v/4499139/gov-chris-christie-on-fox-news-sunday

I think that is good advice for everyone; not just politicians. But I think it would be even better advice for the media. It is more than OK to talk about whatever you think about any subject but it should be done respectfully and not in an attacking manner. Discussing differences is an integral part of our country but it should be done in ways that unite, not divide.

And in specific situations like the Tuscon shooting Americans should be looking for answers and solutions for whatever the problems are instead of pointing fingers and placing blame.