Disrespect, lurid language, extreme reactions seem to be becoming normal in general life at present. It doesn't seem to matter what the topic, or who the people are who are speaking.
I watched the House of Commons proceedings yesterday to find out what was happening. I was impressed by the Attorney General at first but then, even very senior lawyer as he is, he fell into a rant. After hours of yelling, catcalling, rabble-rousing and insults, I switched off.
I am not happy to find that the people the world sees as representing my country choose to appear intemperate and blinkered. They seem to think that insulting people who don't agree with them (on just about any topic) is a valid form of debate. I have to guess what their own views are by working them out from how much energy they spend on being offensive about other people and their opinions. I would far rather hear a measured statement of what they really think.
I am wryly amused to reflect that my primary school teacher would have taken the culprits aside and told them it's not big, and it's not clever. Perhaps their grandparents ought to take them to task?
Am I just being old-fashioned in thinking that people in authority should set a good example?