By Manila Ryce
Published Tuesday, November 21st, 2006, 5:01 pm
Filed under: Videos: Debate, Videos: Political, Society/Culture, Videos, US Politics

25 Responses to “Real Time: Richard Dreyfuss� Civics Lesson Part 2”

1. 

   I have no argument against anything this man has said. I do however disagree slightly in the manner in which he said it. This may be my own jaded ass talking, but the fact that he describes the hijacking of our democracy in the future tense, as though it ‘will’ happen strikes me kind of funny. This is because it HAS happened. We won’t lose our democracy to the stupid and the ignorant and the fundamentalist; I feel we HAVE lost it already. I feel it’s been lost for 200 years. He talks about the idea of Freedom of Thought and Choice and civil liberties and personal responsibility for the governing of the nation as a mere spark in the long dark and brutal history of human civilization. I argue that the spark is even more mere than he realizes.
   But he is right, it’s not completely hopeless. As the Buddhists say, Ignorance is the root of all suffering. The only way to combat this is through not just knowledge, but wisdom, and understanding as well. This is the essence of the “Enlightenment,” and as long as there are people who truly value these virtues, then we still have hope. Granted, it’s a fool’s hope; it’s simple numbers, the stupid, ignorant, and fanatic are breeding exponentially, and the time of the industrial civilization as we know it is quickly running out. But yeah, it’s still there. Go, Frodo, Go.

   PapaFigue
   11/21/06 at 6:24 pm
   

2. I caught the show and by the time Dreyfuss was into his final phase of blathering, after having cut Maher off as he was trying to wind up his final show of the season on a humorous note, I was raising my voice in *Shut-the-F-up mode.* As if these *remarkable* revelations and concepts had been grasped by him, and only him, and like some sort of pseudo academic messiah, he must seize the Real Time Temple and enlighten the masses.

   He simply droned on and on stating the obvious again and again. It was like the dude never heard of the Internet.

   I think Maher would have told him to sh-t the F up himself (and he was clearly losing patience), but the audience (some, anyway) seemed to be buying into the insipid dribble.

   Perhaps the most boring of all Real Time panels — and a little embarrassing.

   L. Bennett
   11/22/06 at 6:02 pm
   
3. 

   @L. Bennett
   I understand what you’re saying, as it seemed Maher was very frustrated that Dreyfuss had stolen the show away. However, you’re only arguing that Dreyfuss should’ve shut up because he was making the show less humorous, not because anything he said was wrong. In effect, your criticism of him being “boring” only proves his point - that we will only engage in political discourse if it’s entertaining and covered in sugar.

   Administrator
   11/22/06 at 11:30 pm
   

4. Dear L.Bennett,
   How sad, how sad. You are the example of what Mr. Dreyfuss speaks to. I can only hope that yours is the voice of the small (minded) minority. Go Richard go!!!

   cinnamon4550
   11/23/06 at 9:46 am
   

5. I haven’t heard anyone say anything this substantial for this long on American TV for many years. Didn’t Reagan pass a law against it or something?

   Trout
   11/23/06 at 9:58 am
   

6. yeah, the audience was so bored they burst into applause at the end of his excellent speech.

   christian
   11/23/06 at 10:03 am
   

7. To L. Bennett -
   Due respect, but you are wrong to dismiss what Dreyfuss is saying as “insipid dribble”. You imply that snarky comedy is the only acceptable alternative to the daily partisan pissing contest. Nonsense. The show is called “Politically Incorrect”. It’s a political panel discussion, albeit leavened with jokes. Far from being embarrassing, inappropriate or self-aggrandizing, Dreyfuss had something very important to say: not simply that “our side” (whatever side that may be) isn’t getting a fair shake, or that the other side are bad guys, but that there are concrete steps that can be taken to improve the quality and effectiveness of public debate. I find that refreshing and hopeful, and I don’t hear anyone else saying it. Twenty years after the end of the Fairness Doctrine, public discourse has become a phony screaming match staged by cynical media companies in the service of corrupt politics. It’s about time We the People took back the public sphere. Dreyfuss’s civics classes sound to me like a good place to start.

   DonnyOsmond
   11/23/06 at 10:03 am
   

8. I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for the uber-cynics who find this boring or trite. Yes, it’s been said many times before, but not so much lately. At least not in so public a forum.
   We need more people like Richard, those not afraid to bore the jaded cynics who find speaking of hope is beneath them.

   TomT
   11/23/06 at 11:41 am
   

9. If only someone could work up a TV show combining civics and ballroom dancing…or “Wisteria Lane 2: Desperate Citizens”

   I agreed with Dreyfuss’ warning. I’d hope adults would be able to learn civics as well.

   Spinsterina
   11/23/06 at 10:40 pm
   

10. Dreyfuss was excellent. Though Maher reflexively tried to interrupt and reduce it all to jokes,
    soon his attention was grabbed as was that of the audience by the rare presence of forceful, considered thought
    on the airwaves. L. Bennett’s flailing temper tantrum just reinforces Dreyfuss’ argument
    and makes me despair even more for the future of our country and world. What good is the internet if it
    just gives us a bigger excuse to sit by and do nothing? Bennet, if you think the internet is
    the sum total of existence, unplug you headphones for long enough to experience for yourself
    the reality of what is going on in the world. If you are really as cynical as you seem to be,
    it means Murdoch and Rove have you just where they want you. And then, if you want to see
    the face of vapid, manipulated America, just take a look in the mirror.

    Al
    11/24/06 at 9:57 am
    

11. Hooray for serious discourse and debate! Thank you Richard Dreyfuss for the focus you provided into very essence of what makes America the miracle that it is. Thank you for saying it on prime time television to those who have been dismissed as not having the common sense to make rational decisions. The things he said were very aptly “politically incorrect” but very appropriately on target.

    E. Franklin
    11/24/06 at 3:35 pm
    

12. I think this is a good time to mention that I believe there is a TV show out there that’s doing exactly what he espouses. And it’s the Colbert Report. Beyond all the juvenile humor, can anyone else remember a show that made a “435-part series” out of personally interviewing every congressperson, even if it’s just for a bout of sophomoric pot jokes? Granted, Colbert uses a liberal dose of sugar, but at the core of what he does is a civics lesson. He mocks the shrill tone of the pseudo-debate and then grounds his audience in the basics of the Constitution and governmental process. You couldn’t give Richard Dreyfuss a TV show to talk like he did there; it’d flop (like all truly substantive programming is destined to flop). However, I think Dreyfuss has an important role to play in getting civics reinstated in public schools and in spreading awareness among adults about the steps that need to be taken; it’s appalling how many people are allowed to vote who don’t have the foggiest notion of what the basic components, tools and mechanics of our democracy are.

    david
    11/24/06 at 7:08 pm
    

13. As some Ancient Greek wiser than I, learning something is only a matter of remembering it from having known it long before.
    My high school students are always delighted to be confined in a situation where each must listen to and offer respect for the ideas of others–even those with whom they disagree. They learn of themselves and are exposed to the ideas of others. They love to examine the major ideas of the day and enjoy their personal growth thereby both as student teacher and student learner from other students. ‘
    I’m sure that the activity is a student foundation of the teaching of civics in action. Sadly, they probably would not have listened to or understood Mr Drefus’s lesson, having been turned off to adults, long ago. They do, however, participate freely in the above process of civics when offered the opportunity.

    Dean Pettit
    11/25/06 at 8:19 am
    

14. There IS plenty of honest and hence valuable civil discussions going on in this country. It is simply that the mainstream media do not cover it.

    C-SPAN does. PBS does.

    What is sadder though, the American populous is largely and extremely un-educated and therefore ignorant.

    Ga
    11/25/06 at 8:56 am
    

15. Let’s applaude people like Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Maher. We do not need to be right all the time. We just need to be able and used to challenge all we are said. There are many ways to do so. Let’s not forget that most of the people talks about war on terror as a valid concept. We could as well talk about war on fear or war on sadness. It probably wouldn’t help the weapon industries though. Terror is not a real enemy, just a necessary one.

    Raul
    11/25/06 at 10:22 am
    

16. Placing Dreyfuss’ commentary in slightly deeper context, we find that he’s become at least somewhat aware that, with the capital system’s progress, everything - including displays of anger and incivility - becomes transformed into a commodity, into something created to be sold.
    A book about this - Society of Spectacle - was published in the later 1960s.

    Juan
    11/25/06 at 1:23 pm
    

17. A remarkable moment - insight just flows out from Dreyfuss and it was mesmerizing.

    For our cynical friends above shouting “SHUT THE F**K UP!” at the screen and being embarrassed for Maher, I think you are referring to Robin Williams’ interruptive ego fest from a few weeks ago. He pissed me right off.

    chuck
    11/26/06 at 6:15 pm
    

18. wHAT PISSES ME OFF IS THE FACT SOME PEOPLE WANT TO BE TOLD HOW TO LIVE THEIR LIVES HERE IN THE USA. I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE LAND OF “FREEDOM”. THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, THE RIGHT OF ASSY. THE RIGHT OF RELIGION THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS WHAT WE AS A NATION NEEDS TO DO TO TAKE BACK OUR GOVERMENT. RUN IT AS OUR FORE FARTHERS ONCE DID.

    KLBEDWELL
    11/28/06 at 8:31 pm
    

19. I was interested in learning more about the Dreyfuss’ “action plan”. I missed the show and accessed the Dreyfuss clip via this website. At the end of his talk he mentioned a conference hosted by Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools. Is there a way to learn more about what this community is doing to take action? I have worked actively in civic education as a teacher for nearly 25 years. I welcome support from local, state or national resources willing to focus on civic education. There is general consensus that literacy and math skills are essential components of today’s curriculum. However, civic knowledge, skills and dispositions were the original mission of our public schools. I am still hoping we keep this mission in our hearts and minds as intended. Is there a link to read more about the initiative Dreyfuss is leading? How might this plan become a model that influences other communities?

    Reminder: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

    Lisa Bietau
    11/30/06 at 4:18 pm
    

20. What is Assy? Is this a country also which allows the baring of keisters?

    Anita Hai
    12/2/06 at 11:50 am
    

21. I am a product of the Martha’s Vineyard school system and the assistant superintendent was actually my high school Social Studies teacher — the best teacher I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is somehow responsible for this. I trust that it will prove fruitful…for everyone’s sake!

    Robert
    12/3/06 at 5:03 pm
    
22. 

    @Robert

    Perhaps you or your former teacher could answer some of Lisa Bietau’s questions above. If anyone has more info on the program, feel free to post it here.

    Administrator
    12/3/06 at 5:20 pm
    

23. Thanks for speaking up, it is more important than ever to do so.
    I want to encourage you to check the Democratic Schools. You can get lots of information about it on the website: www.educationrevolution.org

    There is already hope out there in Democratic Schools, we just need to convince more people that it works. These schools protect the democracy by living democracy not by teaching/ preaching about democracy.

    The secret is Learning by Doing,
    Ofira Roll

    Ofira Roll
    12/15/06 at 12:34 pm
    

24. Guess who’s here!
    

    pitceopg
    08/22/07 at 11:50 pm
    

25. Richard Dreyfuss has opened many minds. Thank you for posting his videos here.

    –Chris
    designme.ws

    Chris
    02/6/09 at 1:55 am
    

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