Where has all the decorum gone?

Simply Sleight, by Kari Sleight

There's been a lot of buzz surrounding the "Valley Trash" comment state Sen. Ben Stevens dished out in a heated e-mail exchange with Valley resident D.L. Mooney. Local resident Robert Baker has even found a way to capitalize on Stevens' uncouth remark.

While Stevens contends he never intended the e-mail conversation to become public, he should have known such a smear on the Valley was destined to become common knowledge.

Many people are lashing out at Stevens for his inappropriate remark, and rightfully so. The Valley is full of decent, law-abiding, well-educated and forward-thinking people, evidenced by the rapid and significant growth occurring all around us.

If the Valley were really full of "trash," I doubt the Mat-Su would be the fastest-growing area in Alaska and one of the top growth areas in the nation.

The topic arose during a recent visit with state Sen. Scott Ogan, who has heard his share of less-than-favorable remarks over the last year. While Ogan has made some questionable choices with his involvement with Evergreen Resources, he and his family were subjected to some extremely ugly name-calling and threatening comments that no one should have to endure.

During the discussion about the Stevens controversy, it was mentioned that this type of behavior seems to be becoming the norm. And that's sad.

There has been a lot of focus and uproar over Stevens' comment, but no one seems to be the least bit upset about Ms. Mooney calling Sen. Stevens a "whore."

True, our elected officials need to be thick-skinned to survive in the political arena, and Mooney's name-calling should not excuse Stevens' lack of good judgment, but Mooney should have shown more restraint in her word choice, too.

Maybe I'm being nostalgic here, but I long for the good old days when a person said "thank-you" to someone for holding the door open for them instead of walking through without a word.

I remember the time when other drivers would allow you to sneak in front of them when waiting to turn onto a heavily congested street, instead of glaring menacingly at you while inching their car so close to the car in front of them you couldn't squeeze a newspaper between the bumpers.

You used to hear a chorus of "Bless you" when you sneezed in a crowded room. Now, at best, you get a glance around the room to see who the culprit was.

My mother always told me you catch more flies with honey, but I'm beginning to doubt this still holds true; with all the hubbub surrounding this latest gaffe by an elected official, one has to wonder.

I truly hope this apparently socially accepted lack of civility is just a passing fad we'll all tire of, quickly. I may be na•ve in thinking that we can accomplish so much more through civil dialogue than mud-slinging and name-calling, but I'd sure like to see it firsthand, especially since we are in an election year and political campaigns are ramping up.

I agree with state Rep. Vic Kohring -- Sen. Ben Stevens should apologize for his stereotypical slur against Valley residents. But, Ms. Mooney shouldn't be let off the hook; she should apologize for her offensive remark, too.

Above all, I hope they, and others, take to heart the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all."

Kari Sleight is the publisher of the Frontiersman newspaper.