Where's the civility now?

Remember when Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in Tucson by a mentally ill gunman? Do you remember the many voices calling for civility in our political dialogue that sprang from that event? That happened only eight months ago, but civility has evidently become passe.

We’ve received a few recent, unpleasant reminders of this fact. Just before the holiday weekend, video emerged of Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., telling a friendly crowd that some of his fellow members of Congress would like to lynch him because he is black. Given that Carson obviously made this up (if he didn’t, he is free to return The Washington Examiner’s calls at long last and name names), it’s a cheap way of spreading false fears and exciting base voters.