Dorgan to speak at event on civil public discourse

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan is to speak this week at a symposium in Grand Forks on civil public discourse.

The University of North Dakota's Conflict Resolution Center is holding a five-day symposium titled "Civility in Public Conversation: Have we lost our ability to talk?"

Dorgan tells the Grand Forks Herald (http://bit.ly/L2HIJH) that he thinks compromise has become a negative word, and that public talk has become more coarse. Conflict Resolution Center Director Kristine Paranica says it seems not a day goes by without someone in the news being "outlandishly disrespectful" of another person.

Rob Port writes a conservative blog and will participate on a media panel. He worries that efforts such as the symposium are misguided or even an attempt to control speech under the guise of civility.

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Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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