Choose Civility

Choose Civility was kicked off in Howard County, Maryland in 2007 as noted in the following release:

(Columbia, Maryland) -- Respect, empathy, and tolerance. People caring and getting involved. These are wonderful characteristics for any community. But is basic civility alive and well? One may wonder as we encounter apathetic neighbors, enraged drivers, disrespectful youth, snippy store clerks, and belligerent customers.
Something can be done to enhance civility, and that's the focus of a kickoff forum called “Choose Civility: The Art and Skill to Live Well Among Others,” to be held on Thursday, February 22, 2007, from 7:30 am to noon at Howard Community College. As part of an on-going community initiative in Howard County, "Choose Civility” is a project led by Howard County Library to promote respect, empathy, consideration and tolerance.

Many residents of Columbia, Howard County, have the green "Choose Civility" bumper stickers. I see them mostly on cars that cut in front of me in traffic, flip high beams at me to move over before darting around me, drive on the shoulder of the road when traffic is backed up, and use the exit/entrance ramps to go around slow traffic.

They may have bought the bumper sticker, but they certainly don't adhere to the principles of the forum.