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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Agree to Disagree: Surviving the Holiday Political Banter

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Wednesday, December 21, 2016   

LINCOLN, Neb. – "We respectfully agree to disagree" may be the mantra heard at many office parties and holiday gatherings across the country.

Weeks after the presidential election, emotions still are charged for a lot of people.

Parisa Parsa, executive director of the conversation facilitator firm Essential Partners, says everyone needs to ask if he or she is grounded enough to resist angry outbursts and frustration, and if it is possible to listen and speak with care so not to damage important relationships.

Parsa says avoiding political conversations for now might be a good idea if people are feeling tense, but eventually, everyone should be able to talk about it.

"Long term, it does our democracy, our families and ourselves a big disservice not to go to the tough stuff, because those deeply held values and positions come out of our personal experience," she states.

Tips to avoid a big conflict include recognizing the signs of polarization, agitation and strong emotion before they get out of control; practicing ways of speaking, listening and asking questions that foster sincere curiosity; and avoiding the pattern of "attack and defend."

Joan Blades, a partner with the civil discourse organization Living Room Conversations, says people shouldn't completely avoid conversations with those who have a different opinion because debate is beneficial.

"When we fail to talk to people with different viewpoints, and just talk to people that think like us, we actually make our own viewpoints more extreme,” she states. “That's a disaster for having a successful democracy."

Parsa says arguing about viewpoints doesn't usually change anyone's mind, and offering more information about a topic doesn't persuade anyone because both sides usually have what they see as facts to support their arguments. She notes you can't have a full relationship with someone unless you can talk things out.

"When we reduce someone to their political positions, we're not able to see them fully, and we're losing out on the opportunity to relate around other things that are common concerns,” she stresses. “So, when we're seeing each other in stereotypes, we're putting ourselves in a box as well."




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