[LearsFool]

In Carnage and Culture, he argues that Western civilization successfully spread because westerners were superior killers.

True. And I'm somewhat inclined to disagree with Hanson and agree with you.

However, Wellington argued that "the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." In other words, it takes more than superior skill (at war, etc.) to win.

Part of what has made the West superior killers is our ability to maintain order in battle. Uncivility and outbursts have their place, of course. But when they become the rule rather than the exception, our battle lines - political, social, military, what-have-you - become weakened and vulnerable.

[Madame Dufarge]

But when they become the rule rather than the exception, our battle lines - political, social, military, what-have-you - become weakened and vulnerable.

I agree wholeheartedly.

And, as you've observed, outbursts do have their place.

In these perilous times, with so much at stake, I would argue that Wilson's outburst is civility.

If the President of the United States has so little respect for the truth and for the future of the country he has been given stewardship of, then it is he who's abandoned civility.