'Bl-- me': City leaders get vulgar at meeting

(SUN-SENTINEL) — “Bug off.” “Blow me.”

That’s how some city officials talk to each other — and to you — at their meetings.

The dismal state of civil discourse is distracting and detracts from conducting regular city business, say residents and politicians alike.

Conflicts and politics have always gone hand-in-hand, but overall there is “less collegiality in government” today, said Casey Klofstad, political science professor at the University of Miami. Increased communication through technology “lowers the decency filter.”

“Nothing is private,” said Klofstad. “We find the political conflict that goes on distasteful … It’s always been there, now it’s something we see more of with technology.”