OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVES

Minnesota could teach the rest of the world lessons on civility.

Just a couple of weeks ago, following the tragedy that unfolded in this state, this newspaper’s editorial talked about the importance of turning the temperature down on political discussions.

Then I went to Vegas for my 30th birthday a few days later and was absolutely shocked by how much political discussion was going on in a place where people travel to get away from life stresses for a couple of days. 

After catching a flight to Chicago, then to Vegas, we got settled into our hotel a little after 1 a.m., so my wife and I decided to take a walk and find a quick place to eat.

Along the way she spotted a bar (shocker in Vegas), so we stopped.

Not even five minutes into ordering and having our first drink of vacation, we made conversation with some folks from California who let us know that the bartender was handing out stickers.

It turns out they were extremely political, and as a journalist, I refrain from all of it.

The next morning, we got an Uber to go somewhere fun, and bright-eyed from the Vegas lights, we make small talk with the driver.

Keep in mind this is about a 10-minute drive. We found out he’s from New England like myself, and we told him we live in Minnesota, the chitchat you make to avoid the awkward silence in an Uber ride.

Well things turned south when he started in on a particular politician he didn’t like, along with a subset of people he hoped would stay away from his kids.

I couldn’t believe this. The place we were going to, along with the fact that we were on vacation in Vegas, should’ve been a clear indication that we weren’t interested in having a political discussion.

We awkwardly waited to get dropped off, after being completely mortified.

A few days later, we noticed heightened political tensions from time to time, but then it was Saturday night going into Sunday. I turned 30, so my wife and I found ourselves in a karaoke bar around two or three in the morning having a blast.

Then I looked up and saw someone running around the bar with a sign F*****, and I will let you guess what politician they were referring to.

Again, I was absolutely stunned by how much polarizing politics were going on in a place known for partying.

Keep in mind, I had just written stories about Minnesota Republicans and Democrats alike calling for political civility and agreeing our differences shouldn’t tear us apart as humans.

But maybe it made sense. 

There’s no doubt we live in polarizing times, and while we can only hope everyone around the world paid attention to what happened here, and reflected, it’s not realistic.

We all live in our own bubbles, and quite frankly, the people I discussed in this column may not have even heard about the assassinations and assassination attempts.

Whether Democrat or Republican, whether you voted for Trump or protested in the streets after he won, Minnesota has a chance to show the rest of the world how important it is to turn down the temperature on political discourse and come to common ground.

Based on what I saw during my four days in Vegas, it’s pivotal.