Perhaps we can blame this loss of dignified and substantive debate on the imposition of TV in the fifties.
This question is perhaps also to be found at the heart of debates on euthanasia: in the search for a dignified death is outlined the dream of death mastered, formal, retaining a social, a shareable dimension.
In Africa, this is a dignified death.
After being sworn in, Ms. Gillard praised Mr. Rudd, who took a back seat on Thursday during a routine parliamentary debate, for his "remarkable and dignified" conduct.
Then, in their only televised debate, Mr. Reagan came across as dignified and informed, not the trigger-happy know-nothing Democrats had painted.
And the town of Jim Thorpe, which slowly rebuilt itself as a tourist center with perhaps a little nudge from the dignified memorial and mausoleum for its namesake, is debating how to proceed.
Adding his voice to the debate, another anti-apartheid stalwart, Pallo Jordan, called for "dignified and moral" leaders to be at the helm.
And ChicagoShovels.org offers no elegant computer solution to the age-old debate in this city: how to find a more dignified, efficient manner for claiming "dibs," the long-established practice of placing chairs, cones, boxes or other junk to reserve a cleared parking space.
"All along we believe that we have been respectful and dignified and had no wish to be involved in a public debate on the appointment of Gary's successor.
Her deep and dignified silences create a circle of awe around her even as people debate whether they signify subtle political calculation or sheer ignorance.
