You can be a powerful, tenacious advocate for a political cause without acting like a jerk.

That was the theme of my recent Capital Chatter about the current state of political discourse. In response, I heard from scores of Oregonians – urban and rural residents, eastsiders and westsiders, Republicans and Democrats, politicians and everyday folks.

Some agreed; some disagreed.

Regardless of the readers’ viewpoint, I’m giving them the last word. Here is a representative sample of responses to the column, which was headlined, “A plea for kindness across the divide.”

A reader in Central Oregon wrote: “… I will hold your words in my heart when I am tempted to denigrate another ….”

A former legislator: “… It would be nice if people, especially legislators, would focus their comments on policy issues that they disagree or agree on rather than making it personal. But unfortunately, I’m not optimistic. …”

A Central Oregon resident: “So, if we see fascism, are we supposed to be kind to the fascists and just hope they will go away? Do you oppose resistance?”

Another reader: “Your plea for reasonableness and respect will fall on deaf ears. Coexist pleas always come from losers with an agenda. MARXISTs are not to be reasoned with; they will not stop. They think they will win the long game. They sneak around constantly undermining society with their demagogy. Many of us are wise to their [B.S.].”

A suburban Portland resident: “For those of us who can still remember a time when civil discourse and respect was the norm, it seems incredible that such an essay would ever be so necessary. …”

A North Coast resident: “… The call for decency is absolutely what is needed at this time in our history. It’s needed in Oregon, in our country and throughout the world. …”

A Central Coast resident: “… I, too, believe we need to move forward with respect and civility for others and their ideas or ideologies even if we deeply disagree with them. One of my largest frustrations for Oregon is the ‘supermajority.’ If we don’t even consider another’s point of view and believe that only one way of thinking is right all the time, I believe it dooms us to failure. …”

A reader: “…Yes, we needed the reminder, shame on all of us, to be civil, to ‘guard our tongues,’ to not call schoolyard names, etc.

“We are admonished to judge our brothers by the fruit they bear (Galatians 5:22-23), not to pick up any rotten fruit and throw it at them. We are to be lights reflecting our love for Jesus Christ, not torches to burn others by. …”

A longtime Oregon activist: “… We seem to be most unkind when we are afraid. What is lacking is a productive public dialogue about our fears and how we might address and perhaps reduce their impact on our thinking and behavior. The initiator of such a discussion must be prepared to be vilified. I hope some rational, compassionate people grounded in the principles of democracy will undertake the task.”

A Portland-area CEO: “… Inflammatory rhetoric is unacceptable. Conversation and compromise is essential. We CAN work together to improve our communities. A return to servant leadership is a fundamental cornerstone of progress. …”

A retired lawyer: “… While oversimplistic, I think it is mostly fair to lump people and their societal-scale words and actions, votes and economic choices – which may be the same as, or sometimes different than, how they treat family and close friends – into one of two categories.

“I agree that one can be characterized as trying to follow the Golden Rule. And perhaps the economically adjacent saying, ‘A rising tide floats all boats.’

“And the other is, as you say, ’All’s fair in love and war.’ Which I more often describe as ‘(I choose to believe as though) It’s a dog-eat-dog world’, or ‘I can win if only I can make you a loser,” or “Might makes right.” The underlying motives for this approach seem to be based on fear or greed or both. …”

And from another reader: “… Thank you for being willing to stand up in front of people and state what we need to do. I hope someone will listen.”

BIPARTISAN TALK: Braver Angels is among the organizations striving to bridge the partisan divide by bringing together conservatives and liberals for small group and individual discussions.

Braver Angels of Salem will host a coffee talk at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the IKE Box coffee shop, 299 Cottage St. NE, Salem 97301. A hot topic for discussion: “Is Congress necessary anymore?”

Other Braver Angels chapters – called “alliances” – are active in the Northwest Willamette Valley, Southern Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge. Local and state events are posted online.

Dick Hughes, who writes the weekly Capital Chatter column, has been covering the Oregon political scene since 1976. Contact him at TheHughesisms@Gmail.com, Facebook.com/Hughesisms, YouTube.com/DickHughes or Twitter.com/DickHughes.