Skip to main content
Tags: Richard | Dreyfuss | politics | civility

Richard Dreyfuss: Political Differences Are Vital

By    |   Tuesday, 15 February 2011 06:13 PM EST

Civility breathes life into political discourse in a democracy, and differences of opinion should be celebrated, Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss tells Newsmax.TV. The star of such iconic films as “Jaws” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” as well as an acclaimed role as a music teacher in “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” has accepted another teaching part through his nonprofit organization, the Dreyfuss Initiative, to promote the teaching of civility and civics in schools.

Story continues below video.


“When you interrupt, you can’t know what the person’s thinking,” he said during an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington during the weekend. “When you yell and scream . . . and take things out of context, you are distorting the message.

“Civility is not just manners,” Dreyfuss said. “Civility is really the oxygen that we require if we live in a democracy. And so we have to share space with those with whom we disagree or else why are we calling it a republican democracy. And if we have to do it, then we should celebrate it and not be dragged kicking and screaming into it. We should celebrate the differences in our opinion and not endure them painfully. That’s not how it should be working.”

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


InsideCover
Civility breathes life into political discourse in a democracy, and differences of opinion should be celebrated, Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss tells Newsmax.TV. The star of such iconic films as Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, as well as an...
Richard,Dreyfuss,politics,civility
211
2011-13-15
Tuesday, 15 February 2011 06:13 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved