We bury the 41st President of the United States this week. Let us not also bury decency, dignity, and the concept of the greater good. Those are qualities that he espoused, and we are sorely lacking such in the racket of our current uncivil discourse.

I sometimes disagreed with Mr. Bush’s choices during his presidency. No matter; he set an example of service and citizenship. We can choose to re-shoulder that challenge of civil discourse—and by “civil” I don’t mean mere political correctness. I mean vigorous, robust, muscular discourse, with an eye to what is good in each other.

Take up that staff and start the climb.