Beneath the blood and rubble of wars throughout history lies a common thread: a breakdown in communication. When people stop talking and listening, and instead try to bludgeon each other with their views, almost nothing good can follow.

Certainly, not all communication gaps lead to war, but they certainly foment greater division and reduce the room for understanding. That's something for our community, state and nation to consider as the issues dividing us grow more pronounced.

Americans always have and probably always will disagree over the best path to follow. The passion of our beliefs is part of what makes this nation great. But we owe our ability to remain united, even amid sharp discord, to the triumph of civility over anger.

Today, we hear less and less about civility amid a steady drumbeat from politicians, bloggers and the media about Americans' sense of anger and foot-stomping defiance. The Internet has fed the exchange of strong opinions, but it also has boosted the shrillness of public discourse.

It's time to ask ourselves: Is this really the best way to address our nation's problems?

Late last month, Republican members of Congress and President Barack Obama tried a different approach. They got together and held a conversation. There were sharp disagreements, but the face-to-face exchange was refreshing because it mitigated all of the distortions that occur when such disagreements are filtered through the political media. There were no major breakthroughs, but it was nonetheless a breakthrough event because it reminded Americans about the importance of civility.

Consider what saved Iraq from a disastrous civil war in 2007. Feuding Iraqi Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders took stock of their nation's rapid descent into chaos and decided there had to be a better way. They stepped back from the brink and now are learning, albeit with major hiccups, to resolve their political differences through dialogue and compromise. That's what civility is all about.

This week, Dallas became the launching point for a nationwide civility campaign spearheaded by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. "Civility is neither the lack of difference nor the squelching of debate" the group stated in a resolution. "It is the application of care for the dignity of every human being, even those with whom we may sharply disagree. It is listening carefully when others speak, not just to understand what they are saying and thinking, but to open ourselves to the possibility that they may have something to teach."

This is a challenge The Dallas Morning News embraces enthusiastically. The campaign has to start somewhere, so why not here?

There's always room for disagreement, even on the issue of civility. But the important thing is that we listen and keep the conversation flowing. It's OK to disagree, but ...

•Keep it mutually respectful.

•Reject demonization and defamation.

•Recognize the other side's valid points.

•Persuade with logic, not loud volume.