Good evening everyone. One of the some people are still coming on but it is time to get on with it. I am david welch the inaugural director of the body civil filled institute for civil political communications. As Sheppard University. Unwelcome [applause]. Welcome to our first installment of the american conversations series public forum. An evening with donna brazil and mercedes lap in the state of political discourse in todays america. Moderated by sheppard universi university, mary hendrix. Throughout the academic year, there will be several more forum so please go to Facebook Page and website updates. The mission of the institute is to study and promote how intelligent authentic and civil political discourse can play an essential role in our nation his ability to better meet challenges and solve problems and to offer a platform on how opposite viewpoints and be respected and legitimized in ways that avoid negative labeling and alienation. Moreover, we see to demonstrate the civil P