Are we really in a new age of civility? Does one political party use more vicious attacks than the other? Is the term “terrorist” that much worse than the term “hostage taker?” These were some of the questions posed in a Fox News panel on political name calling this afternoon and, while I’m not sure any of them were actually answered, credit should be given to frequent sparring partners Christopher Hahn and Chris Plante who got through a whole round of bickering without calling each other any names themselves.

Democratic Congressman and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Emanuel Cleaver appeared on Morning Joe and continued talk of how the debt deal was a “Satan Sandwich.” Although since Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski found the description humorous, Cleaver took a light-hearted moment to explain the ingredients of the sandwich, while adding that it will be served with a “demon drink.”

Liberal columnist for The New York Times and persistent critic of President Obama, Paul Krugman, liked the passion he saw in Obama last week on the deficit battle and wants the rhetoric flame turned up even higher. In a column titled “Let’s Not Be Civil,” Krugman unapologetically lays out the case why Obama should not seek consensus with Republicans and should instead vigorously defend his vision for America while attacking the Republican proposal without restraint.

Former cable television time slot rivals Larry King and Sean Hannity met last tonight on Fox News and the big revelation was just how great the relationship is between the two of them. Hannity praised King for his “profound impact” on culture and the political debate, while King looked forward to having Hannity in the audience for his touring comedy show.

Arizona is considering recognizing an “official state gun” nearly two months after one of their Congresspeople was shot, while in Georgia, another Congressman seems comfortable being asked “who is going to shoot Obama?” Lawrence O’Donnell recalls a time long ago when Republicans would have found this behavior unacceptable and, concerned, asked Princeton professor Melissa Harris Perry to explain the change in the GOP between 2008 and today. She had a simple answer: “There are no adults in the room anymore.”

Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat, and Michael McCaul, a Republican, together encouraged all attendees of tonight’s State of the Union address to wear black and white lapel ribbons in honor of the Arizona shooting. Such a symbolic attempt at civility predictably did not make Rush Limbaugh happy.

After briefly discussing Keith Olbermann’s fate with Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher closed out Real Time by donning his contrarian cap and taking on the issue of civility in political discourse. Some, like President Barack Obama, want more of it. Maher wants less. Why? Well, as Maher sees it, “civility” and ‘finding common ground” really only benefits Republicans.

Taking on his most extreme critics directly, President Obama spoke both of the need for increased civility in today’s political discourse and called out the “birther movement” (in the most civil of ways.) In an appearance during the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama reiterated a narrative he started last Friday when he held a Q&A with House Republicans last Friday – adding that civility is not a sign of weakness. Video after the jump

Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, had on the former anchor of NBC Nightly News Tom Brokaw, as his guest last night. While the two were discussing the highs and lows of the previous decade, Colbert shared his opinion on the both the current state of civility in public discourse, and what those who disagree with him can do with his “man-sack”.