Be nice. It seems like an easy concept, but apparently it takes a great effort for some people to put it into practice.

So we had an idea: to establish and observe Be Nice Day. And we looked it up first, to be sure that the idea is not already taken.

It is. This year, National Be Nice Day falls on Oct. 5. It’s also known as National Do Something Nice Day. It’s not to be confused with National Say Something Nice Day (June 1).

Apparently some people who came before us were also appalled at the lack of good manners being exhibited so flagrantly on the national stage, where being “nice” to an opponent may be considered caving in. Bad behavior is creeping down the line and spreading out (“trickling down”) to the ranks of everyday people like us.

We don’t expect much change on Oct. 5. However, be Nice Day is worth observing.  It’s a nice idea. ...