re: #285 Killgore Trout

That’s why I personally have backed off a bit. I’m not happy with a lot of what the Republicans are up to these days but I’m growing increasingly wary of the outrageous outrages, questionable stories and overblown rhetoric. I see a lot of fear and hate. Some of it justified but I get more cautious when I see people motivated by fear and hate. I think it’s fine to hate somebody like Rush but I don’t think he should be feared.
In regards to winning the culture wars: I’d like to see us end up with a culture where people speak freely, openly and outrageously. I don’t think that’s going to happen if either side “wins”.

Yay! Finally an area where we’re in agreement. ;)

Fear & hate is poisonous. I’m not sure how we go about dialing things back when the whole thing has been turned into a zero-sum game in which fellow Americans are seen as enemies instead of compatriots who simply have different opinions and with whom we can work to reach a satisfactory compromise for all.

Personally, I try not to participate in pile-ons of LGF members in good standing, because when I’m angry and screaming at someone I can’t hear what they’re trying to say and we’ll never find any common ground that way. There are days when I would like to, but I (mostly) resist. It’s not easy, because sometimes I have some really biting snark right on the tip of my tongue. I don’t resist the impulse becuase of any nobility of character mind you, I do it because I know I’ll be reminded of it later, heh. Lizards have elephant memories.

So anyway, while we can each do our part on a small, local level to dial things back, I think we still need our religious, political, and other leaders with national influence to stand up and speak out—loudly and firmly. Otherwise we’re going to fracture and implode. I don’t want that. I love us as we are/were. I don’t want to see other Americans as my enemy.