I am deeply chagrined.

Ah, some substance.  My original post acknowledged the existence here of strident voices on both sides of the political aisle.  You apparently see it as existing in significant numbers only on the liberal side. I disagree. 

I find there to be a wide diversity of viewpoints expressed here on a wide span of topics.  I also find that most of those expressing opinions on these topics do so civilly, and offer well-reasoned and well-intentioned comments .  I did acknowledge, however, that the minority of strident voices tends to drown out the many voices of reason (I should also state that many of us have our strident moments, myself included).  This is why I stated, at the end of that original post, that maybe we will have to throw the baby out with the bath water.  That would be unfortunate.

Perhaps part of the reason these minority of strident voices tends to draw the most attention is because it is human nature to be drawn to a proverbial train wreck.  Just a guess on my part.  I still believe the answer is more participation, not less.  Lately, we have had more (see, for example, the viewpoints in the Health Care thread).   

I do not believe that making polarizing statements decrying polarization helps the situation.           

Yea, sure she's a looney, but she's hot! This is what is truly important in a political context, let's not lose sight of this, we must get our priorities straight!

Yea, sure she's a looney, but she's hot! This is what is truly important in a political context, let's not lose sight of this, we must get our priorities straight!

Yea, sure she's a looney, but she's hot! This is what is truly important in a political context, let's not lose sight of this, we must get our priorities straight!

Bill Maher said that the Democrats have moved to the right and the Republicans have moved to a mental hospital.

Case in point.

In a fiery speech that had her conservative Colorado audience cheering, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann railed against the dangers of health care reform and other Democratic initiatives, warning the proposals "have the strength to destroy this country forever."

"This cannot pass," the Minnesota Republican told a crowd at a Denver gathering sponsored by the Independence Institute. "What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn't pass."

A cult complete with blood ritual.

 

I'll give Rep. Bachman a razor.

...did you eat today?...HA!...

they were both kidding with each other.

 smokinsean wrote:Hmmm. My take on her comment was that she was being kind in asking buzz why he was being so needlessly snide.  Blind men and elephants, ya know...

...no she just wants to be able to tell you to shut the fcuk up...

GET. OUT.
 
i had no idea.

...no she just wants to be able to tell you to shut the fcuk up...

lookin out for my welfare?

I think you should

as a matter of fact i ha...
 
 
NO! no i have not.
 
what's your point? 

Bill Maher said that the Democrats have moved to the right and the Republicans have moved to a mental hospital.

Case in point.

In a fiery speech that had her conservative Colorado audience cheering, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann railed against the dangers of health care reform and other Democratic initiatives, warning the proposals "have the strength to destroy this country forever."

"This cannot pass," the Minnesota Republican told a crowd at a Denver gathering sponsored by the Independence Institute. "What we have to do today is make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not pass. We will do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn't pass."

A cult complete with blood ritual.

have ya eaten ?

GET. OUT.

really?