>Hi Tamar,
>
>>And even if you're joking, John, this is the kind of comment that attacks the patriotism of liberals. Because we suggest that things aren't as they should be, we're told that we're un-American.
>
>What is it with liberals stridently defending their patriotism all over the place, even when not attacked? To me, it indicates a deep-rooted insecurity on the validity of their positions ... but I could be wrong.
>
>Liberalism, in small doses, is a good thing. I think Churchill was right when he said that liberals are the heart of a nation while conservatives are the brains.
>
>Frankly, I don't want a liberal President because liberals have no guts. The world is not a touchy-feely place and I don't believe our interests are best served by preachy whiners in ultimate power.
>
>It's funny when you look at history - it was Republicans who freed the slaves, who championed civil rights, and sparked most of the anti-trust and conservation legislation that we have now. Now it's the liberal Democrats who claim heir to these things; I guess it's because it's now politically safe and expedient.
>
>It's not that I dislike liberals; it's just that collectively they have nothing to show for me to respect. Not one thing that wasn't someone else's idea.

One idea I like is viewing people as individuals who have thoughts more complex, and sometimes contradictory, than can be described by easy labels. It's easy to put people in boxes but it seldom enhances understanding. I see you as more willing to discuss opposing ideas than some others here are, so I guess this was kind of a disappointing post for me.