I'll always be a Republican

Hello there rage! (2.00 / 14)

For me, I am  one of those left-leaning types. However when we first began discussing the ideals of the moose, while they included US local politics, it was more about progressivism. (Some of us have different local parties ya know : ) Or rather the TRUE progress of politics through ideas. To me it's less about 'party' and more about dogma.

Or as Christopher Hitchens says, "I have always found it quaint and rather touching that there is a movement [Libertarians] in the US that thinks Americans are not yet selfish enough."

This place, it's special.

"I spend my days and nights pondering the meaning of life, the state of the universe, and the Home Shopping Network." -- Donald Roller Wilson

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by: canadian gal @ Sun Jan 06, 2013 at 05:46:34 AM UTC

Always good to see your face, Rage. :~) (2.00 / 13)

It is quite a thing to say

There's still nowhere like the Moose on the internet.

but I fear it may be correct.

Do we really have to be so mean to each other? Are we really so bad with words?

I think not. Conversation is the root of civilization and we would not be here at all if we were not descended from billions of people who on average managed not to call each other jackasses unnecessarily. The blogosphere and on a broader stage modern media in total create platforms where often our worst characteristics flare out of control. We see this on both the aforementioned political blogs, and we see it play out on TV.

When people actually talk with each other - even when they energetically disagree - they usually find something to respect across the table. When they turn over the tables, hide behind them, and throw stones - they don't.

We have discussed Internet Anonymity here quite often. 'Media Anonymity' - or something akin - plays out in a certain way with our electronic press that also gives cover and distance while providing an immediacy that breaks the skin of civility.

There is more than using nicknames or not on blogs to this issue (FWIW, in my opinion nick's are OK as long as people don't start feeling immune to responsibility). Something has crept into the public discourse on television and bled down into the Intertoobs that makes people feel they can stand off far enough to lob semantic grenades they never ever would in person. This is the reason for the extreme partisan divide, not racism on the right or Evil Plans for world domination on the left.

I do not know what it will take to learn the civility in electronic media. But it is nice to see that it can be done once, because then it must be possible to do it elsewhere.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Jan 06, 2013 at 07:10:04 AM UTC

Hi Rage. (2.00 / 10)

Hi there! Nice to meet you.

I remember that it was Reagan who brought the American working poor the Earned Income Tax Credit. A terrific move.

It was Bush who elevated Sotomayor to the Second Circuit, bringing her to public view.

John Warner always has/had something interesting to say, as did Lugar. There's always room for dialogue.

Looking forward to your awesome posts.

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by: Lightbulb @ Sun Jan 06, 2013 at 14:13:16 PM UTC

I believe it was Jerry Ford, actually. That and his executive (2.00 / 3)

order against assassinating heads of state are a couple of the things I admire about him.

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by: Wee Mama @ Mon Jan 07, 2013 at 13:36:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good to see ya, bro... (2.00 / 9)

I hope you and your sweet wee (probably not so wee anymore!) gal are doing well.

We may not see eye to eye on a myriad of issues...however, we have ALWAYS been able to discuss them civilly. And that, after all, is what the Moose is all about.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

/grin

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by: Kysen @ Sun Jan 06, 2013 at 15:25:21 PM UTC

i'll second the interest in conversation. (2.00 / 3)

the vitriol we lefties (I confess) spew at the right can be cathartic in private but is rarely productive.  I'm as guilty as anyone with my HAHAHA posts over at the dailykos.  And I can't say I won't poke fun at certain GOP types when they do things I view as humorous.

Having grown up in TN and lived over half my life in red states, though, I know there are plenty of people of good will on the right.  I'd love to find some ways for people to work together... there are a lot of problems that need solving.

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by: bubbanomics @ Mon Jan 07, 2013 at 16:39:44 PM UTC