Like - sorry - I guess I wasn't finished - like in the link Jodi posted above - that woman ranting on TV about Anti-Americans in Congress?

The host of that show needed to shake his head in disgust, look at the camera and appologise to his audience.  You know?  We get into a national uproar because Janet Jackson kind of shows a half-second of titty, but people can rant this sort of stuff and we go "fair enough!" 

I'm not suggesting any sort of speach-controll or PC crap - I hate that, and I think that's pretty un-American - but we as a whole should be smart enough, mature enough to hear that sort of rant and know what it is and react accordingly.  That woman was in Congress for chrissake.  What she said?  She may as well have shown up on the show drunk, wearing a mask crudely hewn from human flesh.  It's an example of a person at their worst. 

Yep, it's a real shame how those awful, evil Republicans want to paint their opponents with broad brush. Demonizing entire groups of people is wrong and it's a real shame the Republicans do this. Why, the Republicans want you to believe that entire groups of people are bad. It just goes to show you how evil Republicans truly are.

Yep, it's a real shame how those awful, evil Republicans want to paint their opponents with broad brush. Demonizing entire groups of people is wrong and it's a real shame the Republicans do this. Why, the Republicans want you to believe that entire group of people are bad. It just goes to show you how evil Republicans truly are.

Bruce well said.  I know your comment was not directed toward Mike, but to I think Mark's comment.  I can't speak for Mark, I don't know him.  But knowing Mike, and trying to clarify for him (as presumptuous as I think that may be) I don't think for a minute he was advocating correcting those "evil republicans" and therefore ignoring issues which liberals and conservatives disagree about -- but I think he meant (and what I agreed with) was the idea that a discourse can be civil.  That being from New York City and being liberal makes you no less american than being from Wassila and being conservative.  Honoring rural (or small town) America does not have to be at the expense of urban America.  Palin's pro-america comments (quoted by Tom above) doesn't advance the discourse -- it villifies a significant portion of the United States.  And I think thats what Mike was talking about. 

Of course, its a two way street.  Part of the challenge of wanting to engage in a discussion is being willing to disagree with someone respectully without challenging their patriotism, love or country or intelligence.  I don't think people that supported the Bush wire tap program, for example, don't care for liberty -- I think they are placing a premium on security.  Opponents, such as myself, also value security -- but not at the expense of what I think our constitution means.  The discussion means not villafying the otherside for their views.  Something I think we all can be guilty of, on either side of the polticial spectrum. 

Edited to add: Bruce of course made my point before I posted -- and more eloquently too I might add!

Has this video on Obama been brought up?  It looks like it's been around for a while. (A Portrait of Obama)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iutTbNABZ-U

Bruce and Geoff - that's what I was aiming at, yes, thanks.

And I'm just as guilty as the rest - I got my rep as a "filthy degenerate" for making gags about fly-over states, so I'm well aware that I need to watch what I say - I'm a perfect example of it - I wasn't censored, I was put to shame.  I was called on what I said, and while I disagree with the context of what I was called on, I do get the message.  And I try (not always succeed) to be careful about it.

Having said that, I realized as I was driving to work today that there's a potential bad point in my arguement - I'm complaining about people saying things are un-American, yet I say it's un-American to make such charges...  I hope that's not misunderstood or that I'm coming off as a hypocrite.  I think there's a subtlety to this that I hope was understood.  If not, let me know, and I'll attempt to clarify.

If I offended you Craig, I'm sorry. That wasn't my intent. But drivel like this is the reason that America is in the state it is. Both parties are guilty of this shit and I'm sick of it. Hell, I'm guilty of it myself sometimes. The video you posted was produced by Illuminati Pictures. A conservative Christian group who's aim is to keep a conservative Christian in the White House.

I wouldn't care if most of their "facts" actually were.