Respect begins by not calling each other "extremists." Sam Adams was vitriolic about the British but complimentary toward Hancock. That's why, to look at this week's hot Beltway-and-blog debate, Arlen Specter should not chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for vetting Supreme Court justices and other key appointees. His pledge to fight judicial "extremists" -- i.e. critics of Roe vs. Wade -- should take him out of the running.

 Specter is doing a little backpedaling now, but his rantings are on the record, and wise employers do not hire a person who growls during the interview. What will he be like once he's ensconced? Conservative opposition to Specter, though, needs a clear focus: The issue should be not membership, but leadership.

 In other words, conservatives should welcome Arlen Specter, liberal Republican. The GOP needs some of them for its Senate majority, just like the patriots in 1776 needed the radical Thomas Paine and Abraham Lincoln needed Thaddeus Stevens. Conservatives, though, should oppose Arlen Specter, prospective chairman.

 To ace the LAT, we need to understand the difference between welcoming members and voting in leaders. We should treat Specter respectfully but not enthrone him.