My turn

Thanks for posting on my blog. I read your essay, and I'm not going to respond to every point you raised, because it would take too long (that's a LONG essay) and much of it is stuff you and I have gone around and around on before. There's only so much rehashing one can do.

Instead, I'll cut to what I perceive as the heart of the matter.

You raised 9/11 again as the altar at which all else must bow. I'm sorry, I don't agree. Yes, 3000 people were killed, and that's quite a tragedy. But there are 300 million people in this country, and some things are simply bigger than a bunch of Islamic fanatics running around raising some he11.

Back on my blog, Philosophocon raised the example of Canada as what may happen if this country doesn't change course, and I think that was a good one. Do you want to live in a great, big Canada? If so, so be it; but I don't.

As to the examples of politics in the workplace or family or whatever: I'm not sure what you're getting at. Why would people be discussing politics in the workplace? I have made decisions on friendships and family relationships based on politics, though. No doubt about it. But you're confusing the micro and the macro, and I don't see the relevance. But to use an exemplary answer: re the aunt and gun control. My daughter could make nice all she wants. That's her decision. However, if the aunt launched into some anti-gun tirade in front of me, then I would take the floor and take her on. My daughter may have to make nice to avoid family discord; I don't. Again, though, I fail to see the relevance. There's a time and place to discuss politics -- like most subjects -- and it's not ubiquitous.

Sanity, you again explained where we are in America today, using great examples.

Brian, we will definitely live in a great big Canada when Hillary or Obama wins and we have Dems in control of everything.

Then you can stand in the new Canada and say over and over...."We sure taught the Republicans a lesson!"

so I may have to go into detail later.

I'm really beginning to wonder...just who are you absolutist. At this point, I agree with you...there seems to be little difference between Liberals and people like you who claim to be conservatives but bash the conservative party. (I know it's called "disagreement" aka spinning, which is another thing Liberals do well or at least try to.)

JUST 3000 died? The Islamic war is JUST a diversion? Job Protection? Blame game?

They say that if you wait long enough, the con eventually unravels. And Brian, the message may be different but the technique sounds eerily familiar.

As for your taking the aunt down...would you? Even if it hurt your daughter and risked her relationship with her future in-laws when she has to keep "apologizing" for her daddy?

The point is that even principles can have price tags too big to pay.

No one should be required to fight on every hill; one can choose and frequently we do, which hill to die on.

I brought up your daughter to help you to comprehend that when you ask "conservatives" to choose between all or nothing, choosing to pass is ALSO a legitimate option.

I choose to NOT risk those tax cuts, the courts, and the war on a problem that has been around for decades.

I choose to not waste my time on efforts that will yield little more than frustration.

And Brian, when I do fight, it is to win. That means KNOWING the opposition and knowing the odds.

Something your side has failed to do--which is why you will always be wishing for that Conservative Utopia instead of working your tail off to attain it.

We will also have a great big Canada if the best the Repubs put up is the likes of McCain and Giuliani. There's no philosophical difference -- particularly re Giuliani and Hillary -- at all. They are Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dumber.

To me it's glaringly obvious; I'm always amazed that others don't get it.

As to the aunt: Yep. People know me, and know I'm a political animal. If, knowing that, someone still has the wish to broach the subject, then they're fair game. The chips can fall where they may.

You say principles can have price tags too high to pay? Interesting. In 1969 I volunteered for the Army, and after AIT volunteered for Vietnam. I did it on principle. I guess I haven't seen that price tag yet.

And OF COURSE people can choose to do what they wish. That's the absolute essence of our society, at least for now. Though that is already changing. Note that they can no longer "choose" to publish candidate-specific political ads within 60 days of an election.

I am proposing another choice; I can't hold anyone at gunpoint and force them to vote my way. But I can -- and do -- give them aspects to consider that may not have crossed their minds before, especially as the two major parties continue to blur any lines of philosophical distinction.

I'm sorry I no longer believe you. Read my latest post on why.

I've come to an unsavory conclusion that people like Brian aren't Conservatives.

Read my new post for my reasons why.

I spent many years "discussing" issues with one of my Liberal colleagues. I KNEW I recognized the stench of duplicity when these so called conservatives claim to love this nation but continue to do everything in their power to demoralize the only party that has the ability to keep the Dems from destroying her.

Sandra, for all their faults, at least Liberals are honest in their hatred for Bush, the GOP and America.

I'M not conservative?!?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

You are a NUTJOB, bud!

I've been called many things in my life, but LIBERAL sure as he11 isn't one of them.

Dude, you just lost every shred of your credibility with me.

Don't even bother responding. I won't be coming back.

another thing Libs do.

Brian, it isn't I who has lost credibility. It's you.