Originally Posted by ijusluvit

The current thread, "The Democrat (liberal) has a problem" initiated by Cashman, is the best recent example of what is wrong with the TOTV political forum. It is a another collection of very extreme, vast generalizations which don't deserve careful refutation, but do serve one important negative purpose. They encourage a small group of conservatives to again engage in personal attacks on anyone who does not share their exact beliefs. "Twisted", "crazy", suffering from "mental disorder", "from another planet", "nuts", "opposed to everything this country stands for" are some of the words this group uses to describe other people. I could wait a little longer for the other like minded folks, (bkcunningham excepted), to weigh in on Cashman's comments, but I'll respond now and hope for the best.

This attack response to "liberals" on TOTV is so commonplace that it is almost completely accepted. The Talk Hosts made the political thread 'by membership only' because of the nasty personal attacks - not monopolized by conservatives I might add. And of course, all of this is ok because we live where our freedom of speech is cherished.

Freedom of speech does not make this right. Name calling and personal attacks have always been the favorite tactic of fascists, intimidating some and wearing others down. Those who remain are attacked more directly and viciously. It's not about who or what is right, but who hollers, schemes and demands who gets the prize; power. At present, conservatives are not in power, so some will resort to anything which will restore their representatives to power. It isn't about the facts, or what might be beneficial now or in the future. Stimulus programs, functioning auto companies, health care reform, consumer credit reform, Supreme Court nominees, the DISCLOSE Act, banking and finance regulations, a 20 billion dollar insurance policy from BP - EVERYTHING is simply declared wrong, wrong, wrong!

What is right is in between the extremes, and often not fully known even with the best available intelligence. Refraining from total obstructionism and all-out attacks on others makes it possible to find better answers through pooled ideas and resources. Just a little example - what could we have done with the money and staff resources devoted to trying to stop all of the above listed things!

TV is a most amazing place. A treasure trove of minds with time to reflect and the experience to make sense of what is happening, and maybe even help build a better future. We should be well past advocating total extremism and there should be no need for name-calling, and personal attacks.