And the (obligatory) gratuitous remark was designed to "bait" all conservatives. I've been known to do that. But the argument applies to all of us, at least me, too.

Tom isn't the only "True Believer", and I'm not sure if the first letters and his initials are fortunate or unfortunate.

His insistence that Republicans be insulated from disclosure of ineptness, malfeasance, misfeasance as "all politics" is an example of a True Believer. He believes the public doesn't need to know about Republican misdeeds because they may consider those in their voting.

When discussing a person such as Rice, he will trot out quote after quote about other people. Looks impressive, has nothing to do with the issue. Hardly grounds for rational discourse. I don't think he understands the importance of dealing with each issue, and truly believes it's rational to drag in the "Your mother wears army boots" stuff.

I'd only partly agree with your remarks about facts to back up arguments. He does have facts to back up some issues, and very often he has facts or quotes with very questionable relevance.

But, he's mostly enjoyable if one doesn't expect too much. Like a lot of the rest of us in that regard. He's told me to cool off a few times, and was usually absolutely correct, and I have to admit I've appreciated that. A little later.

Arf