What does it accomplish? The country is split down the middle, with people in government, the press, universities, business, people that matter, who are in a position to be heard and reputations that give weight to their words, all debating. What does it get us? We're just a bunch of internet addicts who've never met and wouldn't recognize each other on the street if we did. People who matter should debate. We don't count. And we should stop pretending talking about freedom is the same thing as fighting for freedom. Like Robert once said, we "ain't fit to lick the horse shit off the Founders' boots".

Oh sure, we have to discuss and exchange ideas, stake out positions and fight for them. Its our right and obligation as citizens, and sometimes we do it just for fun, too. But all the time? Constantly? To the exclusion of everything else? That's not political debate, that's old white guys showing off how much they know and how well they can use the language. Its all about ego, or a search for selfvalidation (or justification). Nothing is going to be settled here, we're just apes baring our buttocks at each other. Its pretty basic hominid behavior. we can debate to get our ideas communicated, but it will not change anything or move anybody.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not promoting apathy, I'm just saying that the cat fights we have here are not how policy is influenced, or how to save the world. And when we stop talking about everything else just to continue this pointless conflict, its just a waste of time and effort. And it cuts into the time we could spend talking and learning about other things. We're not going to get anyone to change his mind about politics any more than we're going to get them to change their mind about religion, or art, or bigfoot.

I apologize, sometimes I get carried away, but its not because I want people to accept my views, but because some people believe they have the right to impose theirs on me--in fact, on everyone within earshot. Once somebody convinces me they are a Christian fundamentalist, and neither of us can convince the other of the correctness or idiocy of the other's opinions, its time to talk about something else.

Arguing is work, especially if you are going to do it right and do research, and put together reasoned arguments. And it takes too much out of you. That is work, and I'm retired. I don't need to do it for pay, I don't do it for fun, and I sure as hell have no intention of doing it for nothing.

I've linked to this before, but here it is again just in case you didn't listen to the words.

Boring old man

"I believe I've passed the age of consciousness and righteous rage
I found that just surviving was a noble fight.
I once believed in causes too, I had my pointless point of view,
Life went on no matter who was wrong or right."

And now that you've had your meat,
you can have your pudding

Truth