a twelve foot alligator in my back yard. But IMO that alligator posed a threat to my family and in the red-necked area in which I live--I would more likely have been presented with a markmanship award.

You see Tom, you miss the point of liberalism. Without ascribed status, and religious conformity directing events (the ultimate conservative dogma) freedom allows individuality. And it is the individual that creates everything from change to art to commerce. When that individual acts in concert with other individuals it is an episodic event of some importance. Then that individual goes on to the next phenomenalogical event on an espisodic basis. What the conservative see as chaos amongst the liberals is an ongoing process of forming and then reforming coalitions. This allows me to be a gun toting, real estate involved, stock market fan---and still root for my Gators and be a liberal. It is the path of being free and not having to think or live in a box. It is the Tao of the Democratic party. Come along and sing the song.

Publius