if they don't get their way they pitch a fit, not only do they do it here in the zone, they do it in the halls of congress. and anyone that doesn't follow their party line to the letter is demonized. if you're not one of them and agree with them in every detail, you are a communist. they recognize no middle ground, they tolerate no moderation, especially among their own. it's (dare i say it?) "their way or the highway".

they are aping 60s radical tactics, except they are not impetuous adolescents or activist would-be revolutionaries, but white haired congressmen and middle class pillars of the community. this article analyzes the phenomenon nicely, pointing out outbursts in congress, homophobic and racial slurs on the capitol steps, and just general bad manners all around. moderate Republicans are scared. the skinhead rotarian is the new face of the gop.

"Baby killer" shouter steps forward, highlights internal GOP dilemma" (Yahoo News) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1298

"But one prominent conservative commentator—former Bush speechwriter David Frum—argues that last night's vote was an enormous political reversal for Republicans. Saying that the Republicans went for "all the marbles" by unanimously opposing the bill and refusing to compromise in any way—fueling activist fury at the same time—he writes:

" 'So today's defeat for free-market economics and Republican values is a huge win for the conservative entertainment industry. Their listeners and viewers will now be even more enraged, even more frustrated, even more disappointed in everybody except the responsibility-free talkers on television and radio. For them, it's mission accomplished. For the cause they purport to represent, it's Waterloo all right: ours.' "

"In many ways, the dilemma faced by modern Republicans is similar to the one Democrats faced in the '60s and '70s with the Vietnam-era anti-war movement. While the confrontation-minded (and media-friendly) activists garnered headlines and caused widespread disruption, the Democrats succumbed to damaging leadership divisions on the war—and in the process, allowed Republicans to tag them with sinister hippie and New Left leanings ever since. The challenge for Republicans going forward is to avoid the same undertow from their activist base—to establish majorities in Washington and not let the unsavory aspects of the fringe haunt them for decades to come."

but the leftist fringe of the 60s either outgrew their radicalism, or slid off into a leftist loony land no one could take very seriously. i fear loony land is where the republican party is going to wind up.

good luck, mcfly, and you too, buck. i think its time for me to take another break, you americans need to settle this amongst yourselves.