RateItAll: The Opinion Network

Some are. . .this is a tough business. . .

Mean spirited? I guess Cheney and Rummy are just some warm,fuzzy misunderstood teddy bears,huh? Not to mention Karl Rove,who'd probably sacrifice babies in a volcano to get his way.

Just as bad as the Republicans.

Vudija, I think coming up with such an anecdote would be your responsibility, not Flick's. UPDATE: Funny, mag, I didn't read the message you accorded Vudija in her post. But thanks for characterizing my brief post as an example of mindless political rancor. 2nd UPDATE: Here's what strikes me as funny. You're on a website where you are allowed (encouraged) to articulate your opinion. Vudija wants Flick, whose detailed research is second to none, to argue her point, too. If Flick peruses the liberal labyrinth of websites for anecdotes supporting Vu's viewpoint, is RIA, the website for opinionated people, really served? Does Vu's point become more convincing?Or do we have to re-name the slogan to the website where both sides are articulated by each person? Do I now have to provide equal and opposite anecdotes to those who hold opposite opinions from mine? No. Do your own research, post your own anecdotes, empirical facts, eyewitness accounts, 911 transcripts, etc. in support of your viewpoint, or don't. But don't expect me (or Flick) to do your heavy lifting for you. I didn't see Vu maintaining that there was validity in Flick's post. Only that he should post reports of crazy Bush fans out there somewhere, to show both sides, even though she hadn't taken the time to do that herself. Where did she acknowledge that there might be flaws on her side?

I find the stereotypical liberal (if such a thing exists) far less mean-spirited than the stereotpyical conservative (if such a thing exists). However, I'm not convinced that either of these things really exist. Case in point: is a conservative supposed to be in favor of big government or small governmnet? Who knows. Or on the other side, shouldn't a liberal be thrilled that Bush has appointed a Black woman as Secretary of State? You would think so, but I'm not hearing much praise. The point is, most ideological principles and stereotypes crumble in the name of partisan politics. Whatever works to put your team at the advantage is the ideology of the day. EO's comment is a perfect example - conservatives are supposed to one-sidedly bash liberals, and liberals are supposed to one sidedly bash conservatives. Foolish Vudija for pointing out that there might be flaws on both sides.

Teddy bear doesn't leap to mind, but they're FAR kinder than the grimy skinflints on the other side of the aisle. NO amount of branding make-overs can undo the regressive mantra. Kinder? Gentler? Better to be thrown from a donkey than to be stomped and squashed by an elephant.

Myth. Um, no. You want mean-spirited? Look at the neo-con cabal and their little shriveled verminous brain-dead minions. Ain't even close.

Saint Petersburg Times, Thursday, March 10, 2005. Page one. Actual transcript of 911 call: DISPATCH: 911, what's your emergency? VICTIM: Um, I was just almost run off the road by a man. He just ran me off because I have a Bush bumper sticker on my car. He had some type of - he drove up next to me with - he had a sign on it like hanging from his - from the passenger window that said something about the war in Iraq. I mean, I'm shaking like a leaf.....Oh, now he's following me. I'm going to get back on Kennedy (Blvd) now. I don't know what to do. DISPATCH: Where are you on Kennedy? VICTIM: Right now I'm on Kennedy and Arrawana. Look, he just pulled over next to me, he's stopping the....car, it's ridiculous, this man. Oh my goodness, he's a fanatic, he's in the middle of the street..... Now he's following me. He's trying to hurt us....Look at this, what a moron. Look at him.....idiot. DISPATCH: Is that him blowing his horn at you? VICTIM: No, I was blowing my horn at somebody 'cause I'm running stoplights and everything else to get away from him. Mean spirited a myth? Tell that to Michelle Fernandez and her children (10 year old son and 3 year old daughter) who were stalked and chased by Nathan Alan Winkler. Tampa Police spokesman Joe Durkin was quoted as saying I guess this was a disgruntled Democrat. Maybe he has that (anti war) sign with him so he's prepared any time he comes up against a Republican. Police spokesman Durkin went on to say This could have been tragic for her and her children and for other people on the road as this was going on. But she did the right things. She showed remarkable poise, she didn't engage him. She called us. Fernandez, who incidentally has been a registered Democrat since 1988 said I respect him for having his beliefs and feeling so strongly but here he is protesting the war and lost lives, and he's trying to put me and my children in danger? This man has some serious problems. Tell me again how open and diverse and tolerant the Democrats are............. better yet, tell it to Michelle Fernandez.