Often those on the right like to point out when Dems harshly disparage or insult people like Senator Helms that so-called agents of tolerance aren't being very tolerant.

I've often thought about this charge, and I have to say that I don't buy it.

Indulge me for a moment: are the right-wingers who argue that the left is hypocritical because we don't suffer hatemongers like Helms actually arguing that as purported 'agents of tolerance,' we lefties should tolerate being insulted and denigrated not only for our beliefs, but in many cases for having been born at all?

Tolerance doesn't mean sainthood. It doesn't mean suffering the rantings and ravings of those who rile up people that would wish us harm.

And don't kid yourself, AJCalhoun. The people that lynched blacks in the South shared Jesse Helms' views on "negroes." The people that crucified Matthew Shepard on that fence in Wyoming shared Jesse Helms' views on "sodomites." And you can damn well bet that the people who shoot and kill abortion doctors feel the way Helms felt about "baby-killers."

So no, I'm not going to tolerate those who wish me and my kind harm.

And if you don't think that Helms and his kind DID wish me and my kind harm, you're wrong.

Tolerance is not a suicide pact.

"First, I'd just like to say I have admired you by way of your posts since I first found you here. I contiue to do so. Thanks for the intelligent and well-reasoned response. This is precisely what I was hoping for."

Wow. I am flattered, but if you have read my letters, then you know that praise of me isn't warranted... I am neither well-behaved or entirely reasonable. Thanks nonetheless.

As for your comments about use of the term "tolerance," I use it because conservatives do, usually accompanied by a smirk. It's standard practice on their part when they are faced with a liberal angry about some obscenity or another... they cock their heads and say "So much for being tolerant, huh?" It's how they try to defang us of of any justifiable rage we feel. Because, of course, rage is reserved for them only.

"When blacks develop a Super Ego then they can talk. When liberals mature a bit then they can talk. When women stop thinking through their vagina then they can talk. Until then, leave Jesse Helms alone." -turnip

So, AJCalhoun, the central question remains: How do you tolerate someone, like turnip here, who not only disparages and dismisses your beliefs, but disparages or dismisses YOU YOURSELF?

Truthfully, I don't know the answer to that question. But I do hold firm to one principle; reciprocity. Regardless of beliefs, I do try to hear out anyone who addresses me as a person and tries to listen to me, if not accommodate me.

I don't believe that Jesse Helms cared for reciprocity. I think he was one of many unreconstructed folks who was courteous and kind to those who looked like him, talked like him, and thought like him.

To anyone reading this, let me emphasize: civility is not about being kind to those who are like you... that's just tribalism. It's about being decent to those who are different than you.

I won't go into who or what I am, but I know if I was one of Jesse's constituents, those anecdotes about his approachability and courtesy wouldn't apply to me.

So I won't be extended any sympathy for him this evening. My regards to his family, however.

Sincerely,

Diomedes

"If you're saying that agents of violence, like the KKK, are spurred by mouthpieces of violence, like Helms, I agree."

Yes, absolutely. I am reminded of the central role the short-wave radio broadcasters in Rwanda played in coordinating and motivating the violence of the '94 Genocide.

Congrats man. Here's hoping fatherhood gives you even more material... as we all know it will.

Sincerely,

Diomedes

You seem to be saying that Jesse Jackson is probably feeling bad now because he's given ammunition to Fox News about Obama...

If I understand your view correctly, I disagree.

What Jackson said was that he accused Obama of putting black men down in an act of political opportunism, and that he was so mad, he wished he could rip a portion of Obama's anatomy off. Unquote.

KStone and other black apologists may decry the opinions of people like dataguyx, but the reality is that Obama won't get elected unless he's an "acceptable Negro" to white folks anyway. What, you think they're going to pull the lever for Bobby Seale? Get serious.

Jackson chastising Obama for calling on black males to take responsibility will be catnip for Fox viewers, and may even yield some more Obamacans. I say circulate that clip over and over, Fox News!

And KStone, you and yours need to look in the mirror. The undercurrent of what you're saying is that Obama needs to be an "acceptable Negro" to you too. Since he's running to be EVERYONE'S President, we are all going to need to make concessions.

Diomedes