I'm almost impressed.

"My Master of Arts is in Political Science, emphasis in Public Policy, with research done in eastern Ohio. If I've learned anything from wading through that moral and ethical swamp, its that things are never as simple as your 'basic political analysis'."

Then you clearly haven't learned anything from it. Do you honestly intend to imply that the race speech's addressing of Wright would have happened absent the media storm about Wright and its impact on Obama's poll ratings? Get a clue.

Here's a clue for you: it was likely a combination of political calculation and serious ideals that prompted him to speak when he did about what he did. The speech after all touched on the Wright controversy only briefly.

I've never disputed political calculation plays a part in the actions of either side. I merely believe it is not always the primary driver of what Obama, McCain and Clinton do.

"Little chance of that anyway; Hagee is a huckster and snake oil salesman. He has no record of either public service or charitable acts."

So the man's a bastard, demonstrably. Doesn't stop Wright being a scumbag.

Perhaps. Perhaps a few poorly chosen words don't negate a lifetime of service to one's community.

"Must've touched a nerve."

That's a cliche and a standard response for those with no repartee. Talk about not thinking.

If you say so. Personally, I think I just touched a nerve given how visceral your responses are getting.

"That's between you and the gods, friend. I'm sure the Obamas will have more important things to deal with after November."

I'm an atheist so it's really between me and me.

In anycase, according to his wife, you're wrong. The repair of the broken American soul is very high on the Obama's agenda.

Here's hoping. The last twenty-eight years haven't been easy on anyone.

"Perhaps. Perhaps a few poorly chosen words don't negate a lifetime of service to one's community."

See, I don't believe there's a good choice of words with which to express the idea that the US government invented AIDS to kill blacks. That's not a poor choice of words; it's a aberrant and deformed line of thought.

As is the thought that 9/11 attacks justify the invasion of Iraq, the Military Commissions Act, and every other idiot act the current Administration has committed. Yet there you go.

I won't try to excuse or justify that particular bit of conspiracy nonsense. Its a prevalent thought within parts of the electorate, so the most you can do is take it for what it is and work to change the dialogue to something more rational.

Then again, given the company McCain keeps and the worsening instability we're seeing these days, the whole "End Days" mythology Hagee and company preach may prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"If you say so. Personally, I think I just touched a nerve given how visceral your responses are getting."

I'm being gentle with you compared to what I've had to dish out to some of the lefties here when been accused of supporting baby rapes and a having a hard-on for war etc.

I'll consider myself fortunate then, although you may want to think of getting a ticker skin.

"Here's hoping. The last twenty-eight years haven't been easy on anyone."

You clearly weren't alive or aware during the Carter administration. That wasn't easy on anyone either.

Except I was, and in comparison to the nuclear panic Reagan caused and the decline of American political discourse and mores since then, the late 70s were positively calm and idyllic. But that's simply my view.

They need to take their medicine.

They should drink hemlock for the damage they've done.

That, or put in uniform and put on convoy duty out of Kuwait.

(on the collapse of the Mahdi ceasefire)

Fantastic! Now that we've gotten rid of that idiot Fallon, we can get down to business.

(and on potential conflict with Iran)

Even better! Petraeus is finally getting a chance to flush out the Augean stables. And that rinsed out crap is going to spray right into the faces of those carping about McCain's "mistatements" about Iran.

There you have it: unadorned joy at the prospect of yet another rise in sectarian violence in Iraq, and undisguised glee at increased tensions and potential conflict with Iran.

The celebration of war, death, possible genocide, and unending chaos.

I'm rather ashamed I have to admit this individual is the same species as myself, never mind that we likely share the same country of origin/residence.

Even this column with Glenns endless complaints about the right, all you're doing is playing into their hands. They don't care what you think and they're not shamed.

Perhaps and quite likely this is the case. Being salaried employees however they do care about their jobs.

So if, as happened with Sean Hannity recently, it was pointed out these people are friends and supporters of prominant America haters and asked if they agreed with their sentiments, what would happen?

In Hannity's case (if I read the story correctly), he stated he wasn't really 'friends' at all. This in turn lead to a very strong statement from his neo-nazi buddy who set the record straight and promised violence upon those who uses his name this way again.

My point is that there's a third option besides becoming like them or just ignoring them. Its precisely what Glenn did Sunday: broadcast how these idiots link themselves to their extremist supporters and make them defend themselves for a change.

In other words, hold them to the same 'standards' they hold everyone else and don't be shy about calling them on it. Ultimately, their audience (and supporters) will hopefully see them for the weasels they are and quit giving them airtime. An added benefit would be a loss in advertising revenue when said advertisers learn what kind of moral degenerates they're paying into.

Comments?