Indeed, it's possible for people on either side of the argument - in Israel - to debate this issue intelligently, without one party accusing the other that they're anti-Semitic, or attempting to destroy Israel. That's true for simple, self-explanatory reasons. However, this is America, and that can't happen.

We like to point to the Fox News us vs. them, you-agree-with-us-or-you-hate-our-common-nation mentality and call it idiocy - which it is. Sadly, many of the people who realize the lunacy of that argument, when propagated by Fox News specifically will engage in the self-same logic when the topic of Israel comes up. I didn't have to read more than the first couple of sentences before I knew that the letters would be filled with vitriol accusing Kamiya of everything from being an anti-Semite to the notion that he actively craves the destruction of everyone and everything in Israel and its conversion into a terrorist training ground.

Why? Quite simply because Americans can. This whole 'support the murder of any and all Palestinians that Israel's government deems necessary (or just desirable) or you're anti-Semitic' argument actually holds water here. Like it or not, it's not just Fox News - we're a nation that loves to accuse each other of every shade of villany possible over any difference in opinion. No doubt I'll be accused of being anti-Semitic as well, but since I can't possibly do anything to deflect that (aside from changing my opinion completely - which is the entire purpose of the tar-and-feathering, and which I simply refuse to give in to) then I just have to disregard the opinions of those who do so and seek conversation with those who can debate without resorting to a simplistic ad hominem argument ("You disagree with me, so you're anti-Semitic, and since you're anti-Semitic, you can't have a valid argument"). No big loss, really.

But as long as that mentality is encouraged by people on ALL sides of just about every argument in American public discourse (and it is, in gay marriage, abortion, Israel, the War on Terror, stem-cell research, and so on and so on) we'll never, as a nation, be able to come to a rational conclusion about anything. I know it won't make a difference, but I'd simply be remiss not to point it out - if you reading this, if you find yourself succumbing to that "agree with me or be called this epithet that then renders your opinions not only irrelevant, but actively malicious" mindset then you're helping to destroy this country just as much as Fox News is.

So . . . you know. Have fun with that.

Ignoring the chiding, wheedling and cajoling that I know MUST comprise the majority of the 580 letters of this thread (as people think of it not just as a way to convince one writer of who she should choose, but EVERY undecided voter who happens to read their letter) I have something to say.

The first time that I read anything of Rebecca Traister's it was some male-bashing in Broadsheet - the one place you'll find sexist ranting in Salon on a daily basis, aside from in the 'letters' of any given article. I read it, her name stuck (it's rather close to my last name, so it wasn't challenging) and for a long time, I just avoided anything with her byline.

MY LOSS.

In the past few months, I guess that first article slipped my mind and I found myself reading and thoroughly enjoying her articles. As long as men whose opinions diverge from hers aren't the topic of the day, I have to say that I firmly believe she's one of the finest, most entertaining, and in her way, one of the more incisive writers that Salon has.

Keep up the excellent work.

"The women's movement is about free choice, self-determination and challenging a status quo that fails a lot of Americans, not just women. And it is not about going along. It's about transcending, about having the freedom to follow one's heart, about creating and pursuing new opportunities, and about the American dream being for all Americans."

Brilliant.

Sadly, you're already dealing with at least dozens of people (if not more) who're vilifying you for utilizing that self-determination in a way of which they don't approve. The tragedy of it all is that the fight for free choice and self-determination must ALSO give those things to people who'll then turn around and attack you if you don't give those things up willingly to support them or their causes.