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I too was raised by 2 dyed in the wool liberals. My first political activism: McGovern's presidential campaign (I was 7.) I have an uncle still in Canada from fleeing the Vietnam draft. Before my dad died this summer, I was actually at the table to hear him spout some of the most racists, sexists, anti-semitic(with my Jewish financee
AT the table) I have EVER heard. The confusion comes from being taught, by they same man, the values of compassion and tolerance. It is stunning. And sad. Beleive me, I know people change, but the shock is the stunning, sudden, turn around. This is the reason we reach for reasons, like talk radio. Luckily, my dad never became an RNC talking point (but then again, my family has a vague relation to Andy Card, so there was always someone else my dad could upset by objecting to the Rebublicans.)
The real point that Wil is trying to make, I think, is that political disagreements have always been part and parcle of family life (let's face it, as young adults many of us took the OPPOSITE postion from our parents to rebel.) The problem has is the way the discussions have become screaming matches.
I have VERY strong beliefs (pro-choice, pro-gay marriage rights,etc) and have no problem standing up for my beliefs, but when you are shouted down by the closed minded, you give up. These are your family memebers, after all. And as Wil said, when the people you love shout you down, it hurts on a personal level. When a loved one calls you a "femi-nazi", it hurts. I remember a time in this country when there could be serious politcal discussiosns (my grandparents were in favor of the Vietnam war, and they had a draft dodge in their midst) did not devolved to "you are ruining this country just by the way you think." Having a drink with a Republican friend was a regular occurance in the 80's, but we haven't spoken for years about politics, since she became a rabid RNC talker.
So much for all that "uniter, not divider" BS from Bush's campaign.
