my connection with the tea party

[kandrathe]

You feel insulted by this? That's unfortunate, but frankly, eurotrash and idiots like me really think it's funny

I'm not personally insulted. I just find video's like that insulting, and low brow/crude [not] humor. It's just more poison for the toxic pool of public debate. Saul Alinsky, Rule 5 : "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage."

I don't call people names. I teach my children not to call people names, give people the benefit of doubt, and not to make assumptions about them without knowing them or more about their situation.

Someday, if I'm motivated enough, I'd like to write a book about "tribalism" where we humans seem to have a genetic trait for needing to differentiate ourselves from other groups of humans, and then engage in warfare with them. The genesis of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence on our planet is to choose to be tolerant and look beyond peoples differences, to accept that they can and will be different than you, and it's ok.

For example, some of my best, and life long friends are extremely leftist and radical (also weird ). You see, during HS and College, I was a thespian and participated actively in local theater and dance. One of my friends has been on the FBI's dangerous list since high school (30 years), where he engaged in political activism. We disagree on many things, but share much in common, and it's nice sometimes to have a friendly disagreement.