It has been a while since I posted just an editorial piece, but here goes.


Today is the culmination of a campaign that, for all intents and purposes, began shortly after the 2000 elections. During the past four years, it has become rather evident that the nation has all but given up on civility in politics and has instead taken a road of extremism, disrespect, fear, and at times hatred. Neither party, nor their support, is more to blame than the other, but rather they share the blame. The media has also contributed to this volatile atmosphere of character assassination and hype. Again, this goes for both liberals and conservatives. I myself contributed to this atmosphere in a my own small way on this board. Up to about a week ago, I posted rather inflammatory pictures of the president on this website. I stopped. I found that this is in no way a means to spread my opinion and beliefs to others, but rather a way to increase division and hard feelings. Of course, I have and will continue to post images and notes on the issues, but character assassination is a poor and tasteless tactic that I am ashamed to have been a part of. I was caught up in it and I have no excuse.

What I ask of you guys on here is simple: show respect. I, and several others on here, disagree with President Bush on many issues. But that does not take away the fact that he is still the president, and we should respect that and the office itself. It was very evident, after last night, that the majority of the nation supports the president and his policies. We, as liberals, would be remissed if we did not take notice and listen to what and whom America believes in. We would simply be close-minded and placing our heads in the sand if we ignore what has transpired this past election. The president is a smart and genuine man who has very strong beliefs. That is admirable and we should recognize that and respect his person and his office. We can, and should, disagree with the issues he supports when they do not coincide with our own strong beliefs. But we need to do this in a manner becoming of intelligent and cooperative people. We need to focus on the issues and look for areas of compromise. If we once again fall into the failed policy of character assassination and stubborness, we will only continue to fail to get our message acrossed to both conservatives and the American people as a whole.

There is only one civil way to make our point and change minds, and that is to do so with a an open mind and with the spirit of cooperation.

So we, the people, and our congressmen and women who are liberal need to listen, learn, and seek cooperation with the conservatives while at the same time discussing our side of the story and getting our points acrossed in a clear, concise, and intelligent manner.

Lets stop all of the pissing matches and personal attacks on people who do not agree with our views. Learn to discuss things with them and find out why. There is always a good chance that BOTH sides may be right when all of the political smoke and mirrors are stripped away.

Research and support your beliefs
Learn to discuss your beliefs in an intelligent and open-minded manner
Listen to the other side
Find the common ground


Thanks for reading and I hope this helps the forum!

Well said. There's a lot to be taken from this thread, not only in terms of posting threads here, but how we interact with others on a daily basis.

Nice post, but what a lot of us fear is that this part of it:

Isn't exactly what the administration or their supporters have in mind.



I'm the biggest advocate of understanding over convincing that you'll find on RM. You're not going to flip a conservative over to the Green Party based on a taunt, some trite information about Ohio elections, or anything else for that matter.

Understanding, not shoving opinion down throats.

Not all republicans are conservative, not all democrats are liberal.
Whats so hard to you people about a Republican that is liberal.

Thank you tsunami ...... very very well said.

Very nice post. I can't say I totally agree, but the sentiment is in the right place.

I'm going to repost part of a post of mine from another board that I directed to a moderate Republican friend who expressed similar sentiments earlier today.



While I have been known to lash out on this board at times, I like to believe that I am a pretty levelheaded guy who tries to find the truths that we can all agree upon. I for one welcome the hand outstretched to me by whoever is at the other end of the arm if that hand is extended in friendship and cooperation. However if it is extended for the sole purpose of grabbing me and dragging me away, I will bite it. Hard.

--PunkDavid

I think the president had a chance to begin "healing the nation" today, but instead chose to devote only a couple of sentences to us who voted against him. That's OK, we're already well aware of how he does business, and who he looks out for.

Very well said. I totally agree with you. Regardless of our political leanings, we need to be respectful of each other. We all have different backgrounds, and we all, as such, have something we can add to society. I can't wait till the name-calling is over with--it is hurting America.

well said....I just wish we could find the truth somewhere. It seems so ellusive now. Each side has it's own information and nobody is willing to admit their's isn't right. I think we've got along way to go before we can honestly say things are changing. I'm willing to give it a shot. Alot is going to depend on the next few months. If I feel Bush is honestly respecting the liberal viewpoint, I'll gladly support his efforts. It remains to be seen.

was it me, or was John Edwards the one talking about "two Americas" "battling" and "fighting" each other in his concession speech?

It was you. I listened to Edwards's speech and he used the phrase "create one America" once and never said "two Americas" at all today. Get your accusations straight.

--PunkDavid

If he did, I certainly don't remember him speaking about it in a positive fashion.

Not my point, nor did I say that.