Look at the problem progressives are having with the current administration and congress, which in theory is a Democratic majority. We might as well be that third party, beating against a centrist organization. As soon as we peel away into that third group, the conservative end of the spectrum is in a better position to peel away members from the centrist organization, leaving the centrist and progressive organizations without the political clout necessary to effect change.

Bifurcation has become a feature, not just a bug, because it’s so damned hard to push the pendulum in one or the other direction without a critical mass.

The fantasy bifurcation of politics into left vs. right is certainly harmful in many ways, but it’s mainly harmful because the fantasy is seen for reality. In order to fix this, we have to come to terms with our own fantasies. We have to quit thinking of The Other Side as the other side, because the line that is drawn between us was put there by someone who is simply trying to use us for their own ends.

The line, in other words, is more arbitrary than anyone thinks, and if you don’t recognize this you run the risk of being a tool.

That’s step one. Step two is when we look at these lines and recognize their negative nature, and then realize that we were the ones who drew them.

How much impact has Sarah Palin had on the socialization of young women in this country? Are they shaping their opinion of political opportunity based on her performance? How many parents are ignoring the chance for comparison based on effectiveness between the female role models now serving as elected officials?

I shudder to think any parent would let this sorry mess pass for success, and that a future generation of women running for office will think this behavior acceptable. Ugh.

One only has to look at those examples, though, to see the weakening of them from how they were thought of and practiced, versus how they are now. Every one of the examples given, suffered during the Bush years.

Part of that, I would say, is a loss of courage. Fear will do that to people. The ideals that embodied in our nation can inspire courage, if they are pointed out and respected. When the ideals are undermined and fear is encouraged, cowardice is the result.

So let’s stand up for the traditional ideals of truth, justice for all, equality and family that have made this country great!

Now, does that line of thinking make me a conservative, or a liberal?

Ha! The question is meaningless!

a falsehood, wrapped in a fabrication, protecting a distortion, cloaking a misrepresentation, encircling an invention, veiling a fiction, shrouding a whopper.

Pretty much sums her up! Good work. Maybe we can pierce her veiled fictions when we take her deposition.

you said:

a mystery and an enigma wrapped in a conundrum

Last week, trying to describe a series of Palin falsehoods during the week before her bizarre Friday speech, I described my soon-to-be-ex-guv as:

a falsehood, wrapped in a fabrication, protecting a distortion, cloaking a misrepresentation, encircling an invention, veiling a fiction, shrouding a whopper.

Looks like her attorney is testing the waters for a SLAPP suit against those pesky, annoying Alaska bloggers.