[mousepod]

I agree that violence, hatred and intolerance is stupid - no matter which side it comes from. I also agree that there are a lot of stupid people out there.

Here's where I make a distinction (and why the Republican party hasn't ever really appealed to me): pro-war, anti-choice, anti-freedom to marry... all important parts of the Republican platform... all strike me as intolerant.

Reagan's small government beliefs might have been attractive - but the Cold War Red Scare tactics and his embrace of the Moral Majority scared the crap out of me.

It bothers me when Democrats "move to the center" by embracing intolerance - like when Tipper Gore and her Washington Wives attacked the First Amendment, or Bill Clinton wussed out with "Don't ask, don't tell."

I understand why some politicians pander to the religious right... it gets them the votes they need to get elected. I wish that weren't the case.

While Rev. Wright (and Obama's connection to him) leaves a bad taste in my mouth - I also know that Obama hasn't inflicted Wright's beliefs on the platform of his party. And that's why he - and the party - gets my vote this year.