Yes, we can.

[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.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by mousepod

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.

This was bothering me a bit....I get the third. I really do get why that's considered intolerant. I don't get why the first two are considered intolerant.

Being pro-war (assuming you mean Iraq) is intolerant? I'm not sure how.

Being pro-life is intolerant? Certainly blowing up clinics and threatening to shoot abortion doctors is, but it's been a really long time since I can remember such a thing happening, and those things have never been a platform of the republican party. Not to open the debate, but pro-lifers don't consider it an issue of choice, they see the unborn as alive and needing protection. Again, not sure how this is intolerant.

If it is about passion on the issues, both sides are indeed passionate on those subjects and shout each other down all the time.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Not to open the debate, but pro-lifers don't consider it an issue of choice, they see the unborn as alive and needing protection. Again, not sure how this is intolerant.

In my own opinion, it's intolerant because a lot of pro-lifers are saying "the government should say no abortions period". Some make concessions and say "it's okay if the woman's life is in danger" etc. But pro-choice people are saying "government should stay out of it". Pro-choice people are not promoting abortions. They are saying "this mega-decision should be left up to the pregnant woman". Pro-lifers are inserting themselves into the situation and wanting to legislate away someone's ability to decide for themselves what to do. It ain't their business, that is not respecting privacy, that is being intolerant, imho.

As someone who is pro-choice, my personal stance is "it ain't my business, deal with the situation as you see fit, go to therapy for your mental well-being no matter what you decide and next time use a f*cking condom".