On Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:03:57 -0800 (PST), rb608
wrote:

On Nov 4, 6:57*pm, jeff miller wrote:
strident disagreement and principled argument does not equal hate dave...

unfortunately, our culture has become one mired in blame and namecalling
- especially our political culture. *nc's own jesse helms and his
brigade of ****stirrers are largely to blame, but so are each of us who
has allowed our human weakness, shallowness, and selfishness to win out
over our ability to think and care about our fellow citizens.

this is a monumentally historic moment and election...i'm not sure many
have really appreciated the uniqueness of this election, despite the
record turnout.


There's a lot of blame to go around; but I'd lay a lot of it on the
traditional media in general and the right wing talk show hosts in
particular. I've even seen it spill into at least one political
blog. It is unfortunate that controversy sells advertising. Whether
it's circulation, Neilson ratings, or site hits, hate sells. There's
no profit in being calm, reasonable, and intelligent.

To be sure, many of these attitudes were pre-existing conditions; but
it is imho a disturbingly dark spot on the media and those who profit
from it that so much effort was spent in tearing down candidates and
their supporters and so little on an unbiased examination of the
issues.

While I understand that my personal bias makes me see the Obama
victory from a particular pov, I nonetheless agree that it is a
monumentally different election both for it's cultural aspect as well
as its rejection of the negative politics of Lee A****er and Karl
Rove. Despite despicably vile accusations of being unpatriotic, anti-
American, terrorist sympathizer, Muslim extremist, and a dozen other
smears, Sen. Obama held firm to a message of hope and progress and
encouraging all Americans to see the best in each other, not the
worst. That such a message could succeed when delivered by a black
man in America transcends the mere fact that he is the first African-
American POTUS candidate.

I surely know that many here and in real life disagree with me; but
last night was a great moment for this country. It could, if the
lessons are learned, show us a new way forward in the way we interact
with each other politically, socially, and personally. I'm damned
proud of my country this morning.

Man, the echoes in here are startling!

/daytripper (or maybe they're just in my head ;-)