RE: Name Calling in Context

<If I understand correctly, Jodi thinks (http://speakshermind.redmonk.net/namecalling)
> the liberal left never have to provide context for their name calling,
> while conservatives constantly have to explain their views.

Well, your insertion of "never" and "constantly" are a bit unfair, but to a degree that *has* been my experience. To clarify a point though, I was not intending to imply that you personally should have to include context in all of your comments or opinions especially when "speaking" to those familiar with you and your views. My "essay" was inspired by a combination of the discussion taking place here on your site as well as recent personal experiences and was not intended to be aimed directly at you.

>I'm not sure I agree, but maybe leftists ask rightists to clarify or explain
>their views while rightists just dismiss leftist views as crap and don't ask?

I don't think this is the case. Though to a point I think *both* sides are only willing to listen to the other's viewpoint for so far before rolling their eyes in frustration at the one-sidedness of the argument, mentally noting the bias and with pride and superiority validating whatever view you had of him/her (or the issue) to begin with.

> Right from the start my opinion of him has been that he's a twit.
> I've linked to plenty of pages to solidify that opinion...

Hmm, that would be a case in point. ;-)

I think we (at the very least *I*) need to be willing to ask more questions of those with opposing views to try to better understand their view and consider how it is they came to reach it. This I see happening a lot on your site with regard to certain issues. I guess I need to get in and participate a bit more and then I'll feel "safer" about posting my not-so-popular views while at the same time learning new info and ideas.

Jodi