I don't believe I need spell it out further.

I don't believe I need spell it out further.

You don't. No One does.

Having said that, I have a thought after sleeping that I'll plunk donw here.

Consensus is eluisve, a figment.

Discussion very much rests on disagreement.

The effort to seek consensus should not trump ideology.

There is nothing politically or humanly expedient about doing mental gymnastics to cypher a way to integrate reactionary views. They are fine to discuss and thereby learn about. But they will not, through discussion or any other examination, become legitimate.

I don't believe I need spell it out further.

You don't. No One does.

Having said that, I have a thought after sleeping that I'll plunk donw here.

Consensus is eluisve, a figment.

Discussion very much rests on disagreement.

The effort to seek consensus should not trump ideology.

There is nothing politically or humanly expedient about doing mental gymnastics to cypher a way to integrate reactionary views. They are fine to discuss and thereby learn about. But they will not, through discussion or any other examination, become legitimate.

I would expand on that, or perhaps address another facet. Namely that if we can't take the rough with the smooth even now, with a tiny, hand-picked group with whom we have months or years of experience and whose essential good will and caring presumably formed the basis for invitation...how on earth can we possibly get anywhere in the real world?

Can limited consensus on the big picture be preserved without wedge issues shattering momentum?

Fundamentalist Christians and sportsman can find common cause with environmentalists, for example.

This recent controversy has been interesting in that respect. I have no problems with others bringing up inflammatory issues, but be prepared to defend them. One question though, is being on the Left an arbitrary position--or aside from economic fairness, are there other positions just as important to make a stand on?

One question though, is being on the Left an arbitrary position--or aside from economic fairness, are there other positions just as important to make a stand on?
I don't know, Raph. I'm in favor of the same maximum amount of freedom for everyone, and that seems to make everything important!