A couple of comments here. One from Jim Hightower that had me laughing in total agreement. Read the whole thing – it is short. Pretty much echoing what I always say about the state of the ‘news’ these days. It is all Blondes, all the time bought and paid for by your favorite brand of Cheesy Poofs. The dumbing down of the American public and dialog on the issues of the day began when network executives started expecting the news divisions to turn a profit.
Next is yesterday’s exchange between Elizabeth Edwards and Ann Coulter on Chris Matthews’ show. There is a short video and also a transcript, but I think you need to see the video to hear the tones of voices and also the crowd reactions. I think the best point that Mrs Edwards made was when she pointed out what a poor example she was making for the children standing right behind her in the crowd. Even though it was a rather Coulter-sympathetic group, they all resoundingly applauded that point. I wrote a letter to MSNBC asking them to stop putting someone like AC on TV. She is not the kind of political pundit who should be highlighted. Her ‘jokes’ are incredibly cruel. This confrontation stemmed from Ann saying she should stop ‘joking’ about John Edwards being a fag and maybe ‘joke’ instead about how she wished he was killed by terrorists! Uh??? Why is this kind of speech applauded? Why is it funny? Again – the dumbing down of America and political discourse. Easier to hurl insults and hate filled jokes than to talk issues isn’t it? I just love her response too “Oh, so I just stop writing entirely?” Nice. Mature. Not passive-aggressive at all eh? I guess that is Ann’s way of saying that she CANNOT write about politics any other way? That the only skill she has is personal insults and jokes? Does she not have the ability to write anything inciteful or intelligent on policy or issues?
Look, I don’t give a rip which party started this type of debate – I’ve seen evidence of it from both sides all of my adult life. I also don’t care which side ENDS it! I just want it to STOP. I want the news to go back to being informative and educational and I want political talking heads to provide substance and insight.
I am not holding my breath.
Trees & Flowers & Birds! 
Let me just comment on your second to last paragraph. I know that your boys are pretty far apart agewise, and probably don’t have as much of the sibling rivalry as my two do. But Chip and Princess are always bickering, and I pretty much am trying to use that attitude with them. I don’t CARE who started it — I just want it to STOP. In many? most? cases it takes two to argue. If one person refuses to continue the argument eventually it dies down.
Chip (as you know) is 10. Princess is 5.
I have a VERY strong hunch that Chip and Princess will get this YEARS before Ann Coulter.
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