[Superman]

One of my union leader/friend's most charming statements, which he will actually make occasionally in a meeting, goes like this.

"My two favorite things to do are ****ing and fighting, and I don't get enough fighting at home."

Another: Wrestle with a pig in the mud long enough, and you'll notice that it gets you very dirty, and the pig likes it.

I personally like a good, respectful informal debate. To the degree disrespect happens, the actual debate falls away (which is what I am interested in), so I can ignore. Not forgive and forget, but forgive and remember. Indeed, anger is a good indication that someone is out of rational input, and has lost the argument.

But overall, I would strongly assert that the debate itself is FAR more important than the hirt feelings of my thin-skinned brethren here. Public policy is a terrifically important debate in my country, and it should be drastically accelerated, rather than being usually swept under a rug. It is my very very very virogrous opinion that the ordinary voter has a very twisted view of how public policy is made in this country. We desperately need to have this debate, in the clear light of day, in the Town Square, with all the villagers in attendance. Government is not "them." Government is "us." We. The People.