I am not sure how we can support and encourage moderates if we keep allowing 'our' extremists to poke them with sticks in the name of their [insert god, reason, etc.] here.
The moderates on all sides are continually punished for what the extremists do. Why? Are they really lacking effort or willingness to change? I don't think so. I think we're all just so burned (or maybe our ears are still ringing?) that it's hard to listen when they want to do something positive (coughIRANcough).
Maybe it's just my logic but wouldn't that sort of treatment be more likely to turn a moderate in to an extremist. I know I've become a total extremist, I just happen to be on the side of life, liberty and all that other junk.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-31 06:57 am (UTC)The moderates on all sides are continually punished for what the extremists do. Why? Are they really lacking effort or willingness to change? I don't think so. I think we're all just so burned (or maybe our ears are still ringing?) that it's hard to listen when they want to do something positive (coughIRANcough).
Maybe it's just my logic but wouldn't that sort of treatment be more likely to turn a moderate in to an extremist. I know I've become a total extremist, I just happen to be on the side of life, liberty and all that other junk.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-31 06:59 am (UTC)