Now, you ask is there some reason I feel the need to attack McCain and Palin's policies rather than just being satisfied with supporting the policies of the ones they agree with? Um...yes there is. Its called politics. Discussion, discourse, whatever. Or as Monty Python said once, I can't argue with you unless I take up a contrary position. I know what you mean beardedbruce, you are talking about the more personal type of attacks. But in all fairness, the process itself has gotten more mean spirited, and non partisan pundits, and talk show hosts slinging more mud 24/7 on the airwaves and tv does little to make us sound like our founding fathers. I feel a lot of us have lost the notion of a spirited debate, and I'm not talking about mudcat. As a nation, too many of us rely on distorted information, and not enough on rational thought.We refuse to acknowledge hard evidence that should sway our opinion. We would rather hear everythings ok, than pull up your bootstraps, we're in for a long haul. Despite that however, the one thing I will not do is avoid arguing, discussing, attacking what I feel is a wrong, or a mistake. I'm going to guess I'm not going to make you change your mind bb, but I'll still try. All I can do is try. All you can do is try. I'm just not going to run to the high road when I want to be above it all, and the low road when I want to attack. I'll stay on the shoulder, thank you very much!