Jack, if I say that I was not referring to you personally as an individual, I say it because I mean it. I was speaking about a general situation I see in society that affects many people, but I was not singling out you or anyone else here as an individual. I am not "above the fray" because I care about the issues, I am simply not attacking you on a personal basis, and that is all.

You don't need to defend yourself against me, because I'm not out to get you. I am discussing general issues which affect millions of people, not picking on you personally. I'm suggesting that you shouldn't take what I say about American society personally, because my political comments are not aimed at characterizing you as "brainwashed" or anything else like that. I just think you're often oversensitive to disagreement, quick to take offense, and you get angry on the spur of the moment and take things very personally when they aren't necessarily meant that way at all.

I think you would agree that there are a substantial number of people who are brainwashed by the mass media, right? Well, that's the problem I'm talking about.

As for GfS, I'm not responsible for what he or she says or doesn't say, but I like a lot of it, that's all. I'm not "sucking up" to GfS, I genuinely am impressed by his or her independent view of things, and I express enthusiasm when I like someone else's ideas. I may not like all of it. (shrug) But so what? I don't have to like all of it. I don't expect perfection from anyone...