Now, that's where we differ, Steve. Yes, there are people out there shouting all sorts of bigotry, and I know that a number of other Mudcatters feel obliged to get right out there and shout them down. And they show a tendency to show disdain for us who don't join in the shouting. If fact, they seem to think that since we don't join in shouting at the bigots, that we may well be supporting the bigotry.

Well, I've never found shouting to be very effective, so I refrain from it except in very rare situations where I find shouting to be effective. I've found that if I shout too often, people stop listening to me.

Most of the time, I find that if I attack bigotry directly, I only serve to strengthen the cause of the bigots. The supporters of Donald Trump are profiting heavily from this phenomenon.

So, instead of attacking or condemning bigots, I work hard to spotlight the positive side of the objects of bigotry. I don't spend much time opposing anti-Hispanic bigotry here in California, although I am bitterly opposed to it. Instead, I do everything I can to support the dignity of Hispanics in California, and to demonstrate to people that Hispanics were here before we were and have a historic right to be here.

In my community, there is a strong and organized opposition to homeless people. And yes, I do have to knock heads with those anti-homeless bigots on occasion. Most of the time, though, I work to show how our homeless people come from right here, and have often lived here longer than the people who are complaining about them. I also work hard to support the shelter we've built to help solve the problem of homelessness.

Direct opposition to bigotry has its place, no doubt. But for the most part, the bigots express themselves in ways that are far less than what most people would consider to be "intelligent.' So, if all you can do is match the performance of the bigots, my fear is that you will destroy the credibility of the cause.

So, better to use logic, persuasion, and good example to promote one's cause. Shouting does work, but only if used sparingly. In the long run, positive efforts are far more effective than strident opposition.

-Joe Offer-