I usually feel better about myself when I can try to understand other's point of view, but when I talk that way, I don't get much attention.

People seem to react, pay attention better if I espouse extremist views, so I guess I do that when I'm feeling ignored or neglected.

Bagpuss' comment about people attributing extremist views to those who don't agree with them is enlightening. My sister-in law once referred to a politician as pro-abortion. I have a friend who has worked at a women's health clinic for 14 or 15 years, counseling pregnant women who plan to terminate their pregnancies, and I don't think most people, even in that milieu, are pro abortion, she'd much rather be handing out condoms and other contraceptives.

The church that pays me to sing in their choir has just decided (in a close vote by the board) to have "Dr. Laura" come and speak at a fund-raiser. I realized that I hadn't ever listened to her, only what I'd read about her, and that when people were going nuts about Eminem, I at least found transcriptions of his lyrics and read them to see for myself what all the fuss was about. If I consider what "Dr. Laura" is reputed to have said, it's pretty much within the bounds of traditional views of many religions, but what gets all the attention seems to be when she and Eminem use their hard line views to justify dehumanizing other people

Maybe we, as a society like it when people can find an excuse to treat others differently than our mothers taught us was proper.

Mimosa