Almost A Rant. . .

I've noticed some extra-stupid activity lately: The Washington Post actually printed a "column" by Sarah Palin on Climate Change (how exactly does someone who thinks the world was created some 6,000 years ago in six 24-hour days suddenly gain the ability to discern between good science and bad science?). She thinks it all a political plot by polar bears or something. The other day Harry Reid (D-May Be Growing A Spine) pointed out that any time there is a major push for change there is always a group saying "Slow down! This is not the time for insert justice movement name here!" He used the examples of Abolition, Women's Sufferage, and the Civil Rights movement. Well, the Republicans went crazy! "How can Harry Reid compare slavery to Health Care Reform? Doesn't he know it was a Republican president who ended slavery?" Now, those with some reading comprehension skills and the ability to understand the English language realize that Harry Reid wasn't necessarily talking about Republicans, but he was talking about those who are against all change. These people are called "conservatives." Since the Republican Party is the Conservative Party, and since the Republicans have come out against every possible move towards Health Care Reform (except for tax cuts!) and have been heard recently claiming that "now is not the time for HCR; we have a war to fight!" I guess it isn't too difficult to make the connection, but Mr. Reid wasn't talking about slavery; he was talking about opposition to change.

How the hell do you talk to people like this? How the hell do you negotiate with people like this?

Perhaps we've been approaching this incorrectly. It's true that, after eight years of totally insane dialogue coming out of the White House, many of us yearn, no, DEMAND some sort of sane conversation, but it's not gonna happen with the GOP and the Blue Dog Democrats (who all need a good talking to, complete with threats). I think that maybe the Democratic Party should start behaving in a contrary manner and saying Just Plain Goofy Stuff, too! Why? Because behaving in a sane manner hasn't worked and the GOP can't even understand or comprehend rationality. In the immortal words of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs: Act like a dumbs**t and they'll treat you as an equal! If we are going to get the GOP to recognize us as equals, we're gonna have to be major dumbs**ts just like them.