egon

OK!

So I was thinking about this, and I think that it sums up the real problem quite well.

I'm a member of the Sg Liberal Politics group. Basically the democrats who are polically active on the site (certainly not all, but thats not the point.) This group is a public group. No one is excluded from joining. the group even says "Independents (and even conservatives) are welcome to join this group, but please refrain from flaming threads." Thats it. all you have to do is be polite, and anyone can join. INCLUSIVE!

Then there is the SG conservative group. That group is private. their header includes the note that "applicants must have a journal, a profile, and posts which reflect their conservative political viewpoint and the ability to express it in an intelligent and informed way." the group is EXCLUSIVE (although the do state that racists and bigots need not apply)

And therein, here on SG, lies the perfect example of the diference between the liberal veiwpoint and the consevative veiwpoint. Boiled down to group membership rules. Liberals are tolerant inclusuve people who welcome everyone, of all veiwpoints. Conservatives are an exclusive group that apperently CAN'T FUCKING BE BOTHERED WITH THOSE THAT DISSAGREE WITH THEM, SINCE THEY MIGHT MAKE A VALID POINT. while I'm sure that the group probably doesn't want to take the heat of all the liberals on this site that dissagree with them, (and all the bush bashing and pro choice yelling etc.. that would certainly go on in the group, even if they don't actually believe in those things)they certainly aren't doing the conservative cause any good by being an exclusive group.

And that is why I could never be a conservative. I welcome dissent and disagreement. Thats how we fucking learn. Thats how we fucking grow. hiding from it in some sort of cadre of like minded individuals certainly isn't going to do it. And politically, it makes you look like your either scared of something, or discriminating against something.