For a comparison, I would recommend reading a little about the animosities and divisions that had developed between family and friends prior to the Civil War. I'm not suggesting that rational people are now ready to shed blood over liberal and conservative issues but some of the more irrational forces of each side have been ready to knock heads for some time.
As I said, I feel myself being dragged down to their level. I have always tried to keep my blog on a courteous plane, but I find myself getting angrier and angrier. We have the pre-civil war phenomenon happening all across the country, and articles are appearing about it. As for me, I cannot even talk with one of my sons whose Bush hatred is so intense he cannot think straight.