It's Time to Pop the Liberal Bubble (The Only Cooler Head @ The Seattle-PI)

SeattlePI.com ^ | November 5, 2004 | Robert L. Jamieson

[PointRight]

Seattle has a cheery reputation for being wondrously liberal.

On a dare, I decided to test this widely held belief.

During the presidential campaign, when I would bump into folks on the street, I would say: "Hi. I'm with a group called Blacks for Bush. We are trying to help our president win four more ..."

....

So much for tolerance.

For the record, I do prefer donkeys to elephants. I'm pro-Kerry.

But my unscientific experiment, involving encounters with dozens of people, made me realize a truth in what conservatives often kvetch about: The Emerald City ain't so pretty if you are down with the GOP.

[PointRight]

I wouldn't call it a "cheery reputation"; more like an "infamous reputation". I would also take issue with the points made by Alan Wolfe that Robert quotes (my opinion is in red):

Wolfe writes: "On moral matters, there is no much unanimity in America. Who could doubt that some most Americans believe in God ... uphold the nuclear family as an ideal, are worried about a declining sense of patriotism on the left."

He adds: "Nor is it wrong to suggest that others left-wing politicians, sexually-focused/obsessed lobbies, univeristy professors, and other Michael Moore-type Kool-Aid drinkers believe a loosening of the moral rules by which society conducts its business is a healthy development." Some These people, he points out, "are pleased with open borders that will eventually lead to our downfall and socialism, granting gay rights in order to marginalize the traditional family structure, free speech with the exception for those that disagree with them and strict separation of church and state to ensure that morality based on a higher power is no longer a factor in decision making and accountability."

In general, it's nice to see at least one person on the other side of the aisle hoping cooler heads will prevail.

[pypo]

Don't take the trouble. That zip popped itself.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Washington state ping, please. (You rock, CCTriple7.)

[anniegetyourgun]

It's a wonderful city....you just gotta know who to hang with....and have your radio dial glued to conservative talk, so you won't go insane!

[Citizen Soldier]

Seattle is opening their tent city #4 and on the campus of the University of Seattle I think (saw it on the news) and the president of the university said it would offer the students a chance to do "outreach". I want to know how parents who pay to send their darlings there will like having a tent city of the "homeless" there! Seattle needs more liberals, not!

[Egon]

But really, folks, how can any "coming together" happen when Democrats and Republicans have such a hard time talking honestly to one another?

I would suggest that the writer attempt the antithesis of his experiment for awhile, and then see about revising his question.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[randog]

Seattle is opening their tent city #4 and on the campus of the University of Seattle I think (saw it on the news) and the president of the university said it would offer the students a chance to do "outreach".

Let's see how many UoS female students get within a mile of that place at night. Let's just see how "tolerant" and "outreaching" they are.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

It doesn't help matters when the president creates fissures by asking are you "with us or against us"?

Why do Democrats insist on taking this line of the President's speech out of context? He wasn't talking about his fellow Americans...unless they're up to no good, of course.

[Chad Fairbanks]

When I interviewed former Seattle City Attorney Mark Sidran earlier this year, he framed the region's ideological divide this way: "Seattle is 85 scenic square miles surrounded by reality."

That Sidran. What a cut-up!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

When I interviewed former Seattle City Attorney Mark Sidran earlier this year, he framed the region's ideological divide this way: "Seattle is 85 scenic square miles surrounded by reality."

Huh. Tell me about it... :)

[Hendrix]

Excellent revision!

[caisson71]

Whoa, my alma mater has a tent city? I remember the Chieftains but have a difficult time with the dodo bird or whatever the heck their new PC mascot is these days. That used to be a good school, Jesuits and all, once, but has since descended to the lowest depths of Puget Sound. I'm hoping for a turnaround.....but not in my lifetime.

[Born Conservative]

Keep the faith, Kent. The tide is turning (although it may take longer to turn where you are).

[Citizen Soldier]

That is what I am thinking. I never go to downtown as I feel like a target. Too many freaks holding their skateboards and backpacks. I thought the new tent city was going to be on some church grounds and was shocked when I saw it going to a campus.

[processing please hold]

Damn. You're gooooooood.

[Citizen Soldier]

I said I think it was U of S - I am trying to find the info on the news to verify which campus it is. I looked up and saw the newscast but I can't recall which channel it was on. I will ping you when I find it.

[BraveMan]

But even if you loathe what Bush stands for, can 59 million Americans be categorically and cavalierly labeled as dumb?

Go visit the DemocraticUnderground, Mr. Jamieson, and you'll have your answer rather quickly. Welcome to the world of the liberal left, the Party of Tolerance™.

I'll give P-I columnist Robert L. Jamieson Jr. credit for having the courage to pen this column, especially given his own political leanings and his current location. I hope he can endure the hate mail he will no doubt receive.

[Citizen Soldier]

I found it but I don't have the directions to link it. Go to the Seattle Times on Nov. 3 and they have an article about it, unreal! They even show a map where it will be located.

[kinsman redeemer]

I wrote the following message to to Mr. Jamison. Thanks for letting me post it here:

______(snip)_______

For the record, I do prefer elephants to donkeys. I'm pro-Bush.

I was alerted to your article from freerepublic.com.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1271920/posts

I read the entire story at your paper's web site.

"And as a country, we can't afford to remain entrenched in warring camps where people on both sides scream across the divide without trying to get beyond stereotypes or snap judgments."

Very good. But I have a question for you. Maybe two.

Did you receive any positive responses at all from either conservative (or open-minded) blacks or from open-minded liberals?

What from your "unscientific experiment" made you conclude that Republicans "have such a hard time talking honestly?" Especially, sir, in light of your observation that young Republicans "must guard their tongues in class because they fear the wrath of teachers and fellow students should they say something politically incorrect."

I believe that in truth, there is light and that light reveals the things that can be hidden in darkness. Do you?

Please consider this: "What is Truth?"

I would love to shake your hand and let you know that as a "Black Man for Bush" - I welcome your independent and courageous decision to join the party that as (my hero) Dr. Martin Luther King said, judge me by the content of my character, not by the color of my skin.

Thank your for your time,

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