Do we have a "Cold War" within our country?

[fujiyama]

I was thinking recently, with all this talk of polarization, in some ways it seems like there is a cold civil war within this country.

It's getting more and more difficult for people with differing views to have civil conversations with those that have differing political views. The RW hate radio, and now cable networks as well, have made it impossible to talk with RWers in a sensible way. Everyting is "their" news. The right has been able to get this myth spread that the media is liberal. Say a lie enough times, and it becones the truth.

Take a look at the cable news coverage over Reagan. Sure, the death of a former president is big news, but it's not as though it required 9/11 type coverage.

IMO, Reagan was a terrible president - one of the worst. He doesn't come close to this president though in terms of how bad he was, but he was still bad. His policies were destructive and caused misery for many. Yet, few people on TV have offered anything even approaching criticism of his policies.

The media is making myths of people. It is creating Gods. Reagan was a human. Lets leave it at that. He wasn't a God.

[leftofthedial]

1. Cold Civil War is a good way to put it

and until very recently, it was being fought one-sided

[lapfog_1]

3. That's because

we were asleep for so long, comforted in the knowledge that we
had the majority of Americans more on our side than the "crazies"
(freepers, Xians, religious right, whatever) that we all believed
to be a fringe element. Reagan scared us a little when he pandered
to the Falwells and their ilk, but he didn't DO that much. Shrub is
far more scary... he doesn't just pander to the religious right, he
IS a card carrying member. And the rest of the country, a majority
of which ARE STILL NOT part of them, are tolerating their rule.

Never have our freedoms been in such peril as now, never has the
rule of a minority so overwhelmed the majority... at least here
in the US... but the Nazis in Germany, or the Communists in
revolutionary Russia, have been in the same place as the RW
is today in our country. They are ruling us through fear, every
anti Kerry commercial is about appealing to fear.

We are at war within the US, a political, cultural and religious war. Will
we continue to be a free and tolerant people, looking for the best
in others, wanting to trust other nations... or will we give in
the fear mongers, give up our freedoms, and become the "evil empire"
that Reagan believed the Soviets to be.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Maybe Only "Cold" because of No Draft

Once they have conscription in place, there's nothing to stop them
from declaring martial law.

[Sugarbleus]

2. I don't know if I'd call it a Cold War but

We sure are divided. I don't remember so much vitriol between the parties as we see these days. Of course it didn't just start, it's been building up since several presidents past already. Maybe we can call it the undeclared civil war? Or uncivil war? I'm surprised there hasn't been rioting in the streets yet!

As for RR, well he wasn't as wonderful as the talking heads are spouting. I'll give him his due for a couple things and I'll let our country follow traditions of honoring the passing of former leaders BUT we need not swallow or forever hold our peace about him after that! The guy was more polished than Bush--that's a plus...lol However, RR is not the Lord and Savior of mankind as many are trying to paint him.

I fully appreciate your revulsion of the over the top coverage of RR. I am feeling that too. I'm listening to talk radio where the host is also feeling this way. Many of us are trying to real ourselves in until the man gets buried. Yikes....it's hard. While I don't want to get too lurid with my disdain for RR, I think we still have the right to refute some of the "Gloria" being heaped on his head this week. :puke: