Public response to the blog

I was slightly confused the other day as I moderated comments on this blog from a 'Spence.' The only Spence I know is in high school, quite bright, but not with a different writing style quite than the respondant's, and with opposite political views. And then I finally realized...someone random out there I don't know has found this! And is serious enough about public discourse to respond to my posts with reasoned opposition! YAY!!! Because although I obviously hold differing political convictions than this mystery commenter I totally respect him.

I think we'd have a much higher chance of electing conscientious and truly representative representatives, and of accomplishing reasonable policy, if there was less partisan bickering and more reasoned discourse. Not to say that discussion doesn't sometimes get heated, because there are some issues that are deal-breakers, and my views of the rights and responsibilities of government and on issues of personal liberty are deeply held and hence highly emotional, but I'm just tired of people yelling at each other.

[Sidenote: I'm not even going to watch the vice-presidential debate tonight, I already know their policy positions clearly, plus, i'm ticked that the moderator is clearly far from impartial (she has a book deal about Barack's spectacular rise to power set to be published on Inauguration day and it's her economic welfare is tied to Obama winning). If I thought that it would be a case of 2 respectable, truth-telling opponents discussing their policy issues in a challenging but respectful manner, i'd watch, but it's pretty much set to be a vicious attack on Palin. Or a shouting match. Sorry for the sidenote, but my rants run into each other sometimes.]

So I welcome this reader, and thank him for the time he has taken in responding to my posts. I have copied all of his comments into a text document so that I can peruse them all together, and when I have the time to finish researching the sources he cites I will respond to those comments. He made some legitimate points and also said some things with which I blatantly disagree. And yet, look at the amicable repartee.

Blog mission (at least partially) accomplished.