A few posts above you will find an entry that is pertinent to a discussion of American civic ideals. In it Armed Liberal puts out a plea for help for a felllow blogger who's also a political opponent. There's an astonishing comment (#2) which states, essentially, that the writer wouldn't help out a decent man whose views he deplores. To which Armed Liberal replies:
He comes by his beliefs genuinely, and he is willing to engage opponents in honest and serious dialog.That's all I ever ask of anyone. I think he's deeply wrong about the war; I know you're free to do what you will with your cash - but I also know that the ultimate test of my character is how I treat my opponents.
Not that my own character hasn't failed that test repeatedly, but, Amen.