The link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=20391
My last post was about what it's like to be a conservative in America today. To summarize: It's barely tolerable.
What's it like to be a wealthy liberal in America today? Look no further than Barry Manilow for an example of what that experience is like.
Barry felt that the cast of The View is a bit too right leaning for his taste, to the point he cancelled his appearance. That's right, The View. Too far right.
To be specific, Barry does't like Elisabeth Hasselbeck. “I strongly disagree with her views. I think she's dangerous and offensive.” Really, Barry? Dangerous? Is that off-the-chart-leftist speak for “very cute?” Or do you just think it's dangerous behavior to get repeatedly brownbeaten by an obsese lesbian?
No, wait, I think I can guess... “I will not be on the same stage as her. ... I cannot compromise my beliefs." She's dangerous, because she might force Barry to forget one of the pillars of American liberalism: intolerance. You might think, for all the time the left spends praising themselves for their communication skills, for their open mindedness, for their love of diversity, that they would value an opportunity to interact with people of differing views. Not Barry. Not the American left. Their political opposition exists only to be demonized and shunned.
That's tolerance on the American left today. Feign tolerance when courting the votes of your favorite protected classes, but when somebody dares lean right, they're the scum of the earth.
And that's also why American conservatives are far more tolerant people. Now, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of Republicans/conservatives who are totally ignorant and intolerant. But in general, conservatives live their lives listening to liberals prattle on about how wonderful their liberalism is, and learned to deal with it. Conservatives have to learn to bite their tongue in public, when some douchebag Kerry booster thinks their regurgitation of today's talking points are a gift to all who behold. The simple fact is that tolerance of differing viewpoints, for an American conservative, is a necessity for the preservation of sanity.