I'm afraid I have become the right's answer to what you describe here lately.  Looking over some of my comments in some of the more liberal blogs, I see that I've let the stresses and let down's of my condition get too me, and sadly, I've taken it out on bloggers I don't agree with. 

Thanks for holding up the mirror so I could see it. ;~D

We all let it get to us on occassion.  We would not be human if we did not.  But the difference between those liberals who are gone, and those that are here (and those conservatives as well) is that while we do lose it on occassion, that is the exception, not the rule.  As it is with you.

With the ones over at du.org and our nearly departed is that they could not differentiate between the 2 and so never started or stopped.  That was the way they always did it.

I think the ones that want to, have.  This is more an observation.  And I think at least the ones here at JU can read it and take heart.  They have not jumped for a reason.  They have a message and a medium, and do not see preaching to the choir as that medium.

I aint leaving copper and you cant make me! Nyah!

Actually, I think that they are accepting the dissent and targeting their arguements accordingly.  As are most of the conservatives as well.  Which makes both the liberals and conservatives here anathema to the other side as they actually make good points!  And can debate.  The loons (on both sides) never will convert a soul.  But some here may sway a vote or 2.

I try to qualify it.  But then it gets really monotonous trying to qualify every statement.  I guess for those (and yes, those on JU know) who read me regularly, have seen it.  And I do not feel that repeating it time after time serves much purpose.

dynamaso,

Youre absolutely right that it happens on all sides from time to time. Bomb throwing is not a left or right issue. But just as I would need to approach my audience with sensitivity if I were writing on a left leaning blog site like the DU, so you and others would be well advised to approach this audience with similar sensitivity. The advantage of numbers does give people less accountability for civility. A hard truth it is, but it's no less true because of that.

My purpose in writing the original article was to point to bloggers that "liberals", or those who find themselves (rightly or wrongly) labelled as such, some reasonable models for behaviour by pointing out bloggers who've managed to secure a great deal of respect from their opposition even while espousing a wholly unpopular point of view. I like the wide ranging discussion, and wish there was more of it.

It seems that way at times.  But I was hoping this article would show that I do not.  When I rail against the "liberals", I am more often than not (actually almost always) talking about the kook fringe or the leadership of the American left.  Most here on JU do not fall into either category.  And are worthy of debate.

As was mine.  Yes, you inspired me to write it as too often we are fighting with the left and not congratulating them for their excellant debating skills and salient points.

Too often in the heat of debate, it does seem (and is just poor communication on my part) that we are lumping all in one bucket.  I hope with this that at least those on the left can see that this is not the case.  I appreciate the better debaters.  Those that can hold point for point.  We will never agree, but we gain a greater understanding of the other side and their passions when we read them.

As far as I know, the Col is not.  And I would have mentioned you if your posted more.  But you belong in Steven's league, just a junior member.  Sorry for the omission.