I was pointing out what I view as a double-sided debating tactic. Pointing out that somehow is closed-minded and then presenting a closed-minded set point of view is intellectually unfair. If I’m judging this debate, I have to call it a draw.

In that I mean that there are things that “conservatives” (as I’m sure that “liberals” as well) have issues that are not up for discussion. We hold these things as our core values and are unable to separate them from our world view.

My question to Brian would be why would it be embarrassing to have a VP that believed in creationism and why the phrase “in this century”? Are we supposed to be more enlightened in this century than our forefathers were?

To wit, if I argue that you’re not being open-minded in considering my point on abortion that all abortion is wrong and evil and harmful to the natural order, I am also by definition not being open-minded to whatever you might say on the issue in opposition to my point.

Which is to say, we can’t have it both ways. Either we’re open-minded to points, or we’re not. I’ve heard from enough conservative commentators about others not being open-minded to think that this is a debating-point phenomenon among conservative commentators, thus my observation that the line of argument demonstrated above is “a classic conservative rejoinder.”

No offense meant to conservatives who use this line of argument. Maybe they don’t realize that they are setting a double standard of sorts. I think it’s only fair to ask rhetorically that all of us – liberals, moderates, conservatives, agnostics, etc. – debate on fair and equal terms.

A classic conservative rejoinder. Hitting someone on perceived liberal intolerance, opening the door wide enough to drive a truck through to make a point, then closing it again having made the point, ironically in favor of one of the more closed-minded social issues out there.

I wouldn’t call Day 1 of the convention a big bust. It was underwhelming from my perspective, so maybe I’m splitting hairs with the words “big bust.” I look ahead to Day 1 of the GOP convention and note that Dick Cheney is on the schedule of speakers. That will be something of a thud itself.

Obama should have selected the Senator from Indiana or Chuck Hagel.

Also, Day 1 of the Convention was a big bust.

“Wouldn’t it be a bit embarrassing to have a creationist as vice-president in this century?”

A great example of today’s “open minded” intolerant liberal thought process to condemn everyone who doesn’t tote the party line and think like they do.

What happened to all the talk about tolerance?? Or do you just have tolerance for people who agree and think like you do  Your parties must be a blast.

Conservatives are honest enough with themselves to admit what they believe in and that they by choice hold to a certain values system…but the process has turned the “open-minded” into a hierocratic far more restrictive than the judgments they hurl against ”conservatives” who believe in a loving Creator Father.

Evolution has such a major problem that what thinking person could ever admit to buying into this thought process. Where do I come from???

From apes?? No you have to go further

From Reptiles?? No go further

From Fish?? No go way back

OK I got it “from that primordial stew.” No, go further back

I am not willing to believe that we came from water (where did that come from) washing over rocks. We did not come from rocks!

So Brian, please do some more thinking before you pound on your drum.

This leaves only Govs Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty. Pro-abortion Ridge and Dem-Lieberman were never real considerations, despite relentless media goading. Pawlenty’s lackluster TV performances, coupled with Palin pizzazz, the primacy of oil drilling and the ticked off women/Hillary voters, does now portend a McCain/Palin checkmate on the Dems. This is so albeit the Dems and liberal media dare not mention Palin’s name, that is, everyone but…..

And if there’s any question as to Palin being uniquely positioned and able to more than nullify Biden in debate, see the excellent discussion at palinforvp.blogspot.com

Team McCain, well done!!!