Some people just don’t have a whole lot of manners, and it’s not the best thing when they post their bad manners online for the whole world to see.

I’m right there with you. The conversation does not need to be broader just like the conversation about Liar needs to be broader. Some readers though want to narrowly focus on what is manageable for them. What does it take to make it clear that what the initial conversation stems from long-standing practices that marginalized people of color.

Back to your point. This country needs national health care not only because it is the right thing to do which is most important but we cannot continue to operate under the current system. It boggles my mind that so many people are so worried about what will happen to them individually that they cannot see how they are closer to being the poor sap who is wiped out because of a medical crisis than not.

Will we ever learn that clinging to what you’ve always done is dysfunctional? That their self-serving interest doesn’t serve them? No system is perfect but our current system is so flawed it is insane not to dismantle it.

I live in a state with 17.5% unemployment. How many of these people are without health insurance? Among these people, babies will be born, adults will have heart attacks and develop cancer. To shut down the conversation about health care reform says how little we think of caring for one another.

It’s appalling how we treat each other. Sometimes, I wish the rest of the animal kingdom could come together at a conference and vote to do something just shy of total annihilation.

Susan: Yes, indeed. Speaking out is the one of the most important things anyone can do.

But not like the people currently trying to shut down town hall meetings about health care. Their main motivation is to stop conversation. The conversation about health care needs to be broader and bigger—not stopped.

Megan,

Justine didn’t say play nice. She said don’t tell someone to be silent.

There is another I prefer by Audre Lorde. Paraphrased, she says silence doesn’t serve us. It won’t save you. Therefore it is better to speak up.

We don’t have to agree, and I loathe censoring comments as well, but what I have zero tolerance for is personal attacks. Attack the message, not the messenger. If you don’t know the difference then let’s talk about that.

what’s that that your mother’s taught you? if you can’t say anything nice DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL?!?!!