Just because something may be difficult to hear, doesn't mean one should be cowed into holding back from discussing it in public. Over the past eight years I developed something of a bad reputation for being a bummer at parties or social gatherings. Folks didn't want to hear me lay out the myriad ways our government (specifically the right wing) and even our society at large was failing and coming unravelled. People goofed on me calling me a wild eyed conspiracy theorist. Others were made uncomfortable by discussions I prompted on things like the war, ecology, civil liberties etc. I had numerous people get angry at me saying things like, "no one wants to hear that. Folks are here to have a good time not get lectured on <Travesty Du Jour> Mind you, I was not a pedantic, lecturing, know-it-all, boor. I just always feel like important stories should be hashed out and thoughts explored in social arenas. This is why I have loved lurking here at Dkos for a long time. Thinking and exchanging ideas on difficult topics are welcomed activities in this community and other progressive blogs. For this I am grateful. But lately, I have been noticing that this may be changing (not here yet thankfully).
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