I can see where you're coming from. I think one of the problems we face on the left is that our loosing momentum creates increased pressure to fight back, to win. Add to that our lack of experience working together and some long-standing interpersonal beef, and it's not surprising how things have gotten ugly from time to time.

When I was writing that I thought of my experience as a kid playing sports, how the pressure of being behind in the 9th inning could cause the team to crack up. But also how sometimes the circumstances got us playing together like never before.

I also think of other times there has been a lot of disagreement, like during primary season. I think then things were better in some ways because people understood that although they were opposing one another, it was part of a structured process and a larger effort and that they would still work together when the time came.

I'd recommend people who are upset with current Dem attitudes and performance get involved in the primaries. It's a place where you can really make a difference, and it sure as hell beats waiting for the general and trying to figure out whether or not you can live with casting your vote.