I love this site- I really do. I've been here for a little more than a month and now I check it several times a day. What I like best about it is the wealth of original thought which stems from this place. However, I have noticed that in many ways this site is little better than a GOP echo chamber. While I'll stop short of declaring this site entirely closed minded, I must say that I am disappointed by the reaction of many people to comments which contradict their own beliefs.
For instance, I have noticed that this site is absolutely intolerant of any objective view of Israel. With the exception of a lengthy discussion I had with MeteorBlades here, I find very few people who will take the time to consider an outlook of Israel which strays from their own. When I recently posted to Israel's defense I was barraged by low ratings despite my calm arguments backed up with considerable support. I do not support Israel blindly and I'll be the first critize Sharon- I hate him as an obstacle to peace- but my more conservative stance on Israel is obviously unwelcome here.
We rail the Republicans for being closed-minded and fanatical, but when I see people rate others based soley on the level to which they agree with the content of the post, I get sick to my stomache. I don't profess to have always rated fairly and to always make insightful, unique posts. But I'm new to the blog and I'm doing my best. I just hate to see that in our efforts to become the opposite of Bush, we have become his mirror image (thanks to mstein for coming up with this apt phrase).
Note: To some extent this flaw has already been acknowledged in this diary Do ratings exist to be vindictive?. Give it a read, its a great post.