All politics is local the saying goes, so months ago I signed up on a local discussion board in my community. It's far from a wonky political site. Folks there mostly post about the weather, swap recipes, talk about the local schools and on a few occasions someone says something about politics.
"Discussion" of politics there however makes AM talk-radio seem enlightened -- The democrat party hates the military. Bill Clinton is directly responsible of 9/11 (heck, you saw that show on ABC, right?). Liberals are destroying America by teaching about homosexuals in our public school.
That sort of nonsense.

I try to offer some rational insight (or the closest I can approximate rational insight) mostly to let like-minded people know they aren't the only ones questioning Rush's talking points. Maybe if I'm lucky someone rethinks a belief. Who knows. If Wes can go to Fox, I can occasional post in hostile territory.

Today I ended up on the phone with a Secret Service agent based on some of the posting there.

"ASSASSINATION is the best bet for him. I hate to say...ok no I don't...but someone needs to take him out. "

"Better him than "all" Americans. We're in for a world of hurt if they elect him in. I for one, will secretly (or not so secretly) wish for assassination...Harsh I know. But he should've just stayed out of the race. It's a price you pay for being so high profile. "

Of course I first alerted the moderator of the board but that got nowhere. She was the one who started the thread.
So I talked to the Secret Service today and they're now tracking down the folks involved and will follow up as needed.

The most disgusting part is it seemed no one else took issue with the remarks. Horrid things have been written all over the net during this race and living in the south I know there are some who would feel more at home a few century ago (sadly some in my own family). But when people you joke around with, people in your neighborhood, people who, while you disagree with many of their views you'd have no problem meeting them for dinner or a cup of coffee. just nonchalantly toss out that somebody ought to shoot, they wish someone would kill an elected official - it got to me.

In no way am I comparing the backward, violent rhetoric of some on that place to here.
Again, the heated arguments that went on here are not a difference in degree to the ramblings there but a different beast all together. I don't believe anyone here would ever think the things said there let alone let others get away with it - whether the talk was about Obama, Clinton or McCain.

Understand though some Obama supporters have fresh wounds too. I'm not ready for the hint of conflict here. I know some are looking for some understanding to help decide whether to sit on the sideline or join the in the fight this election. Most here are quite capable of having clear headed discussions. I hope others can help those Clinton supporters that have questions and doubts about Obama.

I'm not ready though.
Inside I'm fuming at the idiocy still in this world and questioning if some people deserve to be living in this country. I don't want any of that anger to spill over here.
I'm ready to detox and be reminded that most people are good eggs. This is a good place to do that.

Thanks for understanding.