Originally Posted by cscmc1

I've been wondering what happened to the art of compromise (particularly in politics). For example, I lean right, generally speaking, but the general tone of the right, in some ways, has been hijacked by Tea Party/Sarah Palin loudmouth types who are more interested in passing off insults and one-liners than in working in chorus with the "other side."

Wonder why that is? Has the internet just made it easier for these folks to find each other, and engendered a mob mentality? The "anonymity" of the internet seems to encourage some pretty outlandish comments at times. Wonder if that's trickling over in the form of some of the incivility and stubbornness we're seeing (from both sides)? I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and trying to temper my comments here in OD accordingly. I wouldn't be snarky with discussion "adversary" in-person, so why do it online?

Just thinking aloud, I guess. Carry on.