Just thought I'd share a personal insight. Though I've never met Torog in person, I have found him to be very, very friendly and easy to converse with on here. He and I have differing views on politics and government, but those differences are more due to personal experiences than either of us being "right" or "wrong". If he and I were to spend an afternoon cane pole fishing for crappie in a local lake, I imagine he and I would have numerous things we agree on to talk about.

Some of you would consider me to be a left-leaning person, and on some issues I am. On other issues I am very conservative. If I were forced to "label" myself politically, I guess I'm a fiscal conservative and a social libertarian. There are some issues i am quite right-wing on and some issues I am quite left-wing on. I don't see life as being an absolute that would allow me to stick to one political mind-set regardless of any and all actions and results.

One thing I love about where I live is that I am surrounded by friends who come from tremendously varied backgrounds, and we all seem to get along very well. Disagreeing on politics or religious beliefs doesn't mean people can't respect each other and enjoy the other's company. It's a lot like being happily married.....sometimes your friendship or relationship is best preserved by just knowing you're right and not trying to convince someone else that you are.

I agree with many things Blue Cat says, and I think the cat has a lot of interesting thoughts. I also find many things that Torog believes in as being admirable and respectable.

One thing you can't deny....Torog is honest, and will tell you what he really believes. Too many people are spineless and wishy washy to have the guts to speak their mind. Agree or disagree, I'd much rather know what a person really thinks than to be strung along never knowing which way the wind is blowing.