Iowa Caucuses '08

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Are these people so completely lost in their tribal identity that they can't see any virtue to compromise and cooperation?

We need a smiley that's pointing at it's nose for this comment. You have, I believe, brought down the whole thing to one question. Regrettably, the answer is a Yes.

The partisans want to win the fight, conquer the city and hit exterminate. Enslaving for long-term gain might be barely acceptable, but simply living and let living will not do. Ideological blood must be shed.

The last time we were this divided was at the turn of the 19th. Today's parties are every bit as rabidly partisan and vindictive. Jackson then came in, ran roughshod over everybody, and things calmed for a few years until the slavery expansion fight degenerated into bloodshed (reading Kerns Goodwin on Lincoln right now, wonderful book.).