When the stakes are as high as they are today, and the waring parties sink further into attack mode, having an open mind is considered a liability. Lack of tolerance is applauded by leaders of the mob as civility evaporates. Here on the Fray, and every other political board or forum it's the same sad story. "Expecting more or less is not pathalogical, but dumb".

Displaying any kind of doubt or uncertainty is considered a sign of cowardice or worse still; treachery. Zealots willing to do or say what more thoughtful individuals refuse are carrying the day. Bolder, ruder and louder are the new measures of party loyalty and patriotism. These conditions are not unique to this campaign or this time in history. We are trapped in a quagmire of our own making. And it's not simply the war that we can blame for these conditions. In desperate times, Brutes hungry for some desperate victory, will always chose the sledge hammer over the key.